When His Only Moon Escaped

At my wedding, my husband, Julian Thorne, left me at the altar for his ex-girlfriend, Blair Covington.

His idea of compensation was the card for a high-end companion service and a black card with no spending limit.

After three straight months of waiting in an empty bridal suite, I told Julian I wanted a divorce.

"Is this your new trick to get my attention?"

Julian finally deigned to look up from his documents, a mocking glint in his eyes.

"If you're bored, I can rent out any shop on Fifth Avenue for you. You don't need to pull stunts like this."

His phone lit up. Julian glanced at it, then stood to leave.

"I don't have time for your games. Blair's flight just landed."

The sheer absurdity of it all hit me as I looked at the man who had promised me a lifetime just four months ago.

"Julian, I'm not kidding."

"I don't want you anymore."

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1

Julian chuckled.

"Why so serious? You're no fun."

He ruffled my hair as if I were a pet he was placating.

"Alright, stop making a scene. I'm incredibly busy today."

"If you're that unhappy, just wait until Blair leaves in a few days. I'll even set aside a whole day just for you. How does that sound?"

Before I could speak, Julian turned to his assistant.

"Are the preparations ready?"

The assistant immediately stepped forward and rattled off the arrangements.

"The car for Miss Covington is arranged—the model she prefers."

"Her favorite champagne is chilled and waiting in the car."

"The custom gift you selected, as well as the reservation at the vegan French restaurant, are all confirmed."

Julian listened, then gave his assistant a few more last-minute instructions.

"Tell the restaurant to dim the lights. Blair finds bright lighting too harsh."

"Have her favorite band on standby. I want the music to start the moment we arrive to set the mood."

"Instruct the head chef that tonight's dessert must be vegan."

"All the fresh flowers must be pollen-free."

...

Julian continued giving instructions for ten minutes.

His attention to detail was staggering; he even specified the thread count for the party napkins.

Only then did he seem satisfied.

"Got all that?"

Blair had been gone for eight years, yet Julian still remembered every single one of her preferences.

Julian finally spared me another glance.

"Hmm? Why are you still here?"

"Oh, right. Your compensation."

"Like we agreed. If I'm spending my time and energy on Blair, it's only fair that I make it up to you."

Julian glanced at the pile of gifts on the table intended for Blair.

A few smaller boxes sat beside them.

His eyes swept over the boxes, as if briefly weighing which trinket to toss my way.

Finally, he gave up, pulled a black card from his wallet, and held it out to me.

"A black card. Go buy yourself something."

"I don't have the patience to pick something out for you."

When he saw I made no move to take it, Julian raised an eyebrow.

"What, not enough?"

I shook my head and stubbornly repeated my question.

"You still remember everything Blair likes?"

Julian let out a soft laugh. "There's nothing to remember or not remember."

"Pleasing Blair... at this point, it's instinct."