Chapter 2

This time Connor disappeared longer than ever before. He was nowhere to be seen for nearly half a month, but Yvette's social media updates appeared on time every night.

Auctions, banquets, various elite social gatherings—even the private island where I had my honeymoon was now graced with her presence.

Yvette truly deserved to be Connor's longest-standing mistress. She always knew exactly how to hurt me. Rather than showing off, this was more like provocation.

But unfortunately, she would be disappointed this time. Since I had already decided to let go completely, I wouldn't waste emotions on Connor anymore.

Just as I closed my phone to rest, a message from Yvette popped up.

"I've prepared a gift for you. Hope you like it."

It was followed by a trending topic link.

The moment I clicked it, I felt like someone had stepped on my face.

[Dubois Pack's Luna Clara Cheats During Marriage, Secret Late-Night Meeting with Lover!]

Under the explosive headline were dozens of intimate photos from that night, showing my grief-stricken face and red-rimmed eyes.

But my restraint and sadness were completely twisted in the netizens' mouths into filthy, unspeakable words. The comment section was flooded with unbearable insults directed at me.

I scrolled through them one by one, shaking with anger.

I was clearly the victim in this marriage, yet the real betrayer remained unscathed while I became the slut condemned by everyone.

I finally calmed down and tried to get the trending topic removed, but they told me someone had paid a premium to keep this news on the front page for a full day and night.

After hanging up, I felt like I'd fallen into an ice cellar.

Yvette didn't have that kind of power. The person backing her up, wanting to destroy my reputation, was Connor.

I racked my brains but couldn't understand why he hated me so much.

Five years of marriage, even if it was hollow, the feelings I had for him weren't fake. My care and concern for him weren't fake.

Even if Connor had no feelings for me, there was no need to disgust me like this.

Fortunately, I soon learned his answer.

At the evening banquet the next afternoon, Connor and I attended together.

Because I hadn't slept all night, I had a minor incident driving there and arrived a bit late.

The banquet hall was very noisy, but I still spotted Connor immediately. He was surrounded by a group of wolves, with a woman leaning against him like she had no bones.

Who else but Yvette?

I was about to walk over when I heard his conversation with friends.

"Connor, I saw the trending topic! I never thought you'd be the one getting cheated on. Clara's really something!"

"That's what you get for stealing women from me. How's that karma treating you?"

Someone teased: "Come on! You always brag about your experience. Can't you even see this? Those photos on the trending topic clearly show nothing real happened! Clara was obviously just putting on a show to win him back!"

"But Connor, don't you think you went too far this time? Keeping it at the top of trending and letting people criticize and insult Clara—she's still a woman. How can she show her face in public after this?"

Hearing this, Connor leisurely picked up his wine glass, a mocking smile curving his lips.

"How else will she learn her lesson? I want her to never dare find a lover again, even if it's just an act."

The person said in surprise: "You can have endless mistresses yourself, so why restrict Clara from finding lovers! Don't tell me that 'each do our own thing, don't interfere with each other' line you always spout only applies to others and not yourself?"

Connor frowned and said nothing.

"You're pretty slick. You don't fulfill your duties as a husband but demand she fulfill her duties as a wife. And because of your 'don't interfere with each other' line, she doesn't even have the right to be jealous or angry!"

"As your buddy, I really envy you. Unlike me—my wife caused a scene at my company last month. I lost all face!"

"Hey, how about this—when I get back, I'll make the same agreement with my wife. Just like you, we'll each do our own thing and not interfere. What do you think?"

This time Connor laughed outright.

"Don't. You absolutely shouldn't say that. If you do, just wait for your wife to break the mate bond and divorce you."

"My situation is different from yours. After all, Clara likes me."

His tone seemed both proud and teasing, but all the blood in my body instantly turned cold.

So he knew I liked him.