Chapter 3

“Unlike you, everything I have comes from my own effort. I care about real value in a man’s eyes, not being a decorative wife.”

Her look was mocking, nothing like the gentle firmness she’d shown him moments earlier.

I gripped my bag and let out a cold laugh. “You’re bold. Hugh has never lacked people willing to work for him. Your so-called value means nothing to him.”

She wasn’t angry.

Calmly, she opened her photo album. It was almost full of screenshots of my chats with Hugh.

“You may not know this, but since last month, Mr. Montgomery has given me his phone password. That means I’ve been the one reading your messages.”

“By the way, the gemstone necklace you liked on your anniversary? I suggested he buy it. The night you asked him to come home early and sent photos of your new nightgown, I was the one who convinced him to go back.”

“I stayed up all night that day and the next day, I got the same gemstone bracelet as you. I just don’t wear it to avoid suspicion.”

A sharp slap rang out, leaving my fingers and heart numb. My composure shattered. “Who do you think you are, interfering in my marriage?”

She covered her face, stunned for a moment, then laughed. “Are you scared?”

Seeing my silence, she grew smug.

“Don’t worry. I’m not the type to seduce a man or ruin a marriage—unless,” her tone shifted, her smile turning alluring, “he takes the first step. Then I’ll gladly finish the remaining ninety-nine.”

A fanatical gleam flashed in her eyes, snapping me back to reality. That year, if Hugh hadn’t taken the first step, he might have lost his life.

I would never have taken the remaining ninety-nine steps in tears. Yet the woman before me strutted proudly. I had family backing me; what did she have?

“Are you so angry you can’t speak?” she asked, her voice relentless.

Before turning away, I chuckled softly. “What else can I say? Should I just wish you luck?”

Of course, Luna thought I was just angry. As I left, I saw her in high heels, her face red and swollen, heading straight for the VIP room where Hugh was.

She knew how to use a man’s sympathy to win his favor; much smarter than I had been back then.

At eighteen, I met Hugh, standing behind my father. Back then, he was like everyone else, politely greeting me with, “Hello, Miss.”

At first, I was drawn to his looks and chose him as my bodyguard. But he never grew arrogant from my favor, nor did he ever show annoyance at my unreasonable demands.

He was hardworking and careful in his job, yet always politely distant from me. Later, when I was kidnapped, he bravely took a bullet for me.

The bullet nearly killed him and it made me completely fall for him. While he was unconscious, I dreamed of the fresh soap scent as he held me in his arms.

The day he woke up, his eyes red and swollen from crying, I scolded him for failing me. Blushing, I pointed to the scratch on my shoulder, demanding he take responsibility.