Chapter 2

What really sent a chill down my spine were those tiny, unmissable signs.

Ethan's clothes began carrying a perfume I didn't recognize. Sweet and alluring, it lingered on his shirt collar for ages.

In his pockets, I found hairpins that weren't mine, delicate women's bracelets, movie stubs, and restaurant receipts. All meant for couples.

His WhatsApp chats were always wiped spotless. But every so often, he'd forget to delete a thread, and I'd spot pet names, sweet talk, and lines like "Goodnight, baby" or "I miss you."

Staring at those harsh words, a cold numbness washed over me. My legs went weak, and I could barely stand.

Denial coiled tight in my chest. The man who'd once vowed never to let me down, who'd promised to stand by me for life, could really betray me. Betray our marriage.

When I tried to confront him, he'd flat-out deny everything, calling me paranoid and unreasonable. Or he'd blow up, accusing me of distrust, then storm out. Left alone in the empty room, I broke down sobbing.

He'd say, "Chloe, can you stop being so ridiculous? What's the point of checking my phone all the time?

"Those are just clients. It's just business. Don't overthink it.

"When did you become like this? So sensitive and suspicious, like some bitter, jealous wife."

Every word he spoke cut like a knife, driving deep into my heart.

Had I really become that resentful, nagging woman?

Once, I'd been a sharp, glamorous designer. Now I was just a full-time homemaker, running myself ragged day and night, my looks fading, sacrificing everything to hold this family together, to stand by him. In the end, he called me a resentful, nagging woman.

How ironic. How gut-wrenching.

Night after night, I lay awake. When I closed my eyes, visions taunted me. Him cozying up to other women. His icy stare. Ethan's mom's harsh words.

Food tasted like ash. Sleep wouldn't come. In just a month, I'd dropped over ten pounds. My face went pale, my eyes dimmed. The light in me was gone, barely recognizable even to myself.

Andy's small hand brushed my cheek, his voice sweet and innocent. "Mommy, are you sad? If Daddy won't stay with us, I'll keep you company."

Looking into his trusting, unknowing eyes, my chest ached like it was splitting open.

I couldn't break. Not with Andy to think of. He couldn't grow up in a broken home, not without his mom there.

For Andy, I swallowed it all. Pretended nothing was wrong, clung to the broken marriage just to get through each day.

I thought if I just stayed quiet, he'd come back. We'd be whole again, and Andy would still have a real family.

But I was wrong. The more I gave in, the worse he got. He did whatever he wanted, no care in the world.

The last straw? Catching him cheating right in front of me.

It was Andy's birthday. I'd ordered his cake early, made all his favorite foods, waiting for Ethan to come home so we could celebrate together.

I waited from dusk till midnight. Andy nodded off on the couch, cake candles half-melted. Ethan still hadn't come home.

Worry gnawed at me. I drove to the hotel he always used for work events, ready to bring him home.

At the hotel entrance, I saw the one thing I'd never wanted to witness.

Ethan had his arm slung around a stunning young woman as they stepped out, tangled up. He kissed her forehead, his gaze soft in a way I hadn't seen in years. That tenderness was gone from me long ago.

I knew her. Vivian Reed, his new assistant at work.

They climbed into the car, still holding each other tight. As it pulled away, I sat frozen in my driver's seat. Tears spilled over, and I broke down sobbing.

Turns out every excuse was a lie. Every brush-off was deception. Every cold shoulder meant he'd fallen for someone else.

He wasn't busy. He wasn't at work. He was just with another woman, being all soft and sweet, whispering sweet nothings.

He'd forgotten Andy's birthday. Forgotten our seven years of marriage. Forgotten every promise he'd ever made to me.

Stumbling home broken, I found Andy fast asleep. Cold dishes sat untouched on the table, and our wedding photo hung on the wall. My heart had shattered into pieces, impossible to put back together.

Ethan stumbled in late, reeking of perfume and booze. He froze when he saw me on the couch, eyes red and puffy, then frowned, sharp and annoyed. "What's wrong now? Who are you moping for this time?"

My voice came out hoarse and shaking. "Ethan, today was Andy's birthday. Where were you?"

His eyes darted away, evasive. "I was working late. Lost track of time. I'll make it up to Andy tomorrow."

"Working late?" I laughed, tears streaming down my face, chest splitting open. "Or were you at the hotel with your assistant Vivian? How long are you going to lie to me, Ethan?"

His face shifted in an instant, from flustered to cold. He dropped the act, no more pretending.

"Yeah, I'm with Vivian now. She's sweet and gets me. Unlike you, always nagging and complaining. Being with you is exhausting," Ethan said.

"Sweet and understanding, huh?" I stared at him, my heart turning to ash. "I gave up my career, my dreams, stayed home for Andy, ran the house, waited on you and your mom.

"Who made me this way? Ethan, look at your own heart. Are you fair to me? To Andy? To our seven years of marriage?"

"Marriage is just routine. Nothing exciting. I stopped loving you long ago. It's just family now," he said coldly. "If it wasn't for Andy, I'd have left you ages ago."

No love left. Only family.

That line shattered every illusion I'd ever held. It wiped out the last shred of hope I clung to.

Seven years of giving everything. Seven years of holding on. Seven years of loving him. None of it mattered. It was worthless to him.