Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I returned to the apartment where I had lived for seven years.

The place was pitch black.

I flipped the switch, letting the warm light wash over me.

Every corner held our memories.

Every piece of furniture was set up by Garrett according to my exact preferences.

I walked into the bedroom and dragged out the small suitcase hidden deep inside the closet.

It was tiny, holding only a few changes of clothes, my essential documents, and the savings I had scraped together over the years.

Everything else was bought by Garrett, and I had no intention of taking any of it.

Our wedding photo was still sitting on the vanity.

I remembered how windy the beach was that day. He held onto me so tightly, terrified I would be blown away.

I teased him for being paranoid.

He looked at me with dead seriousness.

"I have to be. You're so tiny, what if a gust really sweeps you away?"

The memories burned like acid.

Tears threatened to spill again.

I forced myself to swallow the pain.

Suddenly, the front door clicked open, followed by hurried footsteps.

"Annie?"

I shoved the suitcase back into the closet instantly.

Garrett walked in, his face tensing when he saw me sitting on the floor.

"Why are you sitting on the floor?"

He reached down to pull me up.

I pretended not to see his signing and stood up on my own.

"I'm just tired."

Then, I heard Leanna's voice drifting from behind him.

"Garrett, which guest room is mine?"

My entire body froze.

Garrett's pupils shrank. He hastily signed to me:

"You must be hungry. I'll make you some dinner."

Without waiting for a response, he rushed out.

I heard him whisper harshly to Leanna in the hallway.

"Didn't I tell you to keep quiet? I don't want Annie finding out."

Leanna brushed him off casually.

"Oh, come on. I'm going to my room now. I just couldn't find it. Why are you so mean to me?"

I heard the wet sound of Garrett kissing her, his tone softening significantly.

"Fine. Stay here for a few days. Once I put Annie to sleep tonight, I'll come to your room."

"Hmph, you better be quick, or the baby and I are gonna punish you!"

The blood in my veins turned to ice.

Garrett actually brought his mistress into our home!

Thank God I had already booked my ticket out of here.

As for why Leanna was here, it didn't matter anymore.

I took a deep breath, trying desperately to steady my shaking hands.

I had no appetite left.

After splashing cold water on my face, I lay down in bed.

Sometime later, Garrett cautiously pushed the door open, setting a steaming bowl of noodles on my nightstand.

"Annie."

Seeing no reaction from me, he leaned closer to examine my face.

"Are you mad at me?"

"I forgot you can't hear me."

"Leanna and I are completely over. You have to trust me."

"You're the only one I love. When you wake up, I'll prove it to you."

He leaned in to kiss my cheek.

Sensing his movement, I casually rolled over to the other side to dodge it.

He let out a helpless sigh.

Then, he took the bowl of noodles and left the bedroom.

Hours later, muffled moans and heavy panting echoed from the guest room down the hall.

Leanna wasn't holding back at all.

She didn't care in the slightest that I was in the very same apartment.

My tears finally broke through, streaming down my face in the dark.

It was utterly sickening.