Chapter 1

My best friend was a "mistress breakup consultant".

I had lent her money to start her business, and her very first job turned out to be breaking up my own marriage.

"Jessie, what's the point of a loveless marriage? You've wasted Harold's time for five years. Are you really going to keep clinging to him and making him miserable for the rest of his life?" my best friend asked.

I laughed at the self-righteous nonsense she was spouting and had security escort her out.

She came right back, though, this time with a so-called "Anti-Mistress Alliance", live-streaming the chaos as they broke into my company.

"The one who isn't loved is the real intruder!"

"Fight for love at all costs!"

They chanted while smashing up my office.

I watched them calmly, waiting until they wore themselves out before pulling out a contract.

"The 100,000 dollars you borrowed from me has been overdue for six months. If you don't repay it soon, I'll be forced to take legal action.

"And, the lab equipment you've destroyed is valued at 5,550,000 dollars. You'll need to compensate me at full price.

"Otherwise, I'll see you in court."

-

It was during lunch break when my best friend, Bethany Liefeld, walked into my office.

"Jessie, I need to discuss something work-related," she said, sitting upright with a serious expression.

I immediately understood, reached for my phone, and asked, "How much do you need?"

Bethany had studied psychology in college but struggled to find a job after graduating. Eventually, she decided to start her own business.

Money was not something I lacked, and I knew how hard it was to get a business off the ground. If I could help, I always would.

Bethany's cheeks flushed slightly. "No, I'm not here to borrow money."

I paused, confused. "Then what is it?"

There was no overlap between our work, so aside from asking for money, I had no idea what she could possibly want to discuss.

Bethany took a deep breath as if gathering courage for a final confrontation.

"Jessie, you know I work as a breakup consultant, right? A few days ago, I received a request from a new client to..." She hesitated before continuing. "To persuade you to back off."

I froze, unable to believe what I was hearing.

My husband, Harold Sullivan, and I had gone from wearing school uniforms to wedding attire together. Our families and friends were all well acquainted. I was certain I wasn't the mistress here.

How could she possibly have received a request to break up my marriage?

"Wait, this has to be a mistake. Harold and I have been married for three years. How could I possibly be the mistress?" I asked.

Bethany's expression shifted, becoming more businesslike.

"Jessica Whalen, you may be Harold Sullivan's lawful wife, but it's clear he's already having an affair. Why not just let go?" she said.

I stared at her in disbelief. "So, you're telling me you took the mistress' commission to get rid of me, his actual wife?"

A breakup consultant's job was to get rid of mistresses, as the name implied. And now she was taking the mistress's side to remove me?

For the first time, I began doubting Bethany's character.

She met my gaze, calm as ever, and then nodded with righteous conviction.

"Jessie, don't misunderstand. If it were any other mistress, I wouldn't have accepted. But you're my friend. I can't just sit back and do nothing," she proclaimed.

My mind spun in turmoil as I reached for my phone. "Let me ask Harold."

I couldn't believe it. Harold, that thick-headed man, would never cheat on me. He worked at my family's research institute, and between work and home, there was no time for an affair.

Before I could dial, Bethany snatched the phone from my hand. "Jessie, do you really think a man would admit to cheating? What's the point of asking him?"

I frowned. "So, what are you suggesting?"

"Just divorce him," Bethany said firmly. "What's there to discuss with a cheating man?"

I watched her, her eagerness almost palpable.

After a moment, I asked, "Then tell me, who's the mistress?"

Bethany immediately shook her head. "I can't. I have to keep my client's information confidential."

I laughed in frustration. "You won't tell me who the mistress is and won't let me verify with Harold. You just want me to divorce him without any proof? Do you think that's reasonable?"

Bethany nodded as if it made perfect sense. "Of course. I'm your only friend, Jessie. Would I ever steer you wrong?"

I looked at her, feeling something sink inside me.

Usually, when Bethany played the "only friend" card, I gave in unconditionally. But this wasn't enough to force me into a divorce.

I shook my head. "No. I can't agree to this."

Bethany stared at me, her eyes darkening with a hint of menace.

"Jessica, you know I have plenty of ways to make you initiate a divorce and walk away with nothing. But I don't want to use those methods against you. Do you understand?" she warned.

I knew what Bethany was capable of.

She could hire someone to seduce the person in question, gather compromising photos or videos, and use them as leverage. That was how she operated.

Still, I never imagined she would turn her sights on me.