Chapter 2

2.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a reply from the Research Director.

【We are thrilled you agreed to join this classified project. However, the minimum duration is five years. Will your wife agree to this?】

【It's fine. I'm getting a divorce.】

The Director's reply came back quickly, filled with gentle, cautious comfort.

He mentioned that Tessa's scandals had been all over the news lately, and he had long felt we weren't a good match.

Looking at those caring words on the screen, my nose stung with emotion.

In the past, I would have been the first person to step up and defend her.

Now, I only felt that everything had changed beyond recognition.

Back then, if there was even a baseless rumor about her, she would immediately post a clarification, terrified I would misunderstand.

Now, near-nude photos of her and Jared were plastered across the entire internet.

In those photos, the wedding band that had never left her finger was long gone.

It all probably started the day she first mentioned him to me with fond nostalgia.

"Have you seen Jared Cole from that recent talent show? He looks so much like you when you were younger."

From that day on, all the affection and attention she once showered on me seemed to find a shiny new replacement.

I locked my phone screen and slid it back into my pocket.

Still, I turned around and walked into the kitchen.

Not for them, but because today was my birthday.

I thought of it as cooking a final farewell meal for myself.

The aroma of food spread through the chilly house. I walked over to the master bedroom and knocked.

"Dinner's ready."

There was no verbal answer, only heavy, suggestive panting from within.

Frowning, I pushed the door open.

On the floor lay a torn piece of black lace lingerie.

I let out a breathless, bitter laugh.

I had bought something similar once, hoping to add some spark to our marriage.

No matter how I pleaded back then, she refused with a cold face, claiming it was too degrading.

Now, even while pregnant, she was eager to indulge in all these games for Jared Cole.

What a sick irony.

A designer shirt smelling of sweat and cheap cologne was thrown straight at my head, covering my face.

"You came in at the right time. Jared's shirt is dirty."

"The fabric is delicate and has to be hand-washed. Wash it clean and hang it up later."

I yanked the shirt off my head. The nauseating stench hit my nostrils, turning my stomach.

Unable to bear it any longer, I slammed the filthy shirt onto the floor.

"Why the hell should I?!"

"Don't push me too far, Tessa! I am your husband!"

Tessa stood up in disarray, her face flushed with lingering passion.

"Why are you yelling? You're useless now, so I'm not even allowed to enjoy myself a little?"

"Don't you want your father's treatment paid for? Don't you want the money?"

Jared stood behind her, wrapped only in a bath towel, staring at me with blatant provocation.

"Devon, I'm just fulfilling a husband's duty for you. Don't worry, I won't steal your title."

He stepped closer and leaned in, whispering in my ear.

"A useless freak who can't satisfy a woman! Your deadbeat dad deserved to die!"

Some insults could be swallowed, but some crossed every line.

I drew back my fist and drove it hard into his face.

I hadn't eaten or drunk anything in two days, surviving purely on fury. That punch drained nearly all the strength I had left.

Jared hadn't expected me to strike, staggering back several steps in shock.

Being younger and stronger, he recovered quickly and retaliated.

I dodged a few swings, but a heavy blow landed on my stomach. A dull, agonizing pain exploded through my gut.

My internal organs felt shredded, and a coppery taste flooded my mouth.

He gave me no time to breathe, stepping up and kicking my abdomen repeatedly.

Over and over again.

A mouthful of blood sprayed from my lips, splattering across the floor.

"Enough! Stop it!"

Tessa finally rushed over and held back Jared, who was still trying to kick me.

Her eyes landed on the puddle of blood in front of me. Her pupils contracted sharply, and a flash of panic washed over her face.

She instinctively took a step toward me, seemingly wanting to check on my injuries.

Held back by her, Jared suddenly switched his expression, whining pitifully.

"Tessa, it hurts so bad... Why did Devon hit me?"

Tessa's footsteps came to an abrupt halt.

All her attention was instantly captured by his hand, which was barely even red.

"Why were you so careless? Look, it's all red. Does it hurt?"

She actually bent down and gently blew on the faint red mark.

Meanwhile, I, her husband, coughing up blood on the floor at her feet, was treated like an eyesore of trash.

She finally shifted her gaze toward me, her eyes filled with nothing but cold, impatient detachment.

"You shouldn't have hit him today."

"Take a breather on your own. I'm taking Jared out to get his hand treated first."

With that, she supported Jared and walked out without looking back once.

I coughed up another mouthful of blood, but I found myself wanting to laugh.

Devon, oh Devon, what on earth were you still hoping for?

She truly didn't give a single damn about me anymore.

I wasn't even worth a tiny red mark on that boy's hand.