After ten years of marriage, my husband William posted his first family photo—and it was with my ex bestie, Melissa. They stood together, arms around my son Robert and her daughter Anabelle, smiling at the camera, with the caption: "How could this not be the perfect family?" Seeing it, I left a comment below: “You look perfect together.” Moments later, the post disappeared. The next day, William stormed in. “Melissa was improving. Why did you have to upset her?” Robert shoved me, scowling. "It's your fault! You made Annie cry!" I threw the divorce papers at them. “You’re right. It’s all my fault. I’m stepping aside. You four can be the perfect family.”

Chapter 1

Ten years into my marriage, my former best friend, Melissa Hamilton, posted a photo.

In it, her daughter, Anabelle Hamilton, and my son, Robert Anderson, were held close by her and my husband, William Anderson.

The four of them stood together, smiling. Her caption read, "How could this not be the perfect family?"

I left a comment under it: "You look perfect together."

Moments later, the post disappeared.

The next day, William stormed home and demanded, "Melissa was finally starting to get better. Why did you have to upset her?"

Robert shoved me, scowling. "It's your fault! You made Annie cry!"

I pulled out the divorce papers and threw them in their faces. "You're right. It's all my fault. So I'm stepping aside—you four can be the perfect family."

The divorce papers had been printed barely half an hour earlier.

Before that, I had spent the entire night sitting on the living room couch.

On the dining table sat a dozen untouched dishes I had carefully prepared.

Even