Chapter 2

Liam and I were college classmates.

We were both studying in the business school.

Not only were our families equally powerful, but we’d also fallen for each other over time, always competing for the top spot in school.

In the end, our relationship blossomed into marriage, forming a true power couple.

Even after we graduated, our story became a legend on campus.

Everyone said Liam and I were the perfect match.

I used to believe that too.

But after we got married, I realized I was wrong.

He was always surrounded by a constant parade of women: today it was a business partner, yesterday it was his assistant, and the day before that, countless others...

Though there was never any "substantive" relationship, he treated them like "confidantes," and that was enough to make me sick.

It wasn't that I hadn't confronted him, but every time, he'd address my concerns with a lot of talk, but never actually resolve anything.

"They're just work contacts."

"Don't overthink it..."

"You know, Riley, you're the only one for me..."

"I'm exhausted, let's not talk about this anymore."

He always had a lot to say, but he never once truly solved the problem.

If I wasn't his only one, then I refused to be just one of many.

So, the next morning, Chloe and I started preparing for our planned trip.

While we were out shopping for essentials, we ran right into Mia, Noah's junior model.

She was picking out jewelry, and when she saw Chloe and me, her smile was laced with challenge.

"Chloe, did you two fight after you went home last time?"

"I might have been a bit aggressive with my words last time. Please don't be angry, big sis. Men are busy building their careers out there, so we women should be more sensible. Otherwise, when we get older and our looks fade, we might just get replaced by someone younger and prettier."

"Especially since Mr. Hayes has so many young models and influencers under his wing."

Her implication was clear: Chloe was old.

And there was an even deeper meaning: that "we women" part sounded like she was hinting at some "other" relationship with Noah.

That was the last straw!

Chloe, with her fiery temper, was ready to jump in and physically confront her the moment Mia finished speaking.

But I couldn't let her do something that would leave a paper trail.

I stepped in first, giving Mia a resounding slap across the face.

"What? You think being a mistress gives you a superiority complex?"

"Daring to provoke the actual wife right to her face – which sugar daddy gave you that much audacity?"

I watched her eyes flutter back for a split second, and the tears welling up, and I knew she was hiding something.

Sure enough, right after I slapped her, I heard footsteps behind us.

Chloe and I turned to see Noah.

He didn't even glance at Chloe. He walked straight to Mia's side, saw her swollen red cheek, and then turned to look at me, his face filled with anger.

"My brother must have spoiled you rotten, making you so lawless."

Chloe, worried I'd clash with him head-on, quickly stepped in front of me.

"This isn't Riley's fault, she started it, you—"

Her words were cut off mid-sentence.

"You're still defending her? Can't I tell right from wrong myself?"

"What's gotten into both of you? No wonder my brother's so disappointed."

What's gotten into us?

Hearing his accusing tone, even speaking for Liam’s "disappointment," my anger flared even more.

If I wasn't so outnumbered, I would've gladly slapped him too.

Chloe was even angrier than me, and her grip on my hand tightened.

"Noah Hayes, if you have eyes and aren't using them, why don't you donate them?"

"Before we got married, you could tell when I was upset just by looking at me. Now that you've got people under your wing, you see me being bullied and just dismiss it as me 'playing around'!"

Noah paused for a moment, his tone softening slightly. "Talk to me properly."

Chloe took a deep breath. She pointed at Mia's nose. "Fine. Fire her, and I'll talk to you properly."

"After all, it'd be more convenient for you. You can keep her at home after you fire her, stashing her away like a secret mistress, right—"

The next second, a loud smack echoed, stinging my ears.

Noah had heavily slapped Chloe's hand away.

"Shut up! Don't project your filthy thoughts onto others!"

Noah hadn't held back at all, and Chloe's hand instantly turned red and swollen.

He looked at it, his eyes momentarily wide with shock. He started to open his mouth to explain, but then he seemed to think of something and swallowed his words.

"If you keep acting this childish, we'll get a divorce."

"And you, Riley, you'd better listen to my brother."

With that, he left with Mia.

Chloe watched their retreating backs, and tears streamed down her face.

She buried her face in my shoulder, sobbing, her tears quickly soaking my top.

She choked out, "But he wasn't like this before, was he?"

"How could he change so suddenly?"

Chloe and Noah had known each other even longer.

They were childhood sweethearts. Chloe had even taken a knife for him once.

Back in high school, the Hayes family was targeted for revenge, and the attackers went straight for Noah, who was still a student.

Chloe felt something was off and insisted on walking with him.

Later, on the way, she realized the danger, and quietly called the police.

When the police arrived and busted the kidnappers, one of them, unnoticed for a moment, lunged at Noah with a knife. Chloe blocked it, and because of that, her hand could never hold a paintbrush steady again.

From then on, Noah became extra clingy with Chloe. He got a little better as they grew up, not openly clinging, but subtly pursuing her.

He'd quietly close in.

He even secretly stopped boys from confessing their feelings to Chloe.

Liam told me all this later.

I used to think their relationship would be even more solid than Liam’s and mine.

After all, they had a "beauty saves the hero" story with life-or-death stakes.

But her love story, just like mine, had rotted away.