Chapter 2

Asher was in the room right next to mine, and the soundproofing wasn’t great, so I could hear everything they said.

As soon as their door closed, I heard the sounds of their passionate kissing.

Their kisses were intense, punctuated by Chloe’s soft moans.

“Chloe, you’re completely mine now.”

“When was I ever not yours? Asher, I’ve missed you so much all these years. Every single moment I spent with Noah, I was thinking of you.”

I couldn’t bear to listen anymore. I opened my music app, trying to distract myself.

But my tears fell despite myself, soaking the pillow.

That night, Chloe came over.

She carried a lunchbox and handed it to me.

Then she took my hand, her eyes filled with a manufactured helplessness. “Noah, did you see the live stream today?”

“Yeah.”

Her grip tightened.

“You know we were just putting on a show, right? That kiss was just to soothe him.”

“Yeah, I get it.”

She suddenly hugged me tightly. “Noah, you’re really too good.”

“Quick, try the food I made myself. It’s all your favorites.”

She opened the lunchbox for me.

The moment I saw the dishes, I froze.

Every single dish was loaded with chili peppers. I had gastritis and couldn't handle anything spicy.

It was clearly food she’d meticulously prepared for Asher.

Before, no matter how late I worked, or even when I overworked to the point of stomach bleeding, she had never personally made me a single bowl of porridge.

Whenever I cautiously asked her if she could make me a soothing stomach porridge, she’d refuse, saying her hands were for playing the piano, not for household chores.

But for another man, she was willing to cook and care for him with such devotion.

She saw me hesitate to pick up my fork, so she picked up a piece of food to feed me, but I pushed her hand away.

I frowned. “Chloe, have you forgotten? I have gastritis.”

She seemed to suddenly remember, putting down the fork. “Oh, right. Sorry, Noah, I got caught up.”

I didn’t say anything, my heart aching again.

Just then, Asher suddenly walked in.

He wrapped an arm around Chloe, looking at me with triumph.

“Noah, Chloe already divorced you! Don’t cling to her like a pathetic dog anymore. Don’t be so pathetic.”

He glanced at the food on the table, scoffing, “Oh, spoke of a dog, and here you are. You’re only fit to eat my leftovers.”

Chloe looked flustered.

To avoid Asher’s suspicion, she suddenly glared at me. “I came here today to tell you that we’re divorced. I need to give Asher a sense of security. Don’t bother me again.”

Then she took Asher’s hand and left.

I looked at the food on the table and let out a self-deprecating laugh.

My mind drifted back to Chloe and my past.

I first met her in a dessert shop. She was working part-time to pay for her mother’s medical expenses.

The moment I saw her, I was drawn to her resilience.

I began to pursue her relentlessly, even paying her mother’s expensive medical bills.

She slowly began to accept me. At the time, I was ecstatic, thinking it was love. Only now, I realize, perhaps it was just gratitude.

Because of the vast difference in our family backgrounds, my father adamantly opposed our relationship. To marry her, I cut ties with my family.

Leaving home, I became a penniless young man. To continue paying for her mother’s medical expenses and to allow Chloe to pursue her dream of becoming a pianist, I started working day and night.

I don’t know how many times I collapsed from exhaustion in the warehouse. I drank until my stomach bled to secure deals, and even had cardiac arrest due to severe lack of sleep.

Despite all this, I never allowed Chloe to suffer in the slightest. She could just chase her dreams.

After I successfully founded my own company, I gave Chloe all my unwavering affection.

But her heart never truly opened up to me. She had a first love she couldn’t forget.

Before, I thought it didn’t matter. As long as I gave her enough love, she would eventually make a place for me in her heart.

It was only after this incident that I understood: it was useless.