Chapter 2

Seeing me like this, Sophia's face darkened even more. She looked at me coldly, her tone carrying more anger.

"If not, then get out and buy condoms."

I said nothing, just picked up the money from the ground and went out.

After buying the stuff, I put the condoms at the door, then went back to my room and locked the door.

That night, the intimate sounds from the next room never stopped.

As if to deliberately get revenge on me, Sophia was especially gentle when saying sweet nothings to Ryan.

"Darling, I love you so much."

"You should love me forever too, never leave me, okay?"

And these sweet words were all things I used to say when making love to her before.

Back then, we didn't have much money, living in a tiny 200 square foot rental apartment, but we were so in love.

I had countless fantasies of growing old with Sophia, having a son and a daughter, living happily ever after.

But those memories were like flowers in a mirror and the moon's reflection in water - no matter how beautiful, they would never return.

I cried all night, waking up to find my pillow soaked through.

I told myself, Jack Foster, this is the last time you cry for her.

When I went downstairs, they were both already awake. Before, the men she brought back never stayed overnight.

Ryan was the first, and also the only one to have breakfast here.

The housekeepers were obviously busier than usual. I then learned that today was Ryan's birthday, and Sophia was throwing a grand birthday party for him at home.

When the party started, many friends from their social circle came. They warmly greeted Ryan, as if he was the master of this house.

Sophia gave him plenty of face, holding his hand as they accepted everyone's toasts. After he blew out the candles and made a wish, she lavishly gifted him a million-dollar diamond watch.

In the heat of the moment, the two even passionately kissed in front of everyone.

The crowd below applauded enthusiastically. The looks they gave me were full of undisguised pity.

"To be a husband reduced to this state, how pitiful."

"Who doesn't know that I'm now the laughingstock of the entire social circle? If it were me, I'd just find a place to hide away."

"Yet I act like nothing's wrong, without any reaction at all."

I pulled my lips into a bitter smile. I had suffered too much pain already. What was this level of humiliation compared to that?

Midway through the party, Ryan found me in a place where no one else was around.

"It's been a whole day. Aren't you going to ask me why?"

I shook my head faintly: "There's no need to know anymore."

Ryan was my best friend, so he also knew about what happened years ago.

All these years, he had witnessed firsthand how much pain I was in. He couldn't bear to see me with red eyes, looking at the bedroom photos Sophia sent, crying countless times. He wanted to call her so many times to tell her the whole truth.

It was me who stopped him, saying that no matter what we did, it wouldn't change the outcome between the two of us.

Now, Ryan looked at me with bloodshot eyes. There were too many emotions hidden in those eyes, making it impossible to understand.

"Jack, you know I hate it most when you're like this, acting like you don't care about anything. You don't know anything, so of course you don't know that I've secretly liked her for many years."

"But her heart only had you in it. I know you've been in agony because of her these past years, but do you know what kind of life she lived after you left?"

"For you, she drank alcohol all day, drinking until she vomited blood. She stayed alone in the apartment you two used to rent, spending night after night there. The photo you left her was kept in her wallet for years. Once when she encountered a robbery, she'd rather be stabbed multiple times than let the wallet be taken away, just to protect the only memento you left her. She even brought you back home after becoming successful, bringing so many men back, just to make you admit defeat to her. As long as you said you still loved her, she would forget everything and reconcile with you without hesitation."

"Jack, she's such a proud person, yet she lowered herself to such an extent for you. She hates you, but she loves you even more."

Saying this, he paused for a moment.

"You know what? I hate you too. I hate that even after you've treated her like this, she still won't let you go."

"Actually, Sophia wasn't planning to keep me originally. All the men she brought back over the years looked like you, but I don't look like you at all. But I'll be the man who stays by her side the longest."

"Do you know why? Because I lied to her, saying that kidney from back then was donated by me."

I just listened quietly, not saying a word.

Seeing me still silent, Ryan's breathing gradually became rapid. After a long while, he finally spoke: "Jack, you haven't given me a birthday gift this year. But what I want is only one thing - I want you to give Sophia to me."

Hearing this, I was silent for a long time. Just when Ryan thought I wouldn't answer, I opened my mouth.

"Okay."

Ryan smiled, tears in his eyes.

"Since you're giving her up, then do it thoroughly. Make her heart completely free of you."

As he finished speaking, he let go of the handrail he was holding onto and closed his eyes, falling backwards!