My Husband Married Me For Revenge

Audrey's POV

I'd been staring at the hotel's website for so long the numbers had started to blur together. The presidential suite was beautiful, but the price beneath it made me question my sanity.

"You're seriously still thinking about it?" Cam, one of our mutual friends asked over the phone.

"It's expensive," I admitted. "I know it's our anniversary, but spending that much on one night feels excessive."

"Audrey, it's your third wedding anniversary," he said with a laugh. "You're allowed to be a little dramatic. Book the suite, enjoy the fancy dinner, and make your husband feel like the luckiest man alive."

I couldn't help smiling.

"You've actually stayed there before, right?" I asked him.

"I have, and trust me, it's worth every cent." Cam assured me.

"Alright," I said. "I'll go see it before making the reservation."

After we ended the call, I grabbed my purse and left the apartment.

Tomorrow marked three years my  marriage to Reid and I still couldn't believe I'd ended up marrying the boy I'd fallen in love with at fifteen. 

Life had changed in countless ways, but one thing never had. If anything, I loved Reid even more than I had back then.

My phone buzzed and when I checked, I saw a text message from Reid.

(Running late. Don't wait for dinner. Love you.)

A smile tugged at my lips.

(Drive safe. Love you too.) I texted back.

---

The hotel was every bit as beautiful as Cam had described. Crystal chandeliers reflected across polished marble floors, elegant flower arrangements filled the lobby with a soft fragrance, and gentle piano music completed the peaceful atmosphere. It was exactly where I wanted us to celebrate our anniversary.

"I'd like to reserve the presidential suite for tomorrow evening," I told the receptionist.

"Certainly, ma'am." She replied promptly.

While she checked the booking system, I glanced toward the elevators.

The doors opened, and a man stepped out. For a brief moment, I thought he only looked like Reid, but when he turned, my breath caught.

It was Reid.

A smile spread across my face as I wondered if he was secretly planning an anniversary surprise too.

That thought vanished the instant a tall blonde woman stepped out beside him.

She reached up and straightened his tie with effortless familiarity, and Reid smiled at her with the same warm, affectionate smile I'd always believed belonged only to me. Then I saw her face.

Blair.

My best friend,  college roommate. She was even my maid of honor when Reid and I got married. The woman I'd always considered family.

The receptionist said something, but I barely heard her. My fingers trembled as I pulled out my phone and quietly started recording.

Across the lobby, Blair rested her hand on Reid's arm while they laughed together with a comfort that looked far too natural. When she leaned a little closer to him, something inside me broke.

The recording was thirty seconds and that was all it took to shatter everything I believed about my marriage.

Every part of me wanted to walk over and demand an explanation, but instead I lowered my phone, turned around, and walked away before I completely lost control.

---

I spent the drive home replaying the video, desperately searching for another explanation. Maybe Blair had stumbled, maybe Reid had only been helping her, or maybe I had misunderstood what I'd seen.

But I hadn't because nothing changed no matter how many times I watched it.

By the time I got home, I felt emotionally drained. I wandered into our bedroom, sank onto the floor, and found myself staring at our wedding photograph.

Reid wasn't looking at the camera. He was looking at me.

"I've waited my whole life for this," he'd whispered as he slipped the ring onto my finger.

For years, I'd treasured those words. Now I couldn't stop wondering whether he'd ever meant them. The tears came before I even realized I was crying.

Why Blair? Out of every woman in the world, why did it have to be her?

We'd shared almost every important moment since college. She'd become the sister I'd never had, or at least I thought she had.

The memories carried me even further back to my childhood with Reid. Our fathers had built Calloway Technologies together, and somewhere between years of friendship and growing up side by side, we'd fallen in love. Everyone expected us to marry, and eventually we did.

Then Reid's father died.

Rumors accused my father of murder, reporters surrounded our home, and our family's reputation crumbled almost overnight. Through all of it, Reid stood beside me, defended my father, held my hand, and promised we'd get through it together.

At least...

I thought he had. When had that changed?

---

The sound of a car in the driveway pulled me from my thoughts. Reid was home.

After washing away the evidence of my tears, I heard the front door open.

"Audy?" I heard him call.

"I'm upstairs." I called back.

"There you are," he said as he walked into the bedroom. 

"You okay?" He asked immediately he saw my face 

"It's been a long day." I answered 

"I've had one too." He smiled and then... "I have a surprise for you."

"When do I find out?" I asked.

"Tomorrow, our anniversary." He replied.

I nodded as I wondered if tomorrow would be the day I would finally hear the truth.

He stepped closer, and the familiar scent of his cologne filled the room. Then an unbearable thought crossed my mind.

Had Blair stood this close to him today?

He reached for me, but before I could stop myself, I took a small step back.

"You moved," he pointed out.

"I'm just tired." I replied.

He studied me for a moment before gently brushing my hair behind my ear.

"If something's bothering you, you know you can tell me." He said.

The words almost broke me. If something was bothering him, why hadn't he told me?

Instead, he kissed my forehead and headed for the shower.

While he was gone, I looked at the video one last time before locking my phone.

That night, Reid fell asleep within minutes while I lay awake beside him, wondering how long it had been going on and whether everyone had known except me.

Tomorrow should have been a celebration of three years of marriage.

Instead, it would decide whether the life I'd built with the man I loved had been founded on love...

Or on a lie.