Chapter 2

Joanna POV

When I woke up, it was already evening.

Ethan hadn't come back all day.

I instinctively dialed Ethan's number. The phone rang for a long time before being answered.

"Joanna." Ethan's voice was low and controlled as always. "In a meeting. I'll be home later."

As soon as he finished speaking, a moan with a nasal quality could faintly be heard through the receiver.

"Ethan, gentler please, I can't take it anymore."

My fingertips instantly turned ice cold.

Ethan's tone showed no hint of panic. "Joanna, I have to get back to the meeting. I'll make your favorite foie gras tonight."

He hung up the phone. I opened Sophia's posts.

The post was published ten minutes ago:

"Ditched work with the boss. Best feeling ever."

The image showed a messy bed, tagged with a location. The hotel next to Ethan's company.

I closed my eyes. My chest felt like it was being pounded by a blunt instrument, over and over, making me feel suffocated and pained.

At eight o'clock, Ethan came home.

When he saw me in the living room, his eyes immediately lit up with a smile.

"Joanna, why didn't you turn on the lights?"

He glanced at the empty dining table, walked over and kissed my forehead. "Didn't cook today? Tired?"

I nodded.

Ethan immediately rolled up his sleeves and went into the kitchen.

I watched him put the bracelet on his wrist, skillfully washing and cutting vegetables. The bracelet swayed back and forth until I could barely breathe.

Half an hour later, Ethan finished cooking.

"Joanna, try these dishes." He placed the foie gras in front of me.

"Didn't you say you wanted foie gras? Eat more, you've lost weight recently."

As he spoke, he habitually replaced the glass of water in front of me with warm water.

I lowered my head to eat. Every bite was difficult to swallow.

When Ethan leaned over, he exposed an ambiguous red mark below his collarbone.

I bit down hard on my fork, forcing myself to swallow that bite of foie gras.

"Joanna, why so quiet?" Ethan noticed my silence and looked up at me.

"A bit tired."

"Then rest early." He said gently, "I'm not working overtime tonight. I'll keep you company."

I lowered my eyes, not responding.

I don't know how I managed to finish that meal.

After showering, I crawled into bed.

Before long, Ethan also finished washing up and came out. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, his hand covering my waist, slowly moving upward. "Joanna."

My whole body stiffened.

I saw the bracelet on his wrist again, and nausea instantly surged up my throat.

"Too tired today." I broke free from his embrace, turning my back to him. "I want to sleep early."

Ethan paused, but didn't force me.

A moment later, he sighed, pulled me closer into his arms, and whispered in my ear, "Okay, let's sleep."

He kissed the top of my head. His breathing quickly became even.

I kept my eyes open, staring at the ceiling.

I don't know how much time passed when a slight sound came from beside me.

I squinted and saw Ethan quietly walking toward the balcony.

The balcony door was ajar. Sounds came intermittently.

"Put your hand in. Let me hear."

"Don't stop."

A woman's suppressed panting and fragmented moans came through the phone.

"What do you call me?"

"Sound sluttier."

"Look in the mirror. See clearly what you look like."

Sophia's voice grew louder and louder, mixed with crying.

I curled up under the covers, my whole body ice cold.

"The bracelet?" Ethan's tone suddenly turned cold. "You dare touch my bracelet?"

"You want to end up in the ER again? Good thing my wife wasn't on duty last night, or I'd really punish you."

"Remember your place. Don't harass her."

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I rushed into the bathroom and dry heaved.

My stomach churned violently. I vomited until tears streamed down my face.

The balcony door was pushed open. Ethan quickly walked in, his expression tense.

"Joanna, what's wrong? Where don't you feel well?"

He reached out to help me. I dodged.

"Maybe ate too much at dinner." I wiped the corner of my mouth, trying to keep my voice calm.

Ethan frowned, his face full of guilt. "It's all my fault. Was the foie gras too greasy?"

He grabbed his jacket and headed out. "Wait here. I'll go buy you some lemon water."

The place he mentioned was far from our home.

He didn't hesitate and left directly.

I stood in the bathroom, looking at my pale reflection in the mirror.

Ethan, if you can still cross half the city in the middle of the night just to buy me a glass of lemon water.

Why can't you keep to the most basic bottom line?

You once said you despised men who cheated, said they were brainless animals.

But now, you've become one of them.