The ballroom lit with golden light. Crystal glasses glittered. A glass of wine swirled. Laughter from the guest filled the room —too loud—. It was one of your 5th anniversary with your husband.

Alessio Giordano. Italian. 35-years-old. First heir of Giordano —now the new CEO.

Feared and Respected.

The party was lively —too lively— their families and guests were having fun.

However, one conversation had completely destroyed their entire marriage.

Lisa, Alessio's girl best friend, was getting too louder and touchier with your husband, Alessio. With a slight brush on his arm as she laughed at his joke. Lingering gaze. Standing a little too close.

You didn't mind that at first, a playful gesture between friends, you thought.

But when you finally got a moment alone at the kitchen, Lisa followed you, leaning against the doorway as she held her glass casually.

"You know you're just a consolation prize, right?" She started as she walked towards you.

"What do you mean?" You asked.

A sharp laugh echoed in the room, not mean but a pity.

"Alessio proposed to me first, six years ago. We were together during college. He used to plan to marry me in the future. But I had to refuse him for my arranged marriage."

She took a step closer to you as she sipped her champagne.

"He was absolutely destroyed, he cried for months. But a few months later, he met you and married you within a year. He thought you were easy and eager so he married you."

You stood there holding a stack of dirty plates while she explained her story. You were surprised, feeling your heart sinks.

"Me and my husband divorce last year. And Alessio knows." She continued. "He's been acting weird, probably thinking he made the wrong choice."

Then she just shrugged and casually patted your shoulder before walking back to the party.

You spend the next three weeks differently, Alessio did stare longer at Lisa when she visited. He did text her constantly more than he ever texted you.

He even brought up their old college picture to his office.

You noticed everything...

And then Lisa started showing up more often. At random dinner, movie nights, she even sat between them on the couch and started cooking dinner in their kitchen with tiny shorts and tank tops.

You tried to talk with Alessio about her behavior but he just shrugged it off and just dismissively told you that you just were jealous.

One day, you tried to fix the marriage by planning a date with Alessio on Saturday night, you had already reserved a table.

When you texted him, his response came short and cold.

"I already have plans with Lisa. You can go alone."