Chapter 2

After that night, he often avoided being alone with me.

I didn't crumble like I had after my parents passed.

I pulled myself together and went back to work at the company.

The company's board members were surprised by my return.

Some said I was just back to play around, while others speculated that my marriage was on the rocks.

I took on more and more responsibilities, and Julian slowly stopped avoiding me.

He started acting like he used to, doing things according to my wishes.

I knew there was an invisible veil between us, obscuring our true selves.

What broke the stalemate, or rather, worsened it, was a high school reunion.

Our old homeroom teacher suddenly organized a reunion and specifically called to invite us.

Our once handsome class monitor had turned into an overweight office worker.

The quiet girl had transformed into a stunning, articulate beauty. Everyone had changed so much.

Their arrival drew everyone's attention, and murmurs started.

“Is that Aria? She’s so gorgeous now.”

“They actually look so good together now.”

It was true. Julian and I had almost no interaction in the three years we were in the same high school class.

It was my desk mate who had a good relationship with him.

Everyone always thought Chloe and Julian would end up together.

In high school, Julian was smart, handsome, and popular. I was just a clueless nerd who didn't know how to dress up.

Back then, no one thought we’d ever be together, and Julian was the one who confessed first.

Mark, our class monitor, was still as enthusiastic as ever. He walked up to us and started chatting.

“You two are such busy bees! Our teacher said it took forever to get you to come.”

I smiled, my gaze sweeping over the room, unfazed by everyone’s eyes on us.

“But we’re here now, aren’t we? Let’s sit down and talk.”

Once we sat, everyone caught up, drinking and reminiscing.

Quite a few classmates I’d never really interacted with in high school came over to chat with me.

Brad, our old jock, half-drunk, came over and clapped Julian on the shoulder.

“You’re one lucky bastard, marrying our class’s rich girl! And now she’s so beautiful.”

“Hahahaha, the poorest guy in our class ended up with the richest. Good for you, buddy!”

His voice wasn’t quiet. After he finished speaking, a heavy silence fell over the room.

Julian’s smile froze, his face darkening.

Julian hated nothing more than people saying he owed his wealth to me.

He always believed his achievements were solely due to his own efforts, and I merely provided a stepping stone.

A smile was plastered on my face, but it didn’t reach my eyes. I said calmly,

“Brad, you’re drunk.”

I wasn't defending Julian; I was defending my own pride.

Brad let out a loud burp.

“No, I’m not! If I’d known you were so loaded, I would’ve gone for you first…”

Before he could finish, Mark quickly came over, clapped a hand over his mouth, and dragged him away.

“You’re wasted! It’s been years, can’t you tell what to say and what not to say?”

Our teacher sensed the awkward atmosphere and started urging everyone to eat.

The mood hadn't improved when the door opened, and a familiar figure appeared.

Her figure was graceful, her appearance beautiful.

She had a new maturity and charm that she didn’t possess in high school.

Chloe walked in, greeting everyone warmly, and chose a seat closest to me.

A few people stared at Chloe, whispering. Our teacher coughed a few times and said,

“Stop staring. Chloe’s back in the country for good this time. You’ll have plenty of time to catch up.”

Their eyes locked, a silent, intimate conversation unfolding right across me, as if they wanted everyone to know about their unspoken affection.

And I, his actual wife, felt like the villain tearing them apart.

Later in the reunion, everyone got wasted. I stepped outside for some fresh air and happened to run into Chloe.

A sickly sweet, cooing voice reached my ears:

“I’m back now, so when are you going to divorce her?”

The door was ajar. I couldn't see the other person, but my heart plummeted.

The moment that voice spoke, my heart died a little.

The owner of the voice seemed annoyed, but tried to be gentle with the person in front of them:

“You just got back. What’s the rush? Settle in first, then we’ll talk.”

“Don’t lie to me! I came back for you!”