The memory shattered in an instant.
I looked up, instinctively, toward the brilliantly lit estate in the distance.
On the second–floor balcony, Chadwick Gabriel stood holding a petite woman tightly in his arms.
Something in me snapped. Without thinking, I called him.
He declined the call.
I redialed instantly, only for him to decline again.
A jagged pain tore through my chest, stealing my breath. I instinctively crumpled into a crouch, each gasp a desperate,
futile struggle for air, like a fish flopping on dry land.
Ten minutes later, I watched as he lifted the woman into his arms and carried her inside.
Then, he returned to the balcony alone. That’s when my phone rang.
“Hey, babe,” came his voice, infuriatingly smooth and unruffled, drifted through the phone. “What’s wrong? I was just in an
online conference.”
I wanted to confront him–rip away the mask and demand the truth.
But the words caught in my throat, dry and bitter, refusing to come out.
“Babe?” Chadwick asked, confused.
I bit down hard on my lip to keep from sobbing.
He noticed something was off. His tone shifted, now laced with concern.
“Did someone upset you?”
Yes. I wanted to scream. You did. Both of you did.
But all I managed was a twisted, hollow smile. “Chadwick, do you remember what day it is today?”
A short moment of silence. Then he chuckled. “So that’s what this is about. You’re mad I forgot our anniversary, aren’t
you, princess?”
“Sorry, babe. Work’s been crazy. I’ll fly out in a few days to spend time with you, alright?”
Just then, I saw Vivian Ayla reappear on the balcony.
She stood on tiptoe and kissed Chadwick on the lips.
I heard the sound of it–wet and intimate–clearly through the phone.
A wave of icy revulsion snaked down my spine, making my skin prickle with disgust.
My voice was hoarse now, “No need to bother. If you’re busy, focus on work. Don’t worry about me,”
Chadwick laughed, completely oblivious. “You’re getting more considerate by the day, sweetheart.”
Chapter 2
Then the line went dead.
On the balcony, bathed in moonlight, the two of them embraced and kissed like lovers in a twisted fairytale.
Tears, hot and stinging, abruptly blurred my vision, then burst forth in an uncontrollable torrent.
So this… this was what betrayal felt like.
Back when Chadwick and I were eighteen, when everything was innocent and full of promise, he could never have
imagined doing this to me.
He used to love me–truly love me.
That summer, he stood under the blazing sun, basketball in hand, grinning like a carefree dream.
The soft breeze had carried his voice across the years:
“Jessica Lachelle, I love you. You’re the only one I’ll ever love. If I ever betray you, may I die a miserable death.”
Now, the night wind, cold as betrayal itself, pierced through me, chilling me to the bone. An uncontrollable tremor shook
my entire body.
I leaned against the wall and slowly pushed myself to my feet, turning away.
I flagged down a cab.
The destination? The little apartment my brother Johnson had gifted me for my eighteenth birthday.
Even as I slipped the key into the lock, my hands were shaking.
The door creaked open to reveal a wave of damp, stale air.
Clearly, no one had lived here in a long time. Everything was exactly as I had left it three years ago.
On the desk was a photo of Johnson and me.
He was in a sleek black suit, and I stood beside him, ponytail high and beaming with joy.
The next day, both Chadwick and Johnson learned I was back in the country.
They arrived together at the apartment.
Two powerful, dominating men who ruled their worlds outside–but in front of me now, they looked both elated and
awkwardly unsure.
Chadwick stepped forward first, just like he used to, trying to take my hand.
“Jess… You’re back? Does that mean… you’re cured?”
I instinctively pulled my hand away.
Johnson’s eyes filled with tears. His voice caught.
“Jess… You’re okay. That’s all that matters.”
Chadwick’s hand froze in midair, confusion flashing across his face.
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But then his expression softened with tenderness.
“Long flight, huh? You must be exhausted.”
Before he could reach me, Johnson had already closed the gap, worriedly pressing his hand to my forehead.
I stood still, stiff as a board.
After a moment, he said, “You’re fine. No fever.”
I forced a smile. “Yeah, probably just tired.”
Chadwick jumped on that.
“In that case, stay here for now, don’t tire yourself out running around.”
“This place is close to the hospital, too–makes checkups easier.”
I smiled faintly.
So that’s what this was–keeping me here, tucked away, so I wouldn’t find out about the little secret tucked away in our
marital home.
It was ridiculous. I was the wife… yet I was the one living on the outside.
And she was the one sleeping in my bed. If anyone looked in from the outside, they’d think I was the mistress.
I let out a bitter laugh. “Sure. Whatever.”
It’s not like I’d be staying long anyway.
Chadwick relaxed, his tone melting into that familiar doting cadence.
“Good girl. Get some rest. I’ll come by often.”
Johnson, too, let out a breath of relief. “Great. I’ll have Ms. Martinez stop by to help tidy up. Let me know if you need
anything.”
“Okay,” I said quietly.
I played my part in their charade.
Chapter 2
