Chapter 2

2

Gunnar and I had been married for five years, but we still didn't have any kids.

The elders in the family had been pressuring us, but since we were both focused on our careers, we told them we'd wait a couple of years.

Later, once the company was stable, Gunnar told me he knew how much I feared pain. He said we could wait until I felt truly ready.

I was so moved by his consideration.

I never imagined that his reason for sparing me from the pain of childbirth was so another woman could do it instead.

He probably started seeing Yara a long time ago. He used my fear as an excuse so he wouldn't have any ties when he finally asked for a divorce.

The realization felt like a knife twisting in my gut.

Just a moment ago, I was feeling sorry for Cora. Now, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at my own life.

The happiness I thought I had was nothing but a web of lies.

"Come on, baby, don't be upset. It's not good for the little one. Zia and I have been married for so long―our assets are all tangled up."

"Just be patient. Once I've sorted the finances, I'll divorce her immediately. I just need a good excuse. You know how close our families are."

Yara pouted, looking unconvinced.

"I'm giving you one month. Otherwise, I won't be able to hide this bump anymore."

Gunnar let out a sigh of relief and pulled her back into his arms, whispering sweet nothings.

Looking at him now, I couldn't recognize the boy I had grown up with.

When did he become this person?

The only reason he was stalling the divorce was to make sure he kept his money.

I walked back to the table and sat across from Cora, feeling numb.

I downed a glass of straight bourbon, and the burn helped clear the fog of anger in my mind.

It hurt like hell, but I wasn't going to roll over and die for a man who had cuckolded me.

So what if we had ten years of history? I, Zia Vance, had simply bet on the wrong horse.

If I stormed over there now to expose him, he would have the upper hand. I needed cold, hard evidence first.

I focused. I got the drunk Cora home first, then immediately called my cousin. I asked him to hire a private investigator to track Gunnar and Yara.

If I was going to be heartbroken, he was going to be broke.

My cousin moved fast. It didn't take long for the files to land in my inbox.

Gunnar was careful, but Yara was a show-off. She had a secret social media account where she posted all their romantic dates.

Gunnar's face or hands appeared in almost every video and photo.

My cousin even found records of them checking into hotels for the last two years.

Every time Gunnar said he was traveling for work, he was actually taking Yara on vacation.

The details I had ignored for years suddenly clicked together like puzzle pieces.

Gunnar had been growing distant for a while. The intimacy had faded into a routine.

He spent more time on his phone at home, and when I complained, he'd just hug me and say he was under a lot of stress.

He asked for my understanding.

Looking back, what kind of CEO needs to handle business at two in the morning every single night?

Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a text from Gunnar.

"Hey babe, I'm stuck at a late dinner with clients. It's going to be too late to drive back, so I'll just crash at a hotel near the office."

I let out a cold laugh. He really could lie without even blinking.

"Okay, honey. You're working so hard. Take tomorrow off to rest."

"Thanks for being so sweet, babe. Get some sleep."

I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly.

Having seen his betrayal with my own eyes, the initial agony was being replaced by a strange, icy calm.