Chapter 1 Seven years into our relationship, another girl suddenly crashed into Jake's heart. I didn't cry or throw a fit. Just calmly told him to handle it. Jake struggled for three days, then sent her away. The day our parents were meeting, the news broke-one office building on fire. "She's in there. She can't…" Jake's eyes went wild as he bolted for the door. tused every ounce of strength I had left: Jake, walk out now and we're done." He froze for a second, but still never looked back. Fine, honey. This time, neither will I. I found out about her a year ago. Started as office gossip. ake from Investment was personally mentoring some undergrad intern. Their department only hired masters grads. Plus Jake hated training newbies-always said they were too slow, too needy. brushed it off. I knew Jake. He had principles. He'd never cheat. Then he started taking forever in the bathroom. Always brought his phone. That night, shower running, his laptop glowing on the desk. never snooped. But something made me look. Their chat was synced right there. he'd sent pics of homemade cake-thanking "Mr. Reed for the paper feedback." ake, who lived at the office, had somehow found time to write detailed notes on her thesis. They were texting about movies, restaurants near work… she was bubbly. He actually responded to everything. His last voice message: Rain tomorrow. Don't forget your umbrella, scatterbrain." That soft, smiling tone destroyed me. When he came out, I was back in bed, pretending. Turned away from him, crying silently until dawn. Next morning, storm clouds gathering. Jake slipped an extra umbrella into his bag. I saw it all. I was hurt, sure. But he hadn't actually cheated. Couldn't throw away seven years over this. So I called him out. Made him choose. Day three, he told me he'd fired her. Even wrote up some promise never to contact her again. "My fault for getting distracted. Don't blame her." Ashtray overflowing-he'd been chain-smoking, clearly torn up inside. That was it. Never saw her again. Never saw him smile again either. Everything looked normal. Nothing was. Maybe we were both holding grudges. Maybe it was the seven-year itch. I thought marriage might fix us. ake agreed. Quietly. ust went through the motions, zero enthusiasm. picked out gifts, booked the restaurant weeks ahead. He ditched me in front of both our families. Finally got it. Some things can't be fixed. Only thrown away.