Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I met Zane five years ago during a brutal winter. My mother had just passed away, and I was in the darkest period of my life.

My relatives were circling like vultures, trying to snatch my parents' estate. They were family, but money turned them into monsters.

The stress was so high that my younger sister, Cassie, failed her college entrance exams.

Under the crushing pressure, I fell into a deep depression and had to seek professional help at the hospital.

That was where I met Zane.

He noticed how low I was and took the initiative to strike up a conversation.

He told me that nothing in the world is insurmountable as long as you're still breathing.

Zane was so gentle. Even though it was our first meeting, every word he said made me feel safe.

After that, I made excuses to find him every time I went to the hospital. Eventually, we became close, and I confessed my feelings.

Dating, the proposal, the wedding―it all felt natural and steady.

I thought I had found the love of my life. I felt so secure and happy.

But I was wrong. Zane wasn't emotionally stunted; he just didn't want to return my love.

Seeing him now, I finally understood. Jianna was his obsession, the girl he loved in his youth, the only one who could move his heart.

My spirit felt heavy. I forced myself to look away from them.

I had failed to kick Jianna out of Zane's heart.

I first found out about her during our third year of marriage.

While cleaning, I found a box tucked away in the back of the closet.

It felt like Pandora's box, practically begging me to open it.

Inside were stacks of photos and letters.

Every letter was addressed to "My Love, Zane." The photos were mostly of one woman.

On the back of the photos, in Zane's familiar, bold handwriting, were the words: "My dearest Jianna."

I recognized his handwriting instantly. There was no mistaking it.

Back then, I wanted to confront him, but I lacked the courage. I was already so in love with him that I feared making him angry.

Later, I hired someone to look into his past. That's how I learned Jianna was his first love.

They had grown up together. They even went to the same university.

But in their sophomore year, her family suddenly moved abroad, and they were forced to break up.