Chapter 2

2

"Don't say that, they're actually married," Quinn said with a giggle. Yet, she didn't move an inch. She kept her arm hooked firmly around Landon's.

Feeling like he'd lost face in front of his friends, Landon glared at me. "Everyone is having a good time. Don't be a killjoy."

"You used to be so sensible. Why are you still standing there? Just get out." He was right. I had always been the compliant, obedient wife who knew her place.

Even now, as Quinn pretended to pour a drink while practically sitting in Landon's lap, I didn't blink.

I even stepped forward to help them aerate the wine. "Don't drink too much. I'll have some hangover soup ready at home."

I even made sure the door was closed properly as I left. Behind me, the group looked at me like I was a freak of nature.

"Landon, your wife is a saint. How does she put up with that? It's creepy," one of them muttered.

Landon, sounding a bit tipsy, scoffed. "She's just annoying. She clings to me like a parasite."

"If it weren't for my parents, I would have dumped her a long time ago." His words were like a jagged blade twisting in my chest. I laughed until tears pricked my eyes.

But it didn't matter. It didn't matter that he liked someone else or that he didn't love me.

I just wanted him to stay by my side.

Back at home, I spent the night making soup, reheating it every time it got cold.

Landon never came home. I found out what he was doing through a viral post on social media.

【Breaking! Tech Mogul Landon Sterling Spotted at Luxury Hotel with Mystery Woman!】

I clicked the link. It was a long post with a blurry photo of a man and woman hugging.

In the photo, Landon held the slender woman possessively. They weren't even hiding from the cameras; they were laughing and looking into each other's eyes.

The comments were filled with people praising how beautiful they looked together. I expected to feel nothing, but my vision blurred anyway.

Then, I saw Landon's own post from ten minutes ago. It was a picture of their backs as they stood side by side.

The caption said, "My heart belongs to only one person, and it's you." He tagged Quinn and shared their location at a famous boutique hotel.

So, after kicking me out, he went straight to a hotel with her. In the last photo of the set, I could even see rose petals scattered on a bed.

It was so romantic. I knew if I dared to ask, he would claim it was just "friendship" or tell me I was being crazy.

We had been married for five years, and he had never once acknowledged me in public.

And now, on our anniversary, he was flaunting another woman for the whole world to see.

I gripped my phone, let out a dry laugh, and then another.

Eventually, I made a decision. I liked the post, left a comment, and reposted it, wishing them a great time.

Strangely, less than five minutes after I reposted it, his post was deleted.

My phone rang immediately. It was Landon. I answered, a tiny, foolish spark of hope still flickering in my heart.

I wanted to ask him what that post meant. But before I could even say "Hey," Quinn's voice came through the line.

"Jade, don't believe the gossip. I got too drunk last night, and Landon just looked after me at the hotel. We didn't sleep in the same bed. You're so big-hearted, I know you won't mind…"

Landon cut her off, shouting into the phone. "She's depressed! I was just trying to cheer her up. Did you have to embarrass me like that?"

"How am I supposed to look our friends in the eye now? Can't you do anything besides being a jealous shrew?"

The lump in my throat wouldn't go down. I just gave a cold laugh. "Then stay with her. Enjoy yourselves."

Landon seemed stunned by my reaction. There was a long silence on the other end.