Chapter 2

2

Dominic shoved me aside, grabbed the car keys, and walked out without a second look.

After their long separation, they clearly didn't want to waste a single second. That very night, they went to a hotel owned by the Beaumont Group.

When Vivienne called, I was just picking up my dinner from a restaurant.

"I have a business meeting tonight. I won't be back," she said.

Her tone was so superior, as if speaking to me was an act of charity.

I held the phone and watched her walk past the window, laughing as she leaned into Dominic's arms. I paused for a second before responding with a quiet "Okay."

Dominic was the golden boy of the Sterling family, and Vivienne was the head of the Beaumont empire. Many eyes were watching them.

A paparazzi caught them on camera and posted the photos online.

With the Beaumont name attached, the story hit the top of the trending charts within minutes.

Years ago, their engagement was public knowledge. Everyone thought they were a perfect match, including me.

But for some reason, they had a messy breakup. Dominic left the country and didn't return for three years.

People speculated that Vivienne had cheated and Dominic left out of heartbreak.

Because of those rumors, people dug into my background. My family's bankruptcy was dragged into the light again.

The public decided I was the home-wrecker who drove Dominic away. The comments sections were filled with insults directed at me.

I watched for a while, but as I was about to close the app, a new topic popped up.

It pushed the story of Vivienne and Dominic's romantic reunion right off the front page.

#Lyra Montgomery Returns

The familiar name made me freeze. Before I knew it, my finger had already clicked on the hashtag.

There was a photo of a woman in a simple white shirt. Her expression was indifferent, and she had a distinct red mole at the end of her eyebrow.

She was a world-renowned professor who had been hired back to the city with a massive salary.

As I read her bio, a wave of bitterness washed over me.

She had become such a radiant, successful person.

I rubbed my aching stomach. Through my blurring vision, I seemed to see that young girl from years ago.

In the pouring rain, Lyra had stood outside my front gate for an entire night.

She had sent me a text: "Kieran, I'm only asking once. Do you really not want me anymore?"

I hadn't replied. Back then, the Rhodes family was drowning. To keep her from going down with us, I had to be heartless.

"Fine, Kieran. You're something else. Don't you dare come begging for me back later," she had sent as her final message.

Then, she blocked me on everything and moved abroad following her family's wishes.

I hadn't heard a single word about her for years.

I never imagined that when I saw her again, she would be exactly who she always dreamed of becoming.

That was good. It was for the best.

I closed my eyes tightly. I could already imagine her looking at my current situation with nothing but mockery.

What would she think of me?

She probably thought I got exactly what I deserved.

That night, as I was getting ready for bed, I received a friend request on my phone.

The note simply said: Lyra Montgomery.

I stared at the name for a long time. Finally, I took a deep breath and hit accept.

She sent a video immediately.

In a dimly lit VIP booth at a bar, Vivienne was wrapping her arms around Dominic's waist. They were flirting shamelessly.

I typed back: 【Are you here to laugh at me?】

She didn't reply instantly this time. The "typing" notification appeared and disappeared several times.

Finally, a message popped up: 【Kieran, is this really the life you chose?】

I put the phone down in silence, choosing to avoid the question.

On my nightstand sat the divorce papers I had asked a lawyer to draft months ago.