Chapter 2

2

She sat down on the sofa.

Catching sight of a bouquet tossed carelessly on the floor, she flared up instantly.

"Where did these flowers come from? Another gift from your female students?"

"You're a college professor. Why do you dress like a slut every day just to teach? Who are you trying to seduce?"

I met her fury with complete silence.

Taking my silence as an admission of guilt, she grabbed the bouquet and threw it violently in my face.

A small velvet ring box tumbled out and rolled across the hardwood floor with a sharp click.

Celeste picked it up, and her eyes flickered with guilt when she saw her own initials engraved on the band.

It seemed she finally remembered that today was not just Harrison's birthday, but also our wedding anniversary.

If Harrison hadn't deliberately provoked me earlier today, I would have never known our wedding date had been chosen simply to spite him.

The day I thought was the start of our happily ever after was merely a weapon she used in a lovers' quarrel.

It was utterly pathetic.

A tense silence fell over the living room.

Celeste cleared her throat and handed me a small designer shopping bag.

"I'm sorry, Garrett. Harrison and I picked this out for you."

"A girl in his research lab has been harassing him nonstop, so he only asked me to pretend to be his girlfriend to shake her off. What will people think of him if you post our marriage certificate online?"

"Harrison was terrified by your comment today, but I know you only did it because you love me too much. Fine, I forgive you, but you need to be more sensible from now on, okay?"

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

Forgive me?

She sounded as if I were the one who had cheated.

I ignored her words and glanced at the gift.

It was a plain silver ring from the same luxury brand as the limited-edition watch Harrison flaunted in his video.

That timepiece cost well over a million dollars and was nearly impossible to buy.

Whenever a VIP client bought a watch of that caliber, the boutique threw in a cheap silver band as a complimentary gift.

I pushed the bag away, turned around, and walked toward the hallway.

She grabbed my arm and pinched my flesh ruthlessly.

"Garrett Cole, what is your problem? You trashed Harrison in his comments, yet he didn't even blame you and helped me buy an apology gift! Who do you think you are, giving me this attitude?"

"It's just an anniversary. So what if I forgot? Stop acting like an emotional baby!"

My continued silence pushed her over the edge.

She grabbed a bottle of custom perfume from the display stand and smashed it against the floor.

Shattered glass exploded in all directions, slicing deep into the back of my right hand.

The fresh cut intersected an old, prominent scar.

Celeste had forgotten that the old scar came from taking a knife for her years ago.

She had also forgotten that this perfume was the very first bottle I ever blended by hand, after spending two months studying perfumery the summer we graduated.

I had named it "Always Beside You."

I had wanted her to think of me every time she wore that scent.