Chapter 2
A secluded mountain retreat.
Two rooms, separated by a wall.
The reality show was being streamed live on Instagram.
There was an observation room on–site, while outside, the Instagram comments were rolling in, with
messages and emojis flooding the screen.
@F1Fan123: “Jax and Vivienne on a divorce reality show? In one room? This is insane!!”
@TeamJax: “They’ve got amazing chemistry! They’re perfect for each other!”
@Hater007: “Called it! Jax and his wife had zero spark. No one likes the one holding them back.”
@ExWifeHater: “I’ve been waiting for their divorce for ages! That woman needed to go!”
@JaxLover: “He was blind to fall for her in the first place… My heart hurts for Jax.”
The staff attached heart rate monitors to Jax and Vivienne.
“Once your heart rates reach 70, you can leave the room,” the director explained.
@SpeedDemon: “They’ll smash that in seconds! Duh!”
However, reality slapped everyone in the face. Both of their heart rates remained stuck at 68, frustratingly close but not quite there.
In private, he and Vivienne had done everything. They were too familiar, and now they didn’t dare get too close on camera, fearing they’d give themselves away.
This “Ex Effect” challenge was far more complex than they imagined.
@ViviQueen: “Vivienne is so polite, not even trying to get too close. She’s so sweet.”
@JaxFan: “Jax, don’t hold back! We’re rooting for you! Follow your heart!”
Vivienne sat near the door, her gaze often drifting towards the balcony.
Jax stood on the balcony, getting some air. Through a small gap, he could see into my room.
1
Is Your Romedy to Forget Your Ex
6.2%
Caspian hadn’t arrived yet.
Alone, with my heart rate monitor on, I sat on the bed, waiting for the man who was about to change my destiny.
There was a knock at the door.
A tall man stood there.
A baseball cap concealed half his face, strands of hair on his forehead damp with the mist from the
spa, and he carried a clean, refreshing scent like a rain–soaked forest.
@CaspianIsBack: “My golden boy is back!!!”
@JaxVsCaspian: “Well, Jax, no comparison. This guy is truly dazzling.”
@NoMoreDrama: “Stop the comparisons! Focus on your own fave.”
“You have to put this on,” I said calmly, handing Caspian the other heart rate monitor.
Jax was always sensitive about people saying he looked like Caspian. They were clearly the same type of men, but Caspian possessed an aura that Jax could never replicate.
In the first year of our marriage, Jax and I were walking down a street late at night when I got transfixed by a massive ad for Caspian’s luxury watch. Jax, annoyed, would pull my hat over my face, saying with a hint of bitterness, “I knew you liked that type.”
Now.
In the other room, Jax was on the balcony.
He was watching everything clearly.
Watching Caspian walk into the room and close the door behind him.
Watching him put on the monitor.
Jax knew deep down that he could never measure up to the man he was so jealous of, the man who had married Vivienne through a family arrangement. He knew that Caspian didn’t care about Vivienne, and he certainly wouldn’t be interested in a divorced woman like me who was of no value to him.
Jax scoffed, acting as if he didn’t care.
6.4%
Chapter 2
He was observing my reactions closely, wanting to see despair and resentment on my face.
“Hello, Daisy.” Caspian said, his voice deep and magnetic.
My reading stayed at 50. I reached out my hand to Caspian.
“Hello, Caspian.”
He took my hand, and at the moment of contact, I felt like I’d been electrocuted.
Seconds later, the heart rate monitor let out a sharp, piercing beep.
Caspian’s reading had immediately maxed out.
But he was as calm as anyone, acting as if none of it concerned him.
“The monitor’s faulty,” he said.
“Oh,” I replied.
