Chapter 2

That night, Chloe and I parted ways on bad terms.

The next day, she made plans to go shopping with her friends.

I dropped everything I was doing and secretly followed her.

I trailed them all the way to a bar.

Through the crack in the door of a dimly lit private room, I caught a glimpse of Chloe intimately settling into a man's lap.

The man had his arm around her waist, leaning back on the sofa, a look of doting affection on his face.

Even in the low light, I instantly recognized him: it was Liam Scott!

If I had any doubts before, they were completely erased now. That aborted embryo had to be Liam's!

A surge of white-hot fury instantly shot through me. My fists clenched tight.

Just as I was about to burst in, I heard Chloe's friend, Maya, speak up. "Chloe, Liam chased you for years, and you never budged. What finally made you give in?"

I froze.

Chloe tilted her head, glancing at Liam, and chuckled shyly. "I wasn't going to accept him, but then… that time, my husband had someone beat him up. He was left bloody and bruised, but he still came to my office, crying and saying he'd rather die than give up on me. I don't know why, but in that moment, I suddenly softened."

After she finished speaking, they exchanged a knowing smile and kissed passionately right there in front of everyone.

The private room erupted with cheers and jeers.

And I stood outside the door, stunned, as if struck by lightning.

So, all that time, I was furious, defending her honor, only to accidentally create the perfect opportunity for them to get together?

A sharp, piercing pain spread across my chest, like a thousand needles, making it hard to breathe.

As my heart ached, Chloe and Liam reluctantly pulled apart.

Liam cupped Chloe's face, declaring his love deeply. "Chloe, besides you, I'll never love anyone else in this life. Only death can separate us."

Tears welled up in Chloe's eyes, her face filled with emotion. "Liam, if I'd known being with you would be this wonderful, I would have accepted you sooner. Don't worry, for the rest of my life, I'll give you everything, except for my official status."

I stared blankly at the intensely affectionate scene before me, my heart aching to its very core.

Suddenly, all the strength to confront them drained out of me.

I turned around and walked away, feeling utterly lost.

I felt like a wandering ghost, making my way to the bar, where I ordered several strong drinks and drank myself into a stupor.

Five years of marriage. Eight years of dating.

From college until now, Chloe and I had been together for a full eight years.

Back then, to marry her, I gave up a chance to move abroad and even swallowed my pride, agreeing to live with her family and effectively put their needs before my own.

After we married, I was always good to Chloe. I handed over my paycheck, always attentive to her every need. She didn't want kids, so I even made up a story about my own fertility issues, just to keep both our families from pressuring us.

But in the end, she got pregnant with another man's child, all behind my back.

Eight years of a relationship, undone by one shamelessly persistent man.

How pathetic.