He wrapped his arm around Claire and led her away.

I stood there, watching him walk off with another woman while I bled right in front of him.

At that moment, my phone vibrated. A message from Leon.

[I’ve finalised the plan. Tomorrow, go to the Thames bridge. I’ll take care of the rest.]

The message was like a breath of fresh air. Soon… I’ll be free of Archie’s life. Somehow.

The next morning, Archie still hadn’t come home.

I packed my things—all the designer dresses, jewellery, and gifts he had given me—and tossed them into a suitcase. Then, I retrieved our marriage certificate, the one I had once cherished so dearly, and ripped it apart. I let the pieces fall into the sink, set them alight, and watched them burn to ash.

As the last embers flickered, my phone vibrated again. A message from Archie.

[Wendy, I’ve booked the venue for our wedding celebration. My assistant will pick you up shortly.]

I stared at the message. Then, out of curiosity, I opened social media.

Claire had posted a photo.

She and Archie sat at a restaurant—the same one where our wedding celebration was supposed to be planned—holding hands across the table. Zac was in a stroller beside them, fast asleep.