Chapter 2

On the other end of the line, I could faintly hear a woman's moans.

Before I could speak, he hung up.

I gripped my phone tightly, my stomach churning.

I rushed to the bathroom and threw up violently.

I didn't sleep all night.

When Ethan came home and saw my pale face, he froze for a moment.

"Raina, what's wrong?"

He put down his coat and walked toward me.

He reached out to feel my forehead, but I turned my head away.

His hand stopped mid-air, looking somewhat bewildered.

"Nothing. I just didn't sleep well last night."

I met his gaze and replied flatly.

Sensing my coldness, he surprisingly softened his tone to placate me.

"Are you angry? I was wrong. I shouldn't have yelled at you last night."

"But Lauren is your best friend. You're usually so pampered, and Lauren's always been accommodating. I was just worried you'd hurt her feelings and lose her as a friend. I got a bit worked up."

"Please don't be mad at me anymore."

He sounded so sincere, as if he really was thinking of me.

Every time he fought with me over Lauren, this was his excuse.

Now I found it utterly disgusting.

Seeing my silence, he pulled out a small box.

"This is your anniversary gift from yesterday. I accidentally left it at the company. I'm giving it to you now—do you like it?"

I glanced at the bracelet in his hand. It was from a brand Lauren had always loved.

He moved to put it on me.

As he got close, I noticed the kiss marks on his neck. His body gave off a strong jasmine scent—the perfume Lauren always wore.

I covered my mouth and shoved him away hard.

"Stay away from me."

I rushed into the bathroom and threw up violently again.

After placating me for so long, Ethan finally exploded.

"Raina! What the hell is your problem?"

"Can't you learn from Lauren? She's always so gentle, not like you—always causing drama!"

I washed my face and came out, meeting his impatient gaze.

"If Lauren's so great, go be with her then."

He pointed at me, yanked off his tie and threw it hard on the floor.

"That's enough from you!"

He slammed the door on his way out.

In the living room, only the jasmine scent lingering in the air kept me company.

I stared at the door he'd slammed so violently, my eyes burning with tears.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

I'd noticed something was off about that post Lauren had quickly deleted yesterday.

Following my husband's following list, I discovered Lauren's alternate account.

This account of Lauren's was filled with flirtatious exchanges with my husband and put-downs of me.

After seeing today's content, my heart felt like it was being shredded by knives.

"The gift he gave me yesterday~"

"Just because I like this brand, he bought me all the new releases from this season, saying it's to make up for me having to watch him celebrate his anniversary with another woman."

"But this bracelet is so tacky. I actually threw it in the trash, but then that idiot threw a tantrum, so I graciously let him take it back to placate that idiot. After all, she's only worthy of picking up my garbage anyway."

Two photos were attached.

One showed a living room filled with gifts. In the other photo, lying in a trash can, was the necklace Ethan said was my anniversary gift.

My fingertips had gone numb.

The trembling crawled from my fingers through my whole body, even my jaw was shaking.

Back in college, Ethan was poor. But to give me a birthday gift, he worked multiple jobs simultaneously for several months, then spent his entire paycheck to buy me a diamond ring.

Seeing his hands covered in chilblains and calluses as he held out the ring, I cried from heartache.

I told him through tears that any gift would do, he didn't need to spend so much.

He smiled indulgently, his eyes shining with light as he promised earnestly:

"How could I just give you anything? You deserve the best things in this world."

"Don't worry, once I'm successful, I'll bring all the world's best things to you."

I smiled through my tears and said okay.

I waited and waited, finally waiting until he achieved success.

But those old promises had long since scattered with the wind. Now, in his eyes, I was only worthy of picking up someone else's trash.

I used to think the saying "where the money goes, there goes the love" was too cynical.

Now I see it's absolutely true.

I accompanied him from poverty to becoming one of the business world's hottest rising stars.

He's still handsome, and my heart still flutters for him.

Until this moment, when my heart was ground to pieces inch by inch, unable to beat anymore.

Ethan, we have no future.