Chapter 2

2.

In that half-asleep state, I felt like I had drifted back to my college days.

During my sophomore year, a photo of me allegedly peeping in the women's restroom was leaked onto the campus forum.

I tried to explain to the school and to everyone, but nobody believed me.

The dean called me into the office.

They told me to write a public apology in front of the whole school, or I would be expelled.

I told them over and over that it was a setup and that I wanted to call the police.

But the school, fearing a scandal, threatened me with immediate expulsion if I involved the cops.

Just as the rumors were pushing me toward a mental breakdown, Selina appeared.

She was the only person who claimed to believe me.

She told me that rumors would eventually die out if I stayed strong.

I believed her.

While she stayed by my side, she claimed to be investigating the truth.

Not long after, the school posted a notice saying the photos were fake.

Even so, the incident was burned into everyone's memory.

No matter where I went, people looked at me like I was a creep.

Back then, Selina was the only light in my life.

She was the reason I kept going.

But yesterday, she admitted that the darkness I suffered was all her doing.

I wanted to scream at her and ask why.

Why would she frame me？

And why would she play the role of my savior when I was at my lowest？

I opened my eyes and watched the moonlight hit the floor.

My entire body wouldn't stop shaking.

I tried to think about my future, about what I wanted to do next.

But I realized with a hollow feeling that my entire life had revolved around Selina.

After all these years, I had forgotten who I was without her.

When I woke up the next morning, Selina had prepared breakfast as usual.

I looked at this gentle, virtuous woman and fought back the bitterness in my chest.

"Luke, what's wrong？"

Selina looked at me with eyes full of concern.

I just shook my head, finished my coffee, and left for work.

When I got to the office, my secretary was surprised to see me.

I was supposed to be on a two-day trip with Selina.

I made up a quick excuse and told her to send the company lawyer to my office.

The lawyer handed me a divorce agreement he had drafted according to my instructions.

I nodded and asked him to bring me all the contracts we had with Damian Sterling's firm.

Because of Selina, I had given Damian's company a lot of favorable deals.

She told me Damian had saved her life when they were kids, so I should help him out.

Now, it all felt like a sick joke.

Every contract was a reminder of how gullible I had been.

I took the documents and went to see my best friend, Leo Miller.

When I told him what happened, he was livid.

"I can't believe that woman is so twisted. After everything you've done for her, does she even have a soul？"

I gave a bitter laugh and shook my head. "I don't even know who I was married to."

"Let's not talk about her. I'm planning to move the company down South. What do you think？"

Leo shrugged. "I'm in. I told you before the industry is booming in the South anyway."

I looked at him with guilt. "Leo, I'm sorry I―"

Leo cut me off immediately.

"If you're really sorry, buy me dinner tonight."

I smiled and agreed.

Before the work day ended, Selina called and asked if I wanted to join her and some friends for a party.

In the past, I would have loved to go.

I used to think it was her way of bringing me into her world.

But now that I knew her friends were all laughing at me behind my back, the thought of them made me sick.

"No, I'm getting dinner with Leo."

Selina sounded noticeably relieved. "Okay, have a good time then. Enjoy yourselves."

But this city is smaller than it looks.

After finishing dinner, I stepped out of the restroom and heard Damian's voice.