Chapter 3

For the past two years, Derek had been flying over to see me almost every two months.

My chest felt so tight I could barely breathe. I kept my eyes locked on Derek in the rearview mirror while he drove.

I noticed his grip on the wheel tightened just a bit before he explained to Bailey, "We weren't really close before.

"I was on a business trip in Adele's city not long ago, so I reached out to her, and we started talking more after that."

My chest felt like it was about to explode.

Bailey let out another mocking laugh. "Oh, so she's the Adele you've got saved in your phone as the car dealership saleswoman, right?"

My nails dug into my skin, and Derek replied slowly, "Yeah, that's her."

I couldn't even describe the ache in my chest. It was so overwhelming that I almost couldn't hold back my tears.

Bailey, sitting right next to Derek, unbuckled her seatbelt and shot a look straight at me in the backseat.

Bailey sneered, "Wow, you really are shameless, aren't you? Messaging my boyfriend morning and night like it's nothing.

"Couldn't you find any guys back in your hometown? So you just have to flirt with mine?

"And don't think I didn't notice those private pics you sent Derek. You really think you're all that? You think a couple of photos are enough to seduce my man?"

As she spoke, Bailey whipped out her phone.

Bailey sneered, "See? Derek sent me all your pics. I even showed them to his buddies and some of my friends. Everyone said you look so sweet and innocent, but turns out you're just a little slut.

"When I first found out you were sending Derek those photos, I was actually thinking about blasting them at your office.

"But Derek said your family's broke, your mom's got cancer and barely hanging in there, and he barely even bothered with you, and he dumped you right in front of me.

"So I decided not to mess with you. But now, you actually have the nerve to show up here? Unbelievable."

Bailey's words hit me like a punch to the chest, leaving me breathless.

It made me remember the last time Derek came over. After we made love, he locked himself in the bathroom for two hours, talking on the phone.

He told me it was some issue at work, but I wondered if Bailey found out he was cheating at that time.

I only sent those photos to him because Derek was my boyfriend.

The pain in my chest was so overwhelming I could barely breathe, and tears finally spilled down my face.

I couldn't take it anymore. Furious, I banged my fist against the back of the seat a few times.

"Derek, aren't you going to explain yourself?" I shouted.

Derek acted like he didn't hear me, just kept his foot on the gas.

But I saw his ears turn red. That was always his giveaway when he got really nervous.

My heart sank instantly.

I couldn't take it anymore. Furious, I shouted, "Stop the car. Let me out!"

Bailey, sitting next to Derek, sneered, "Stop the car? Keep dreaming. You came all the way to my doorstep trying to seduce my boyfriend. Did you really think I'd just let you off that easy?"

Then she turned to Derek. "Derek, didn't I tell you? If you ever hook up with this slut again, I'll kill her."

Derek went silent again, and I started slamming my fists against the car door in anger.

"Open the door. Let me out!" I shouted.

By the time my fingers were red from pounding, Derek finally snapped.

"Enough, Adele! Can you stop with the drama? I'll drop you at the train station. If you want to leave, then go," he snapped.

When I heard Derek say that, I totally lost it. I was yelling at him like I was losing my mind, my voice shaking with rage.

I said, "Seriously, Derek? After seven years together, you go and cheat on me behind my back?

"And now you just sit there and let her call me a homewrecker right to my face? When I found out you were getting married, I was just going to slip away quietly, let you have your happy ending.

"But no, you just let her humiliate me in this car.

"Wow, you really are unbelievable. Because you waited for me for seven years, I was feeling guilty the whole time.

"I even came all the way here on Christmas Eve just to see you, and this is how you treat me?"

I never wanted to say any of this out loud. Honestly, I really did love Derek. Back then, I loved him with everything I had.

After catching him cheating and finding out he was about to get married, I was angry and heartbroken, but I still thought I could just grit my teeth and put up with it.

It was my decision that made us do the whole long-distance thing in the first place.

Bailey, sitting next to him, mocked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Oh, so now I'm the other woman, is that it?" she snapped.