Chapter 2

2.

After dinner, he suddenly put down his chopsticks. "I have to work overtime at the observatory tonight. There's a rare star I need to observe."

I frowned, looking at him in confusion. "I didn't hear your phone ring. Plus, don't they usually notify you in advance? Why is it so sudden today?"

He froze for a second, then smiled with a hint of brush-off in his tone. "It's an urgent observation schedule. Consider it a temporary assignment."

I nodded, not thinking much of it.

As night fell, the weather forecast announced a temperature drop.

I remembered he hadn't worn much when he left. After hesitating for a moment, I drove to the observatory to bring him some clothes.

When I arrived at the observatory's parking lot, my phone suddenly buzzed.

It was a message from his assistant, Quinn Miller.

Seeing her name on the screen made my heart tremble with a sharp sting.

She had previously whined in front of me, complaining that Professor Townsend refused to give her his private number.

"But what if there's an emergency and I can't reach the professor?" Her fake, innocent voice still echoed in my ears.

Back then, Luke just laughed and said, "What could possibly happen? Don't let her interrupt our private time."

But out of basic politeness, I ended up adding her anyway.

After a brief hesitation, I clicked on her message.

In the video, Quinn was wearing a striking red dress with delicate straps. Her posture was seductive, and a smug smile was plastered on her face.

And standing right next to her was Luke.

His jacket was off, his tie hung loosely around his neck, and a few buttons on his shirt were undone. His collarbone was exposed, his eyes half-closed, looking exhausted but deeply relaxed.

The camera slowly panned, and Quinn purposely brushed her hand over the necklace on her neck. It was that familiar star pendant.

She lightly toyed with the pendant, her smile dripping with triumph. It was as if she was declaring her dominance and marking her territory.

I gripped my phone so hard the screen felt scorching hot, but my whole body was as cold as an ice cellar.

My instinct was to run away. But the anger and betrayal stabbed into my heart like sharp thorns, rooting me to the spot.

Like walking to my own execution, I forced myself toward the doors of the observatory.

The door was slightly ajar. I held my breath and listened to the noises inside through the crack.

Quinn's laughter was sickeningly sweet and clingy. She whined playfully, "Professor, do you really love it when I wear this red dress that much?"

Luke's low voice drifted over, carrying a hint of helplessness. "Keep your voice down... We can't let anyone see us."

"What are you afraid of?" Quinn dragged out her words like a spoiled child. "Who would even be here this late at night?"

My chest felt like it had taken a heavy blow. I leaned against the doorframe, my nails digging so deep into my palms that they almost drew blood.

I wanted to scream, but I forced down the overwhelming rage and humiliation choking my throat.

I didn't know how long passed before the sky slowly turned pale.

When things finally quieted down inside, I walked back to my car like a soulless ghost.

With trembling fingers, I reached for my neck and violently yanked off my necklace. The cold star pendant fell heavily into my palm.

The star that was supposed to symbolize eternity had now become the branding iron of him cuckolding me.

I squeezed the necklace, the metal nearly digging into my flesh.

My fingers shook as I dialed my parents, who were living far away in London. "What's wrong, Waverly?"

I took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress the tremor in my voice. "Dad, Mom, I want to come stay with you guys for a while."

The other end went silent for a moment before my mother asked with concern, "Isn't your seventh anniversary coming up? You're not going to spend it with him?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "There's no need for that anymore."