Chapter 1

My husband Alex claimed the color red sent him into a violent, blind rage. So in our entire marriage, I dared to wear red only twice.

The first time landed me in the ER with thirteen stitches. The second time, he beat me so badly I lost our three-month-old baby.

After that, I never wore red again. I even dressed head-to-toe in white, from skin out, terrified of triggering him.

The day I was discharged after my miscarriage,I saw him. My husband should have been working late, but instead, he was feeding a young woman. I recognized her. She was his student.

His eyes were filled with such tender love, and they couldn't keep their hands off each other. They melted into an intimate dance.

Just then, my phone rang. It was the doctor, his voice buzzing with excitement.

"Mrs. Thorne, we've developed a new treatment specifically for Mr. Thorne's condition...."

I watched the girl's fiery red dress swirl as they danced, a bitter, hollow laugh escaping my lips.

"Don't bother," I whispered. "The problem has already been solved."