Chapter 2

2

"I'll take good care of Cora. She's my bride tonight."

Following that provocative text was a photo.

In the picture, a tall, thin man held the woman by her hair, pressing her against a bathroom sink. His other hand held his phone, capturing the moment in the mirror.

The angle made it clear what they were doing. You couldn't see anything explicit, but the woman's face was perfectly clear.

Cora's expression of pure bliss and her hazy eyes felt like a sting to my heart.

But it only lasted a second. I touched my chest and let out a soft chuckle. I shouldn't have held onto any hope for her.

Zackary was just a social climber trying to marry into wealth. Since she loved him so much, I decided to step aside.

I ignored him and dried my hair, ready for bed.

Maybe my lack of response annoyed him, because when I checked my feed again, he had posted a status.

The caption read:

"A woman's heart stays where she sleeps.

Even if she's forced into a loveless marriage for family interests, she can't be caged.

On her wedding night, she'll do anything to be by my side.

She won't let any other man lay eyes on her body.

In every way that matters, she is my wife!"

He posted a full grid of nine photos.

One showed the woman happily resting her head on his chest.

Another showed their hands intertwined on white sheets.

One was a close-up of her neck covered in hickeys...

I admit, it still hurt a little. But it also hardened my resolve. I would never be soft-hearted again.

I took a screenshot of Zackary's post and shared it on my own social media.

My caption was simple:

"On our wedding night, my wife informed me her heart belongs to someone else. We have decided to part ways peacefully."

I turned off my phone and went to sleep.

I thought I would toss and turn, but I actually slept without a single dream.

The next morning, as soon as I turned my phone on, my father called.

I expected a shouting match, but the other side was silent for five seconds. After he calmed down, my dad finally spoke: "You hit the wall, Silas. From now on, just live well."

There wasn't a single word of blame.

Suddenly, my nose stung and my eyes grew hot.

"Yeah," I nodded firmly, swallowing the bitterness. "I'm sorry, Dad. I embarrassed the family. It won't happen again."

I had been so foolish. Not only did I throw away my own dignity, but I also made my parents targets for gossip.

My dad let out a heavy sigh. "As long as you're okay," he said, then hung up.

My parents had warned me that forced love is never sweet. I just firmly believed that Cora's fling was temporary. I thought she would eventually choose a suitable husband, and I was the best option.

When Mr. Hayes approached me, I secretly felt smug. I thought I was the only one who could truly make her happy.

I really failed my parents. Marriage isn't just about two people; it's about two families.

After the call, I saw hundreds of unread messages and missed calls.

Cora's parents and Cora herself had called multiple times. Relatives and friends were blowing up my phone too.

Close friends were asking what happened. Even business partners sent "polite" check-ins.

Since I didn't answer, Cora sent a barrage of texts.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why did you post that? Are you trying to shame me into coming back?!"

"Your tactics are getting more disgusting! I'm telling you, I look down on you. I only love Zackary!"

"Fine, you want to show everyone you're being cuckolded? Let's see who ends up more embarrassed!"

Cora kept spitting venom. Seeing no response from me, she posted another status. Her logic was exactly the same as Zackary's.

Her caption read:

"A marriage without love is just a prison. Even if I'm forced to marry, my body will always be loyal to my true love."

We had many mutual friends. Some couldn't stand it and called her out in the comments. Cora didn't care; she just cursed them all back.

I didn't reply to anyone. In this marriage, my conscience was clear.

When I posted that status, I was burning all the bridges.

She was no longer the little girl who used to follow me around. It was time to clear my heart of this obsession.

I quietly liked her post, then put my phone away to get ready for work.