Chapter 3

3.

I knew Candice sent it. She had pulled this petty trick dozens of times over the past six months.

Seeing photos like that used to tear me apart with rage and grief, but now I only felt a cold numbness.

Candice was nothing more than a cheap knockoff of Garrett’s first love, Clarissa Reed.

Clarissa had been his high school crush, the girl he spent years worshipping.

When Garrett’s family went bankrupt and his mother fled with their remaining money, Clarissa dumped him without hesitation to study abroad.

After that brutal betrayal, Garrett changed completely.

He became paranoid and insecure, terrified of being abandoned yet desperate for devotion.

I had quietly loved him since high school and stayed by his side when he was at rock bottom.

Naturally, I became his easiest target and most devoted doormat.

Yet, he never allowed a single trace of me in his public life.

On social media, he flaunted fine dining, sports cars, and luxury trips, but never once posted my face.

When business partners asked if he was married, he stayed silent and let them speculate.

Whenever I asked why we couldn't announce our marriage, he claimed he hated putting his private life on display.

I believed his lies and tried to be understanding.

Then his affair with Candice blew up all over the media with endless photos and viral videos.

I cried and begged him to clear the rumors, if only to save our dignity.

He simply pushed me away in disgust.

“Are you whining again? How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t like broadcasting my personal life!”

“Garrett, please...” I sobbed, trying to reason with him.

“Say another word and we’re getting a divorce!” he barked.

His threat choked the words right out of my throat.

He used that weapon whenever I dared to speak up.

I had loved him so much that the thought of losing him terrified me.

So I backed down every single time, lying to myself that he loved me in his own broken way.