Chapter 2

2

At four in the morning, the front door lock beeped.

I quickly locked my phone, buried my face into the pillow, and steadied my breathing.

The bedroom door creaked open.

A heavy smell of alcohol, mixed with the night chill, instantly rolled in.

A pair of warm hands wrapped around me from behind.

“Sadie...”

Gavin’s voice was hoarse, thick with drunken exhaustion.

“Are you asleep?”

He nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck, his warm breath fanning across my skin.

I pretended to wake up groggily and turned over.

“Gavin?”

In the dim glow of the nightstand lamp, I saw his face clearly.

He wore that same devoted expression, his brow furrowed as if he had suffered the greatest injustice in the world.

“Sadie, I’m so sorry.”

He took my hand and rubbed it gently against his cheek.

“I didn't call you these past few days because I was in so much pain.”

“Whenever I picture you smiling at another man, I go crazy with jealousy.”

“I just love you too much, and I’m terrified of losing you. Please forgive me, okay?”

What a flawless performance.

Swallowing the nausea rising in my throat, I forced a faint, fragile smile.

“It was my fault too. I shouldn't have made you misunderstand.”

Gavin visibly relaxed.

He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out an elegant jewelry box, and handed it to me.

“I bought this specially for you. Didn't you say you loved this necklace?”

I opened the box.

It was a classic Van Cleef pendant.

It was indeed the design I had admired for months.

Too bad it wasn't the watch.

That diamond watch was currently sitting on @SugarBarbie’s wrist, displayed like a conquered trophy.

“Thank you, I love it.”

I acted obedient and let him fasten the chain around my neck.

The cold metal pressed against my skin like a branding iron of pure mockery.

“I’m going to shower. I reek of alcohol.”

Gavin kissed my forehead and walked into the bathroom.

The moment the water started running, the smile vanished from my face.

I slipped out of bed barefoot and rushed over to his closet.

The suit jacket he had just taken off was hanging on the rack.

I leaned in and took a sniff.

Beneath the faint smell of whiskey lingered a subtle, sickly sweet perfume.

It wasn't mine.

I never wore such cheap, overtly seductive scents.

I immediately unlocked my phone and went back to @SugarBarbie’s profile.

My thumb flew across the screen.

Found it.

Three days ago, she had posted a picture of a pink perfume bottle with a caption dripping with arrogance.

【My irresistible scent today. Number Three smelled it and wouldn't let me go, calling me his sweet little darling all night.】

The date and the scent matched perfectly.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed with an incoming text from my best friend.

【Sadie, you have to read this! This girl is completely shameless!】

The attached link was titled: 《How to Keep a Taken Sugar Daddy Wrapped Around Your Finger》.

The author was none other than @SugarBarbie.

Every word on the screen felt like a needle stabbing into my eyes.

【The key is making him feel guilty.】

【For example, make him lie to his girlfriend and say he’s working overtime just to see you.】

【Or make him cancel an important anniversary with her just to comfort you.】

【Once he does it, the thrill of breaking the rules will make him even more hopelessly addicted to you.】

My knuckles turned white around the phone.

Last month.

Our seven-year anniversary.

I had booked the restaurant and put on my favorite dress.

At the very last minute, he called with panic in his voice.

“Sadie, an urgent corporate meeting came up and I have to pull an all-nighter. I can't make it.”

That night, I sat alone in front of a candlelit dinner until the wax burned out completely.

All along, his busy work schedule and emergency meetings were nothing more than obedience drills assigned by another woman.

The shower water stopped.

Gavin emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist and saw me staring at my screen.

“What’s wrong? Why aren't you asleep yet?”

He walked over, naturally reaching out to pull me into his arms.

I instinctively took a step back.

“Gavin.”

I looked up, meeting the eyes of the man I had shared a bed with for seven years.

“What is it, babe?”

A flicker of unease flashed across his eyes.

“Nothing.”

I locked my phone and offered a chilly smile.

“I just noticed that your body wash smells different today.”

Gavin’s face tightened slightly before he smoothed it over with a casual shrug.

“Really? Maybe the gym changed their brand.”

He had no idea.

It wasn't just the scent of his soap that had changed.

Our entire seven-year relationship was already dead.