Book 2

Chapter 1

Claire Simpson had loved her boyfriend Zane Gray for ten years,-only to find out he’d already had a child with someone else.

Standing outside the private lounge, she watched as he cradled the baby with tender devotion, murmuring to his friends:

“Keep this quiet for now. If word gets out about me and Emma having a child, Claire will

come running back to make a scene.”

Ten years of loving him. Ten years of believing his promise when she confessed her feelings before leaving the country-

“When you come home, we’ll be together.”

A hollow lie.

This time, there were no tears. No screaming accusations.

Because she had already decided to let go of him completely.

“Zane, you’ve made such a big deal of the baby’s celebration. Aren’t you worried Claire

might know about it?” someone asked.

Zane gazed at his sleeping daughter in the stroller, his expression softer than Claire had

ever seen.

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“My little angel’s celebration deserves to be grand.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve had the news contained. She won’t know.”

“Even if she does, I’ll use the opportunity to make things clear with her. The only reason I’m

keeping it from her now is that.I’m worried she’ll ruin the celebration I’ve carefully

planned.”

“You know how Claire is–she has no sense of boundaries. She’s nothing like a well–bred

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The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marriage’s Worst Nightmare

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Chapter 1

lady should be.”

Standing outside the door, Claire could hear the conversation clearly through the crack. Her

entire body felt ice–cold.

Did Zane really hate her?

But he had explicitly told her he liked her.

Just a few days ago, he said he missed her. She immediately pulled several all–nighters to finish her recent coursework and took a special leave to fly back.

She’d originally wanted to surprise him.

But instead, she uncovered this brutal truth–he had been deceiving her all along.

No one noticed Claire outside as the conversation continued in the room.

I

“Your stepsister’s obsessive crush must’ve been exhausting. No wonder you’re so done with that drama. Glad you finally shook her off–now you’re speedrunning life, huh?”

“By the way, are you planning to keep next month’s wedding news under wraps too? Won’t

that be unfair to your wife?”

Zane kissed his daughter in the stroller:

“I’ll leave it for now. I’ll find an appropriate time to clarify things with Claire.”

“Whatever happens, I won’t let Emma be slighted.”

Just then, Emma Carroll walked out of the private rest area with a baby bottle.

“Zane, don’t worry about me. Claire is just young and immature. I’m sure once she grows up a bit more, she’ll understand.”

Someone immediately flattered her:

“Damn, our sister–in–law’s got class! No wonder Zane is so devoted. If I married someone like you, I’d be spoiling her rotten 24/7.”

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The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marriage’s Worst Nightmare

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Chapter 1

“For real though–Claire’s supposed to be your bestie, Emma, so how come she didn’t pick up even half your grace? Girl’s pushing thirty and still acts like a damn manchild. So cringe.”

The room erupted in laughter.

Outside, Claire’s heart clenched painfully, almost stopping.

They were right–she and Emma had been best friends for over ten years.

Before leaving for her studies, Claire had specifically asked Emma to keep an eye on Zane for her.

“Don’t worry,” Emma had promised cheerfully, even thumping her chest for emphasis. “I’ll guard your precious man like a hawk!”

Now, barely a year later, their daughter was already a month old.

Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that the cliché “best friend steals husband” trope from trashy TV dramas would play out in her own life.