Chapter 2

2

It was well past midnight when I finally dragged my soaked body back to the house.

As I opened the door, the first firework of the New Year exploded in the sky behind me.

I had prepared that surprise for Jocelyn. Now, it was no longer needed.

My phone vibrated. Another message from Xander.

In the photo, my wife―who never even touched a dish at home―was kneeling to wash Xander's feet.

【I can't believe it. I've been gone for eight years, and you still haven't won Jocelyn over.】

【But I guess it makes sense. Jocelyn was willing to stay lonely for eight years just for me. You never stood a chance, Caden.】

Looking at the series of taunting messages, I couldn't stop the tears from falling.

Eight years.

Jocelyn, you never once looked back at me.

She said she was only dropping him off. But when I woke up the next morning, she still wasn't home.

Because of the excessive drinking and the night spent in the rain, I felt terrible when I woke up.

My head was spinning, and my stomach was in knots.

I curled up on the bed in pain. I finally managed to reach for my phone and dial Jocelyn's number.

The line rang for a full minute before someone picked up.

"Jocelyn..."

My voice was trembling with pain.

Suddenly, a woman's soft moan drowned out whatever I was going to say.

My hand shook so hard I almost dropped the phone. That voice belonged to Jocelyn.

The sounds continued on the other end.

Jocelyn was breathlessly calling out Xander's name, begging for more.

I listened like a masochist until a man's voice finally came through.

Xander sounded arrogant and full of mockery.

"Caden Sinclair, why don't you just give up? How was that? Did she sound good? Jocelyn is asleep now."

"You have no idea how wild she was for me last night."

I didn't have the courage to listen anymore. I hung up the phone in a panic.

The pain in my heart was so sharp it actually numbed the physical pain in my body.

After a long time, I dragged my sick body to the hospital alone.

The doctor looked at my reports with a serious expression. "Young man, you need to take better care of yourself. Why drink so much with such a bad stomach?"

"Didn't anyone from your family come with you?"

I lowered my head. My hair covered my eyes as I let out a bitter laugh.

"My family? They're probably busy."

Yeah, they were definitely busy. Busy taking care of her childhood sweetheart.

Jocelyn didn't call me until that evening.

She sounded incredibly annoyed on the phone. "Where did you run off to?"

"I just spent one night with Xander. What are you throwing a tantrum for now?"

A tantrum?

I looked up at the IV drip slowly falling into my vein. My voice was flat. "I'm at the hospital on an IV."

Jocelyn went silent for a moment.

When I finally left the hospital, Jocelyn was waiting outside. Of course, Xander was right there with her.

She looked me up and down with an irritated gaze.

Her tone was cold. "I thought it was something serious. It's just a stomach ache."

"Xander finally comes over as a guest, and the house is empty. You really have no manners, do you? Just like a typical unwanted outcast."