The night air in San Francisco carried the damp chill of the Pacific as it crept onto the terrace. Dressed in a thin velvet gown, Luna shivered as goosebumps prickled across her bare arms.
On the other end of the line, Mia's voice spiked with alarm when she heard Luna's choked sobs."Where are you? What happened? Did Ethan hurt you?"
"I'm on the terrace at the Four Seasons… during the launch party." Luna sniffed, fighting to steady her voice, though the words still trembled out. "Mia, I found another woman's earring in Ethan's jacket pocket. And just now, that same woman walked in—standing right by his side."
"Which woman?" Mia's voice hardened with anger. "Don't tell me it's that Nova Tech marketing director I warned you about—the one named Chloe?"
Luna froze, startled. "You… how do you know her?"
"Last time I was in San Francisco doing a celebrity gig, I met an intern from Nova Tech. She told me their female director was practically glued to the CEO—always throwing her weight around because of her family connections." Mia's tone softened a little. "Listen, don't just stand out there in the cold. You'll catch pneumonia. If you don't want to stay at the party, then leave. I can drive over right now, or you could check into a hotel for the night."
Through the glass doors, Luna could see Ethan inside, holding a champagne flute and laughing with an investor. Chloe was practically leaning against him, whispering into his ear, looking every bit the intimate partner.
Luna drew a deep breath. "No… I'll stay a little longer. At least until the party's over. If I walk out now, he'll just say I'm being 'immature' again."
When the call ended, she leaned against the cold railing, her gaze fixed on the glittering span of the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.
Five years ago, on this very night, Ethan had proposed to her under the stars in Central Park. He had just secured his first angel investment, standing nervously in a rented suit with a modest diamond ring clutched in his sweaty palm.
"Luna, I don't have much now, but I swear I'll give you the best life. Please—be my wife."
Back then, she believed she was the happiest woman alive. She hadn't cared about his bank account, only the sincerity in his eyes. And yes, Ethan had kept his promise—lavish villa, designer handbags, a place in Silicon Valley's glittering social world. But the one thing he lost along the way was the only thing that had mattered: his true heart.
The terrace door creaked open. A deliberately sweet voice pierced the night."Luna! Why are you out here all alone? Ethan's been looking everywhere for you."
Chloe stepped out, carrying two glasses of champagne, her smile saccharine. The red gown clung to her body like flames, and the pearls dangling from her ears caught the light, stabbing into Luna's eyes.
"I just needed some air," Luna said evenly, refusing to take the glass Chloe offered.
Unbothered, Chloe took a sip herself, then drifted to the railing beside her, leaning in. "Five years married to Ethan, huh? I really admire you, Luna—you take such good care of him. Unlike me, always running around with work. I barely even have time for a date."
Luna's lips curved in the faintest, coldest smile. "With your talent and success, Chloe, I don't imagine you'll have trouble finding someone suitable."
"But don't you think a man like Ethan is worth it?" Chloe tilted her head toward the hall, eyes lingering on him. "He's brilliant, generous, thoughtful. Just the other night, I was working late, and he sent his secretary over with hot coffee and dessert. Said it wasn't good for women to stay up too late. Oh—and this."
She lifted her wrist. A limited-edition Patek Philippe sparkled under the terrace lights. "He gave it to me after the product launch. Said it was a reward for my hard work."
Luna's nails bit into her palm. She remembered Ethan's trip to Switzerland last month—he'd told her he was buying the watch for "an important investor."
So this was the "investor."
"Chloe," Luna turned fully to her, voice like a blade of ice, "Ethan is my husband. I know better than anyone how he treats me. Whatever 'professional friendship' you think you share with him—keep it in check, before people start getting the wrong idea."
For a second, Chloe's smile cracked. Then she recovered with a smirk. "Oh, don't be so tense. It's just business. But come on—men get bored. You spend your days cooking and running a house; Ethan spends his leading a company, dreaming big. He needs someone to share that world with. Don't you think?"
The words sliced straight into Luna's chest. She thought of the day she had given up her gallery job, moving to Silicon Valley to stand by Ethan, believing they would grow together. Instead, her world had shrunk to his laundry and breakfast, while his had expanded beyond her reach.
"I should go back inside," Luna said coldly, stepping toward the door.
But she nearly collided with Ethan as he appeared. His eyes flickered when he saw Chloe beside her. "Why'd you leave without a word? An investor was asking for you."
"It was stuffy. I needed air." Luna brushed past him.
Trailing her, Ethan lowered his voice. "What did you say to Chloe? She didn't look happy."
Luna stopped, turning to face him. "Are you more worried about her expression—or about why I had to step outside in the first place?"
His face hardened. "Luna, how many times have I told you? Don't embarrass me in public. Chloe's been critical to the company. Tonight is her night—you can't cause drama."
"I didn't cause drama," Luna said, exhaustion seeping into her voice. "I just think boundaries should be respected."
She didn't wait for his response. She collected her coat, watching through the glass as Ethan returned to Chloe's side, leaning close to reassure her.
Outside, the wind cut sharper against her skin. Her phone buzzed—Ethan's text: "Spending the night with investors. Don't wait up."
Her chest constricted with bitter laughter. Tonight was their fifth anniversary. She had baked cookies that morning, hoping for a quiet celebration. He hadn't just forgotten—he had replaced it with Chloe.
She thought of their early years. Ethan had never missed a date back then. Always gifts, always reservations, always love. When had it all dissolved into excuses?
At the bus stop, she sat alone on a cold bench until Mia's car pulled up. Her friend leapt out, draping her own down jacket around Luna's shivering shoulders. "You're crazy—sitting here in the cold? What were you thinking?"
Luna collapsed against her, sobbing. "Mia, he forgot our anniversary. Worse—he spent it with her."
Mia stroked her back gently. "Then forget him. He doesn't deserve your tears. Come back to L.A. with me, or let me stay here with you. We'll figure out the next step."
"I can't leave. Not yet. I need answers."
Mia sighed, but drove her back to the villa. Luna sat in silence, staring at the blur of headlights rushing past the window, her heart hollow.
The house was dark when she entered. She didn't turn on the lights, just drifted into the kitchen. The glass box of cookies still sat untouched in the fridge. She set them on the counter, opened the lid. Cold, lifeless—like her heart.
She nibbled one. The taste was the same, but the sweetness was gone. She remembered Ethan's first bite years ago, how his eyes had lit up. "These are better than Michelin desserts, Luna. I want them every day."
Now he hadn't even noticed them.
At last, the sound of a car in the driveway. Luna straightened, clutching the earring in her pocket, ready for the confrontation.
Ethan stepped in, scowling at the darkened living room. "Why no lights? Trying to scare me?" He flipped the switch, spotting her by the doorway. "Why aren't you in bed?"
"I was waiting for you." Her voice was calm, too calm. "Do you know what today is? Our fifth wedding anniversary."
His face flickered, then he forced a sheepish grin. "Oh, right. Damn, I've been swamped. Slipped my mind. I'll make it up to you, okay?"
"Make it up? Ethan, anniversaries aren't something you 'forget and reschedule.' Tell me the truth. Were you really with investors tonight—or with Chloe?"
His expression soured. "Luna, stop being paranoid. I said I was working."
"Paranoid?" She pulled the pearl earring from her pocket and laid it before him. "I found this in your jacket this morning. It's not mine. And tonight, Chloe was wearing the exact same pair. Explain that."
He blanched, stepping back. "I told you—it's a client's, must've fallen in. Has nothing to do with Chloe!"
"What client wears girlish pink pearls like these? And your jacket—" she inhaled, trembling, "—still reeks of Chloe's fruity perfume. What excuse do you have for that?"
"We're colleagues. Maybe she stood too close at the party." He avoided her gaze, muttering, "I'm tired. We'll talk tomorrow."
She blocked his path. "No. We talk now. Five years, Ethan. I gave up my career, my dreams, for us. Was it all a lie?" Her tears streamed unchecked.
For a flicker of a moment, guilt flashed in his eyes—but it hardened to irritation. "Enough! Stop crying like a child. I told you, there's nothing between us. But if you keep this up, maybe we can't go on."
The words cut like knives.
"You mean it?" Her voice broke. "You've already outgrown me, haven't you? From the moment you made it big, you decided I wasn't good enough."
He said nothing. Just shoved past her and slammed the bedroom door.
She stood frozen, trembling. The lights glared overhead, but her world was darker than ever.
Minutes passed. Then she heard his voice, muffled through the door, low and tender—tones he hadn't used with her in years."Hey, Chloe… Yeah, I'm home. Don't worry, she didn't make a scene. I'll handle it… Okay. See you tomorrow."
The last shards of Luna's heart shattered.
Hands shaking, she dialed Noah. He picked up after several rings, voice groggy with sleep. "Luna? What's wrong?"
Her sobs choked out the words. "Noah… you once said if I ever needed legal help, you'd be there. I… I need your help now."
His voice sharpened instantly. "Tell me. Did Ethan hurt you?"
Luna drew a long, steadying breath. "I want a divorce."
The words lifted a crushing weight from her chest. Painful, yes—but also freeing. She could no longer live in this golden cage.
Silence. Then Noah's voice came firm and sure. "Okay. I'll help you. Are you safe right now? I'll be in San Francisco first thing tomorrow. We'll figure this out together."
Through the window, the night stretched endless and dark. But Luna's tears finally stilled. Saying divorce had opened a door she hadn't dared touch before.
She walked to the kitchen, lifted the glass box, and emptied the cookies into the trash. Then she powered up her laptop, opening the old "Curatorial Projects" folder. The plans she'd once shelved stared back at her, and in their reflection, her eyes grew resolute.
She would reclaim herself—her dignity, her dreams, her life.
From the bedroom came Ethan's muffled laughter, soft and intimate with Chloe.
Luna turned away. She packed a small bag, messaged Mia: "I'm going back to L.A. with you tomorrow."
Lying in the guest room afterward, staring at the ceiling, she felt a dull ache in her chest. Yet alongside it came a strange lightness.
The nightmare was ending.
Her rebirth had just begun.