Chapter 2

2

The moment I pushed open the heavy club door, the stench of expensive liquor and vape smoke hit me like a wall.

"Look who finally showed up! The househusband is here!" someone yelled over the bass.

A burst of laughter erupted from the couch, laced with cruel amusement.

These people made my skin crawl. Sierra's shallow socialite friends only knew how to kiss her ass, and I never understood why she kept them around.

At first, they used to treat me with polite respect. But ever since they smelled trouble in our relationship, they turned me into the butt of every joke.

"Look at how chill he is! Sierra is surrounded by gorgeous guys, and he doesn't even look jealous."

Of course I was furious, but showing my anger would only give Sierra the reaction she wanted, so I kept my face blank.

The booth was dimly lit, hiding Sierra's expression, but I caught the cold smirk on her lips.

She had texted me to drive her home, yet the party showed no signs of stopping.

With no open seats left, I had to stand by the entrance, enduring their mocking stares.

Did she call me all the way across town just to humiliate me in public?

I couldn't stand the suffocation anymore, so I spoke up, "What time are you planning on heading home?"

Even with the music blasting, Sierra heard me clearly. She gave me a sideways glance, then deliberately turned away to chat with someone else, leaving me hanging.

At this point, even if I screamed in her ear, she would just pretend to be deaf.

I walked over, picked up a microphone from the table, and spoke clearly over the speakers:

"If you're not leaving now, I'm heading out on my own!"

The room went dead silent for a second before someone broke the tension with a scoff.

"What's the rush, man? It's barely midnight. Waiting a few minutes won't kill you."

The rest of the crowd chimed in, turning their guns back on me.

"He's got quite a temper lately. No wonder Sierra is bored of him."

"Don't be a party pooper, we just got started!"

Sierra listened to them tear me down until she was satisfied, then drawled slowly:

"You're so boring. What am I supposed to do if I go home with you?"

Her suggestive remark sent another wave of laughter through the room.

A pretty young model cuddled up to Sierra's side, playing with her manicured fingers and whining, "I'm way more fun, right, beautiful?"

Sierra let him stroke her hand, but her icy eyes were locked on me, savoring my humiliation.

I tried to keep my composure, but my gaze kept drifting back to the guy clinging to her waist.

It felt like eight years of devotion had been thrown straight into the trash, only to be paid back with endless disrespect.

I took a deep breath, reminding myself that the mission was almost over and I would be out of here soon.

Right in the middle of their jeering, a drunken woman slurred loudly, "Hey Sierra, if you're bored of him, why don't you lend him to me for a couple of nights?"