Chapter 1

The day my appendicitis flared up, I was in agonizing pain.

The doctors said I needed immediate surgery, but they required next-of-kin authorization on the insurance paperwork, and I was in too much pain to think.

I called my husband, Ethan, dozens of times, but every single call went unanswered.

It wasn't until my best friend, Sarah, rushed over from thirty miles away that I was finally wheeled into the operating room.

When the anesthesia wore off, I lay in the hospital bed, pale and drained.

My phone buzzed. An Instagram notification popped up with a video from Melody.

In the video, Ethan's eyes were flushed with excitement as he cheered loudly for Melody, who was shining on stage. He was even holding a pink light-up wand with her name on it.

No wonder I couldn't reach him. While I was writhing in pain on a hospital bed, fighting for my life, he was busy playing the devoted fanboy at his first love's comeback concert.

Whenever Melody needed him, Ethan would drop me in a heartbeat.

I looked up at the ceiling and let out a bitter, relieved laugh. This marriage was truly over.

I dialed my brother, Sebastian.

"I'm coming home. I'll take over the family empire."