Chapter 2

She wanted me to search for clues on her Instagram.

So I obliged.

I discovered—

On Christmas Eve, my birthday, he didn't come home not because he couldn't, but because he was abroad making apple pie with Charlotte.

When I had a fever of 104 degrees and a concerned neighbor called an ambulance, he boarded a red-eye flight because Charlotte had a nightmare.

Six months ago, when I passed out on set from period cramps, he was making chocolate in Charlotte's apartment.

I scrolled down bit by bit.

My finger swiped rapidly across the screen.

Calm, as if I were an outsider to whom this had nothing to do.

Until I saw one particular photo.

My heart suddenly plummeted with pain.

Japan, in a snowstorm.

They were in snowy Hokkaido, soaking in hot springs and sipping fine wine.

Holden reached under Charlotte's arms, lifted her up, and carefully tossed her into the thick snow.

He was laughing so happily.

I had never seen such an unrestrained smile on Holden's face.

Charlotte's caption: [Even this rigid iceberg melts for me.]

The date in the bottom right corner of the picture was glaring.

That day, I lay alone in a cold operating room, having my child removed.

After the abortion, I felt completely hollow inside.

I asked him when he'd be back from his business trip.

He only replied with one word: Busy.

A rumble of thunder.

Raindrops violently struck the window, pulling me from my memories.

The rain was pouring down. He wouldn't be coming back tonight.

I turned off my phone to go to sleep.

Charlotte's message popped up at just the right moment:

"Eve, Holden's drunk. Can you come pick him up?"

In the end, I still went.

When I arrived at the private room, they were playing Truth or Dare.

Holden's buddies chimed in one after another.

"Holden, you waited for Charlotte for so long, and finally got what you wanted."

"What about Eve... how do you plan to handle that?"

Holden's expression darkened.

"What? You got your eye on her?"

"I wouldn't dare!" The man sneered. "Holden's woman—who would dare touch her?"

"Seven years ago you got with her to practice your bedroom skills. Our Charlotte is really blessed now."

"But after sleeping with her for so many years, you must have learned some techniques, right?"

I looked at them coldly, my heart colder than being thrown into an ice cellar.

Holden's words were like a dull knife, viciously cutting into my heart.

"Want to know? You could try her yourself."

Amid the laughter, Charlotte's face flushed with embarrassment.

"Oh my... don't you people have any shame? Eve isn't that kind of person!"

"If she hadn't given me her study abroad spot, maybe right now she'd be returning home with both academic and career success."

"How is she not?" Someone picked up the thread. "Holden, what do you say?"

The private room fell silent.

Holden smirked.

"She came to my door herself. I did have a pretty good time."