Chapter 2

He walks in cheerfully, smiling from ear to ear. As if he just experienced something wonderful. "Sorry, Cora, I have to go on a business trip during the holiday again. Can't be with you." "Our boss just loves using me for everything, doesn't even let me spend time with you."

"Help me pack, we need to leave soon." I scrutinize his expression. Calm and composed,

no hint of guilt for lying to me. He's even urging me to pack his luggage.

"Cora, do you remember where you put the suit you bought me last year?

I can't find it." "And pick a few ties for me, I'll need them for work." A strong wave of nausea surges in me, like a tide ready to swallow me whole. He's going to wear the clothes I bought,

with ties I chose, to marry Adeline. For a moment, I don't know whether I'm more pitiful or Adeline is.

Seeing my cold expression, Jasper thinks I'm upset about him leaving, throwing a little tantrum.

He sighs, softening his tone slightly, "Cora, be good. I don't want to leave, but work is important. I'll be back soon." His lame excuse makes me want to laugh. I push him away.

Jasper's job is a cultural relics restorer, often going to remote places for large restoration projects.

I used to complain about this and his boss. Now, it seems I misjudged. Seeing me still cold, Jasper loses patience, frowning, "Adeline and I are just friends. Do you have to nitpick over something so small?"

"It's been so long, and you still doubt us?" He didn't need to remind me.

A month ago, Jasper said he was on a work trip restoring ancient buildings. That night, I heard there was a landslide, and everyone was out of contact.

I immediately bought the nearest flight, worried sick.

When I got there, I found Jasper comforting Adeline, who was nestled in his arms.

Her eyes were wet, yet there was a challenging glint in them.

That led to our most intense fight in five years. Jasper downplayed it, saying they just ran into each other.

His colleagues vouched for him, "We can testify, Jasper was just comforting her.

Don't overthink it." But secretly, I've seen them giving Jasper and Adeline knowing looks, as if guarding a shared secret. Since then, Jasper and I have been in a cold war, still ongoing. Jasper sees me silent, compromising,

"Cora, I want to be with you, but my job doesn't allow it. Work is important, you understand, right?"

I grip my phone, itching to open their account and ask if this is his idea of work.

But reason suppresses the urge. I will expose them, but not here. I'll do it at their wedding.

I'll lay bare all their past, in front of everyone important to them. I won't take this lying down.