Chapter 4

When Averie got home, her phone buzzed with a notification.

She unlocked her phone and saw a photo waiting for her.

Soon after, another message popped up with a video.

In it, Lucy's cheeks were flushed, her voice shaky and breathy.

"Mr. Harper, you ripped the wedding dress I just got today," Lucy said.

Darren chuckled softly, leaning closer to Lucy's ear, his voice deep. "Wasn't the whole point of getting the dress so you could wear it for me?

"I even had Averie's designer make one for you as you requested. So, isn't it your turn to return the favor tonight?"

Lucy gasped softly as the video suddenly cut off.

Not done yet, Lucy sent another voice message.

"Oops, I forgot you can't hear anything, Ms. Levine. What a shame. Next time, I'll make sure to add subtitles to the video," Lucy said, chuckling while covering her mouth.

Averie's grip on her phone tightened, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

She never expected Darren to sow wild oats.

She thought, 'Darren, you asked the designer to make two wedding dresses, one for each of us. Is this your idea of love?

'I can't accept this kind of love, and I don't want it.'

Struggling against the pain, she wiped her tears away.

Her eyes landed on the engagement ring sparkling on her finger.

Averie stared at the ring for a long moment, then pulled it off and tossed it into the trash.

Darren had gone out of his way to meet with a jewelry designer, learning the craft to create the perfect ring. Once the design was finished, he went to the factory and made the ring himself, putting his heart into every detail.

When he proposed, he told her the only ring that mattered was the one he made with his own hands. He said that when she touched it, she'd always feel his love in every touch.

But now, his love felt different, twisted into something she hardly recognized.

The ring no longer held any meaning. All its significance was lost.

*****

Darren didn't come home until late that night.

As Averie felt the mattress dip beside her, a waft of perfume caught her attention. It instantly brought to mind the video of Darren and Lucy intertwined in a bed. A wave of nausea surged through her, and she bolted upright, rushing to the bathroom and gagging.

Seeing her like that, Darren hurriedly reached for his phone, ready to call the doctor, frantically signing. "Averie, did something upset your stomach today? I'll get the doctor right away."

With red eyes, Averie grabbed his hand to stop him.

"I'm okay. I just thought of some photos and videos that made me feel sick," she said.

Darren crouched down beside her, gently patting her back. Concern etched across his face as he signed. "Please don't look at that stuff anymore, sweetheart. It hurts to see you like this."

Unsure if sign language would convey his feelings, Darren took her hand and pressed it against his chest, letting her feel his racing heart.

When Averie looked down, she noticed several fresh marks peeking out from his unbuttoned shirt.

Her stomach dropped, and she doubled over, retching again.

'How can Darren be so shameless, coming home with another woman's marks on him and still acting all caring towards me?' she thought.

Darren looked more panicked than ever as he signed. "Who the hell sent those photos and videos to hurt you like this? If I find out who it is, they'll regret it."

A bitter smile formed on Averie's lips.

'Darren, you're the one who made me feel this way,' she thought.

Averie couldn't bear his fake concern any longer. She pushed him out and slammed the door shut.

"I want to sleep alone tonight," she said.

Darren kept calling her name from outside, worry lacing his voice, but Averie ignored him, pretending she couldn't hear anything. She crawled into bed and lay there.

Darren's flirtatious words from the video kept replaying in her mind.

When she first got together with him, he promised her a level of affection no one else would receive.

Back then, she thought he was her salvation.

But now, it felt like he was the one dragging her further into despair.

After all their unforgettable moments, he dealt her a crushing blow.

Averie closed her eyes, a single tear escaping down her cheek.

If she could go back, she wished she had never met Darren at all.