Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The sight of that used condom made me gag with intense revulsion. I nearly threw up right there in the car.

I reflexively hurled it out the window. As I looked down, I saw something sparkling on the floor mat.

I picked it up and realized it was an earring.

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

This was undoubtedly a woman's belonging.

With trembling hands, I stuffed the earring into my bag. My face was as pale as a sheet of paper.

Just then, the car door opened. Arthur climbed back in, waving a box of pastries with a cheerful smile.

"Hey honey, I got your favorite desserts. You can share them with Sienna at the cafe later."

I stared at him fixedly. It took every ounce of my strength just to hold back my tears.

Should I ask him?

Should I just say it out loud?

Should I lay all the cards on the table?

The accusations swirled in my throat, but in the end, I swallowed them.

I didn't dare. I was a coward.

I was terrified of hearing the answer I didn't want to know. I feared the reality of it.

Arthur seemed to notice my unusual behavior. He worriedly ruffled my hair.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling sick? Should I take you to the hospital?"

After a long silence, I slowly shook my head.

"Just take me to Sienna."

Right now, I just wanted to see Sienna Brooks immediately. She was the only person who could help me breathe again.

Sienna and I had grown up together. She had witnessed everything between Arthur and me.

She had even moved to this city specifically for me.

Every time Arthur and I had a disagreement, I would run to Sienna's place.

She would drink with me, binge-watch shows, and hold me through countless late-night crying sessions.

"Nora, moments like this make me realize moving here was the best decision I ever made. I'd hate myself if you had no one to lean on when you're sad."

Sienna wasn't just my friend or my bridesmaid. She was my only family in this city.

In this moment, I had no one else to turn to for help.

Arthur looked suspicious but complied, dropping me off at the cafe.

"Have a good chat with Sienna. Should I pick you up later?"

I shook my head frantically. "No, I'm staying at Sienna's place tonight."

I jumped out of the car and rushed into the cafe without looking back.

From a distance, I saw Sienna sitting in her usual corner spot.

My tears finally broke free, streaming down my face as I choked out her name.

"Sienna! Sienna!"

She stood up immediately. Her cheerful expression vanished as she saw me crying.

"Nora! What's wrong? What happened?"

"Don't cry, don't cry. I'm right here!"

I grabbed her hands, sobbing so hard I could barely speak.

"I... Arthur... he..."

Before I could finish my sentence, my gaze landed on her ear.

Sienna was wearing an earring in her left ear. The right one was missing.

The earring in her left ear was hauntingly familiar.

Because its twin was currently sitting quietly inside my handbag.

My ears started ringing. The sounds of the world around me completely faded into a void.