Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Recently, I heard some unsettling news: Julia, Tristan's first love, had divorced.

She was coming back to the country.

I frowned, feeling a bit agitated. It wasn't jealousy over the return of Tristan's first love. It was because I feared that with her return, Tristan would no longer need me as her stand-in. If that happened, I wouldn't be able to stay by Tristan's side to protect Rory's heart.

On the day Julia returned, Tristan went to the airport. He didn't come back for several days. Just as I was pondering how I could stay by Tristan's side, Julia came to find me.

I had to admit, Julia was indeed beautiful. The photos didn't do her justice. Even though my face had been surgically enhanced to perfection, there were still subtle differences when compared to hers. Looking at her face, a sense of crisis welled up inside me. I didn't know how much longer I could stay by Tristan's side.

She looked me up and down and then sneered. "So, you're the woman who had plastic surgery to look like me just to stay by Tristan's side?"

"You did a good job, but in the end, you're just a counterfeit."

She continued to belittle me, but I didn't really listen. My mind wandered, thinking about whether Tristan had been keeping a regular schedule these past few days and whether his heart was functioning properly. I glanced at the beautiful woman in front of me. Had they been intimate these past few days? Would the overindulgence affect his heart?

Seeing my distracted look, she assumed I was worried about being kicked out by Tristan. She mocked, "A fake is always a fake. I advise you to leave Tristan voluntarily. Even if you don't, Tristan will eventually ask you to leave."

I couldn't help but laugh. "So what if you're Tristan's first love? How can you be so sure he'll kick me out?"

I leaned in and whispered in her ear, "After all, for the past three years, every time we were in bed, he called my name, not yours."

Seeing her face darken with anger, I felt a sense of satisfaction. Although I wasn't sure what Tristan would ultimately decide, at least for now, I had won.

That evening, I finally saw Tristan after several days. He looked tired, with bags under his eyes. I frowned, feeling a surge of discontent. It wasn't his own heart, and yet he was neglecting it again.

I spoke with a sarcastic tone, "Mr. Roberts, you must have been lost in the arms of a beauty that you forgot to come back. Do you need some herbal remedy to replenish your energy?"

Even though I knew I was just a stand-in, I never let myself be treated unfairly. If I wanted to be angry, I would be angry. If I wanted to retort, I would retort. If Tristan really didn't want me anymore, I could always keep him under lock and key. That way, I wouldn't have to worry about his busy work affecting his heart.

Tristan frowned, looking puzzled. "What are you talking about? I've been on a business trip abroad these past few days. I just got off the plane."

I was stunned and blurted out, "Weren't you with your first love?"

Tristan looked confused, frowning even more. "First love?"

Seeing his puzzled expression, I said directly, "Julia."

Tristan finally remembered, his face showing a look of realization. Then he pulled me onto his lap, wrapped his arms around me, and buried his head in my shoulder, laughing softly. "So, Claire, are you jealous?"

Jealous? Why would I be jealous? I didn't love him at all. I silently thought to myself.