Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The fury inside me ignited like wildfire.

I had scrimped on every penny, wearing rags and skipping meals so Jared could have the very best.

Yet he looked down on me for smelling like fish, treating my blood and tears as worthless dirt.

He had shamelessly taken the money I earned with my bare hands and built a warm home with another woman.

I had wasted four years of my youth feeding a venomous snake, and I was not going to let it slide.

I gathered every single receipt and statement, storing them safely as evidence.

When Jared finally returned home, he was in high spirits.

He waved a cheap bakery box in his hand.

“The bakery down the street was having a sale, so I grabbed a cake to celebrate with you,” he said smoothly.

I stared at him in silence and took the box.

Perhaps out of guilt, he talked far more than usual.

“The hooding ceremony was an absolute bore,” he said, shaking his head. “The dean’s speech was so long and dry I nearly fell asleep. Thank goodness I did not make you come, or you would have been bored to tears.”

I looked at the clearance sticker on the cake box and asked in a low voice, “I heard that the spouses of honor graduates get called up on stage. Is that true?”

Jared’s smile froze, his eyes darting away nervously.

“Do not listen to gossip,” he brushed it off. “Academia is complicated. You do not need to worry about that stuff. You would not understand it anyway.”

A sharp, stabbing pain pierced my chest as my fingers crushed the cardboard box.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

Claiming it was a congratulatory call from an old classmate, he hurried out into the hallway.

I watched his legs move with astonishing speed and agility, and my feet carried me after him.

Around the corner, his voice was dripping with gentle warmth.

“Maisie, do not cry, baby. You know I love you.”

“Once I officially sign my faculty contract tomorrow, I will divorce her and give you and our child the real home you deserve.”

So that was his plan.

The moment he secured his bright future, he intended to toss me out like trash.

With shaking hands, I recorded every single word on my phone, sliding down against the wall in silent tears.

I refused to accept this defeat.

Late that night, after Jared fell into a deep sleep, I mustered the courage to check his phone for the first time.

Pinned at the top of his chat list was a contact with no avatar, named “My Star.”

The chat history was cleared out.

I tapped into her social media feed, and the latest post had gone up that afternoon.

“Happy graduation, my brilliant Dr. Coleman.”

The photo showed Jared holding his diploma with one arm wrapped tightly around Maisie on the auditorium stage.

Tears blurred my vision as I scrolled down.

Yesterday: “Dressing up today! A doctor’s wife has to look her best for the hooding ceremony!”

The photo was Maisie in her white dress, standing on her tiptoes to kiss Jared on the lips.

Last week: “The fruit of our love.”

The attached image was an ultrasound scan, clearly showing twenty-four weeks of pregnancy.

Rage surged through me, and I raised the phone, sorely tempted to smash it against Jared’s sleeping face.

Just then, a notification popped up as Maisie posted a new update.

“New home, double blessing! Tomorrow is Jared’s faculty welcome party and our housewarming celebration! All friends are welcome to join the fun!”

“10:00 AM, The Pinnacle Residences, Unit 1006. Our family of three cannot wait to see you all!”

Looking at the photo of them kissing inside the spacious, sun-drenched luxury apartment, the hatred in my chest grew wild.

I had miscarried twice from sheer exhaustion, while Jared and Maisie were joyfully welcoming a new life.

He had bought her a dream home with my hard-earned money and was throwing a lavish party for the world to see.

Meanwhile, he had treated me like a human ATM, draining me dry until I had nothing left.

My hands shook violently as I screenshot every single post on Maisie’s profile.

Jared, since you chose to be heartless, do not blame me for being ruthless.

You used my money to buy a luxury condo and host a grand banquet.

How could I possibly miss out on the celebration?