Chapter 3

3.

"You always said your money was my money. I can spend it however I want!"

"So I bought a watch. Big deal!" she said, acting like she was the victim.

If I hadn't seen her with my own eyes, I would have never guessed she was cheating.

She was a master of manipulation.

I didn't know how long this had been going on.

But I knew one thing: I would never tolerate a cheater.

She was tainted.

"Did you give that watch to another man?" I asked.

Her eyes flickered with fear for a split second, and the color drained from her face.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I'm tired. I'm going to take a shower," she muttered, trying to push past me.

I grabbed her arm and tossed my phone onto the coffee table.

On the screen was the photo I had snapped of her kissing that man.

"I gave you an out. I didn't cause a scene in the street," I said.

"Now, give me an explanation."

She shoved my hand away, her face twisting with rage. Her voice hit a screeching pitch.

"Fine! I'm seeing someone else. So what?"

"He has real money. He can give me a life where I don't have to work. He can give me luxury."

"What can you give me? A smelly food truck and a cramped apartment?"

I stared at her, stunned by her lack of remorse.

We had been married for eight years.

Every single hour of those years, I had labored for our future.

I didn't make her a millionaire, but she lived better than most women her age.

I took her on vacations. I bought her designer bags while I wore shoes with holes in the soles.

I thought love could be earned through sacrifice.

Instead, I had sacrificed everything for a betrayal.

"Jaxson, I am done with this pathetic life!"

She lunged at me and kicked me hard in the shin.

Then, she grabbed a heavy hardcover book from the shelf and hurled it at my head.

The sharp corner of the book caught my forehead, and blood immediately began to soak my hair.

The book thudded onto the floor.

"I... I didn't mean to do that," she stammered, looking momentarily shocked.

I looked at her panic and felt nothing but cold laughter in my heart.

Eight years together.

I had ruined my health for her. I had cut off my own family for her.

She never cooked. She never cleaned. I did it all after working twelve-hour shifts.

She spent her weekends playing the rich housewife with her friends while I funded the lie.

And now she had broken my skin after breaking my heart.