Chapter 4

Not long after I returned, they came back, laden with shopping bags.

I opened them to find they were filled with gifts and clothes Adam had bought for Chloe.

Noticing my grim expression, Adam explained, "Chloe's talent show is tomorrow. She needs to look her best."

"Don't worry, once she gets through the audition, she'll go to another city for performances."

"Then you won't have to keep your sour face on all the time."

He sneered, busily helping Chloe try on outfits.

I stayed silent. Adam probably thought my anger had subsided, and that I was looking for a way to reconcile, just like before.

So that evening, he tried to smooth things over, adopting a gentler tone towards me.

"Lily, we're married now. We need to be a team. You can't always doubt me."

"Don't worry, once Chloe passes her audition, I'll make sure she leaves. You're the one I'm building a life with."

"In a little while, we'll start a family."

A team?

I scoffed internally, saying nothing.

Later that night, I woke up and Adam wasn't there.

Passing the guest room, I heard the unmistakable sounds of intimacy.

"Adam, I love you so much. If only I hadn't gone abroad back then, it would be me with you right now."

"Your wife might mind your past, but I don't. As long as I can be with you, I don't care how many girlfriends you have. I could even love you alongside them all."

"But I'm just worried your wife will get angry. What if it affects your relationship?"

Adam sneered. "Her? Didn't you see? When I told you to stay in the guest room today, she stopped being mad instantly. She even FaceTimed her mom to show me off."

"She's thrilled to be married to me, no matter how angry she pretends to be. Don't worry, she can't leave me."

Then, the sounds of their intimacy resumed.

Adam told me one minute that he had no contact with them, and the next he was betraying me again.

Even though I was already beyond disappointed in him, a fresh wave of fury surged through me.

But I didn't disturb them. I just quietly recorded their conversation and returned to my room.

In the morning, Adam came back.

The moment he opened the door, our eyes met.

He looked guilty, but pretended to be calm. "Chloe was nervous about her audition, so I stayed with her for a bit."

Catching sight of the hickeys all over his neck, my calmed heart couldn't suppress the anger.

I let out a cold laugh. "You meant you 'comforted' her under the covers, didn't you?"

"You really don't have to come back. Why not just stay with her?"

Adam's face flushed. He snapped, "Chloe has her audition today, and she even got you a free ticket! How can you stir up trouble again?!"

"This is something Chloe worked hard for. You have to go today, as an apology, and to cheer her on for me."

"If you don't go, I'll let her stay at our house indefinitely."

Looking at the talent show ticket in his hand, I smirked internally.

Then, I took it.

"Alright, I'd love to see the show."