Chapter 3

3.

I first met Silas back in college.

He was a transfer student, and most of the other guys iced him out.

Rumors followed him everywhere, mostly because he kept to himself.

I was the only one who sat with him, talked to him, and helped him clear his name.

He used to tell me he was so grateful. He promised he would never forget what I did for him.

I never expected to be his girlfriend. Just seeing him smile was enough for me.

But then, out of nowhere, he asked me out during our senior year.

I knew something felt off, but I was too blinded by my own feelings to care.

Everything moved so fast. We graduated and got married almost immediately.

I thought I was living in a fairy tale. Then, he started getting cold. He stopped coming home at night.

One night, I worked up the courage to text him while he was out drinking.

He sent a voice note back instantly. I opened it, hoping for an apology.

Instead, I heard a woman's mocking voice.

"Are you done yet? We're trying to have some fun here!"

"Ugh, she's so annoying. Tell her to stop texting!"

My hands shook so hard I dropped my phone. I don't even remember how I got through that night.

The next day, Silas came home with hickeys all over his neck.

"Why the hell did you keep calling? I was busy! You upset Cora, and I had to spend all night calming her down!"

"Know your place, Elena. You're just a pathetic groupie. Stop causing drama!"

That was when I knew Cora Miller was back in his life.

He only married me because they had broken up and he wanted to get back at her.

I was never his wife. I was just a tool for his revenge.

I wanted to say something, but the words died in my throat.

A few days later, I asked Cora to meet me at a coffee shop.

She looked just like her photos, only more arrogant in person.

"As long as you stay out of our way, I won't make your life a living hell," she said.

I begged her to leave my husband alone so we could have a normal life.

I was so desperate that I didn't notice Silas walking into the shop.

Cora suddenly dumped her hot coffee all over herself and started sobbing.

Before I could react, Silas was there. He slapped me hard across the face.

"What is wrong with you? How can you be so malicious? Why are you bullying Cora?"

"I'm warning you! If I ever catch you bothering her again, I'm filing for divorce!"

I held my burning cheek and watched him comfort the other woman.

Cora looked at me over his shoulder, a smirk playing on her lips.

I tried to explain, but she beat me to it.

"It's okay, Silas. It's my fault for coming back."

"I just don't understand. Is it a crime to love someone?"

"As long as she doesn't hurt you, I'll take whatever she throws at me. I just want you to be okay."

Her words only fueled Silas's rage.

He was convinced I was the villain and she was the saint.

He didn't even give me a second glance as he walked her out of the shop.

I sat there and finally sent him a long text explaining everything.

But the red exclamation mark told me everything I needed to know.

He had blocked me.

He shouldn't have treated me like that.

Did he not remember the girl who stood by him when no one else would?

He was wrong, but I couldn't bring myself to hate him.

I just wanted him to be happy.

I guess that was my biggest mistake.