Betrayed on April Fool's Day, I abandoned my husband

"Going somewhere, Clara?"

The slurred, heavy voice belonged to Marcus. He stumbled up the driveway, clutching a fresh case of beer against his chest.

"I'm leaving, Marcus," I said.

"Party's just getting good," he muttered, tripping over a crack in the pavement.

I sidestepped him. The cool night air bit through my thin sweatshirt. Before I reached my car door, a burst of laughter from the house made me stop. I turned my head toward the massive bay window. The curtains were wide open, putting the kitchen on full display.

Jason stood frozen by the marble island. He stared at the divorce papers. He genuinely hadn't expected me to call his bluff.

Zoe��s voice carried through the open front doorway. "Well, look at that. She finally grew a spine. Good for her."

Her tone held zero praise. It was pure mockery.

"She actually signed the damn thing," Jason said, his brows pulling together.

"Forget her, Jase," Greg yelled, slapping the counter. "Don't let her ruin the vibe!"

"Yeah, man!" another guy shouted from the back. "Kiss the real prize!"

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

The chant erupted. It bounced off the walls and spilled out onto the front lawn.

I watched my husband. The man who promised me loyalty. He looked at Zoe, then at the cheering crowd. He didn't push her away. He leaned forward.

That was it. The final thread holding my marriage together snapped.

Before their lips met, Jason stopped. He pulled back and glanced toward the open door. He took a single step in my direction.

Zoe grabbed his arm. Her manicured nails dug into his bicep. "Let her go, Jason."

"She took the car keys," Jason muttered. "Maybe I should stop her."

"She's throwing a tantrum," Zoe said, sliding her hand down his chest. "Clara won't really leave. You know she can't survive without you."

Jason frowned. "She looked pissed."

"Just ignore her," Zoe purred. "Give her the cold shoulder. She'll be back in a few days, begging you to let her come home. They always come crawling back when you freeze them out."

Jason stared at the empty doorway. Then, a smug smile tipped the corner of his mouth. "You're right. Let her freeze out there. She'll realize how good she has it."

He turned his back to the door. He grabbed Zoe's waist and pulled her flush against him.

I didn't stay to watch the rest.

I yanked my car door open, slid into the driver's seat, and shoved the key into the ignition. I sped out of the neighborhood, leaving the thumping bass behind.

I drove aimlessly for twenty minutes before pulling into the parking lot of the Oakridge Country Club. Jason used to drag me here for his corporate dinners. The grand stone building sat completely dark at this hour.

I parked my sedan, stepped out into the crisp night air, and leaned against my car door. I needed to feel the solid ground under my feet.

I pulled out my phone and dialed the only person I trusted.

"Hello?" Maya's sleep-heavy voice answered on the second ring.

"I need a place to stay," I said, staring out at the empty golf course. "I'm coming back to Seattle."

Silence stretched over the line for a second. Then, rustling sheets. "Clara? What happened?"

"Jason cheated on me."

"I'm going to kill him," Maya snapped, her voice turning sharp. "Where are you right now? Are you safe?"

"I'm standing outside the Oakridge Club."

"Get to the airport," she ordered. "I'll pay for the ticket. Just get out of there."

"I have enough money," I told her.

"How? He controls all your accounts."

"I've been selling my old jewelry online for the past six months. I kept the cash in a secret app."

"Good," Maya said. "Book the flight. Do not answer his calls."

"I won't."

"Promise me, Clara. Don't look back."

"I promise. I'll text you my flight details."

I ended the call. Standing alone outside the silent club, I opened a travel website.

I typed in Seattle.

"One way. Tonight."

I found a red-eye flight departing in two hours. I hit purchase. The confirmation screen loaded, displaying my booking code in bright green letters.

I locked my phone and dropped it into my pocket. I was really doing this.

Suddenly, a pair of headlights swept across the pavement.

A sleek black SUV pulled into the empty lot. It didn't park in a designated space. It drove straight toward me and stopped a few feet away.

My heart hammered against my ribs. Did Jason follow me? Did he realize I wasn't coming back?

The driver's side door opened. A tall figure stepped out into the dim glow of the streetlamps.

He wore a tailored dark suit. He didn't move like Jason. He walked with a quiet, terrifying authority.

He stopped a few paces from me, his hands sliding into his pockets.

"Are you going to get on that flight, Clara?" he asked.

I tightened my grip on my phone. "Who are you?"

"Someone who hates your husband as much as you do," the man said, his piercing gray eyes locking onto mine. "Get in the car. We have a lot to discuss."