Chapter 1

Every April Fools' Day, Harvey plays a "Truth or Dare" game with his childhood friend, Mia.

Last year, they made out for three minutes in a crowded bar. The year before that, they went tandem bungee jumping.

This year, Mia spoke up again, her tone provocative: "Let's raise the stakes today. Harvey, do you dare to divorce Jenny right now and marry me?"

Cheers and whistles instantly erupted around us.

Harvey chuckled in a low voice. "Why wouldn't I dare?"

Then he turned to me. "Jenny, everyone is watching. Don't be a buzzkill."

His tone was light, as if he were organizing a party game.

"It's just an April Fools' joke. Play along with me. We'll sign the divorce papers first and cancel them tomorrow morning. I can't lose to Mia."

I had endured this for the past five years, but this time, I refused. "I'm pregnant, Harvey."

Harvey shook his head helplessly. "Jenny, you'd actually fake a pregnancy just to keep me from winning?"

He didn't believe me.

At that moment, my heart completely died for this man.

I didn't argue anymore and signed the divorce papers.

Looking at Harvey's relaxed face, he didn't know that I had no intention of ever canceling this agreement.

……

After I dropped the pregnancy bomb, Harvey froze for a split second before shaking his head helplessly and chuckling.

"Jenny, your excuses are getting more and more interesting. To stop me from winning, you'd actually fake a pregnancy? Not bad. You're better at playing April Fools' than I am this year."

Mia drawled, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Jenny, it's just a game. If you're a sore loser, just say it. Joking about pregnancy is a terrible look."

"Exactly." Harvey's hand clamped around my wrist like a vise, his grip bruising. "Let's go, hurry up. I've already contacted a lawyer. The game has begun."

He dragged me outside, taking large, rushed strides.

Five years.

Riding the coattails of my bestselling thrillers, he had built Apex Publishing from the ground up into a Wall Street darling.

Yet on this day every year, I had to endure this absurd torture from him, all for Mia.

On the way to the law firm, Harvey's sports car sped recklessly through the streets of Manhattan.

Once in the office, he snatched the divorce papers from the lawyer and slammed them right in front of me.

"Sign it, quickly. I need to take wedding photos with Mia after this." He tapped his knuckles on the desk, urging me.

I picked up the pen and stared at Harvey's flamboyant signature on the paper.

"Fine. Have it your way."

I signed my name without a moment's hesitation.

The documents were stamped, and my five-year marriage came to an absurd end just like that.

Having gotten the agreement, Harvey immediately pulled a brand-new custom suit from the trunk and changed into it, while Mia pulled out a veil and pinned it into her hair.

They had even booked a photographer in advance.

The two of them leaned in close, letting the photographer snap picture after picture, while he kept praising them for being a perfect match.

No one argued.

Sitting under the spotlight, Mia let the makeup artist meticulously work on her face.

I stood on the sidelines, watching the spectacle blankly.

Five years ago, on the day Harvey and I got married, we only had a quiet ceremony in a church. There was no grand announcement, no sweet photos like this.

Back then, Harvey said he didn't like sharing his private life with others.

Besides, he believed I would definitely become a famous author, and if people knew I was married to the boss of my publishing company, there would inevitably be gossip.

So until now, few people outside knew he was married.

But right now, Harvey was wearing a sharp suit, tightly holding Mia's waist, smiling brilliantly at the camera.

He immediately posted a photo on Instagram with the caption: Married.

Soon, countless people left likes and blessings underneath.

[What a gorgeous couple, congratulations!]

[Is this the boss of Apex Publishing? So jealous.]

Harvey waved his phone at me and explained casually, "Honey, don't worry, I'll delete it tomorrow morning. It's April Fools' Day, no one will take it seriously. Don't be mad."

My early pregnancy symptoms made my stomach churn, draining almost all the strength I had left to stand.

"Take me back to the house," I forced down the bile rising in my throat. "I need to pack my things."

I pulled open the passenger door, but before I could get in, Mia squeezed her way over.

"Jenny, if we're acting, we have to commit. Since Harvey and I are husband and wife now, this passenger seat is naturally mine." She pointed at the necklace around my neck. "And this, Harvey's wedding gift to you... it's more fitting if I wear it now, right?"

Harvey stood by the front of the car, playing the peacemaker. "Jenny, it's just for one day. Don't be petty."

I silently unclasped the necklace and handed it over.

Mia put it on triumphantly and casually tossed my scarf and perfume from the seat onto the floor mat.

Harvey gave me a helpless look.

I turned around and walked toward the curb to hail a cab.

Harvey caught up in a few strides, yanked open the rear door, and shoved me inside without a word.

"Stop throwing a tantrum. It's hard to get a cab here. Just sit down and be good."

Sensual jazz music flowed through the car.

Mia swayed her body to the rhythm. When a lingering note hit, she reached over and hooked her arm around Harvey's neck.

"Honey, I love you..."

Then she boldly kissed him on the cheek and laughed. "Just exercising my rights as your wife, is that okay?"

Harvey shook his head, looking helpless but indulgent. "Stop messing around, I'm driving."

Then he met my gaze in the rearview mirror and explained somewhat unnaturally, "This is just..."

I didn't want to hear his "just a game" speech again and calmly looked away.

Mia turned around and raised an eyebrow at me with a smirk. "Jenny, don't mind us. We grew up together. Before you even met Harvey, we played games like this all the time."

Her words sounded more like a provocation than an explanation.

I turned to look out the window, my stomach churning once again.

I closed my eyes and placed my hand over my lower abdomen.

Let this absurd game end today.