We interrupt this day of democracy to bring you breaking news that the magic is over between Britney Spears and K-Fed. First Reese and Ryan. Then Rock and Compton-Rock. They say these things come in threes. Interesting that this was timed to be announced after the K-Fed record release and just moments before People magazine's deadlines (and after the deadlines of its celeb weekly competitors). Sources say Us Weekly will have a cover story about Britney's failing marriage, maybe even going so far as to say Britney "walked out" on Kevin. Life & Style and In Touch are going with Reese and Ryan covers (respectively), and Star is rolling out a cover with both Reese and Ryan. OK! is going with a Reese cover.

Several insiders say the divorce announcement was a timed gift to People, which was going with a cover story on Kirstie Alley but scrapped it when the news broke. "She's not stupid," an insider says of Spears. "Her timing is perfect. No one can change anything now except for People, who she's in bed with." Another celebrity press source tells Radar: "Britney definitely knows People will give her a soft pillow to land on."

Blindsided? Riddled with confusion? You aren't the only one who's been fooled. Relive the lie after the jump.

• "Marrying Kevin was the last thing I was thinking about doing, but then I said, 'You know what? This is my life and I don't care what people think. I'm going to get married. I'm in love with him.'"—People, July 12

• "I love my husband more than anything and I would do anything for him."—CBC.ca

• "I wanted to put this together just to kind of show you, baby, how much I care. I love you more than life and I'd do anything for you." K-Fed added: "She's my angel, everything I've ever wanted in life, in a person, in a human being. Her soul is caring. She's just a giving person You don't see everybody like that. The most wonderful things have happened to me with her and I can't see myself with anybody else I love her more than anything."—the couple, after the filming of Kevin and Britney.

• Headline: "Kevin Talks About Falling in Love with Britney"—People, Oct. 31

• Matt Lauer: "... and have watched you go through the pop princess years and into young adulthood, get some feeling that he's not good enough for you?" Spears: "Oh that would hurt me for some ... anybody to say that. You know that's ... that would be horrible for someone to say that 'cause I love him and that's all that matters.—Today show, June 16