Chapter 2

After dinner, I cleaned up the mess. Stepping out of the kitchen, I saw the Dawson family's relatives and friends crowding around Charlotte, showering her with concern.

Suddenly, Maggie took out a gift and handed it to Charlotte.

Charlotte pretended to turn it down a couple of times before accepting it with obvious joy.

And my husband, Michael, stood off to the side, gazing at this perfect family moment like nothing could be better.

My chest tightened painfully when I saw this.

I couldn't bear to stay another moment. I came up with an excuse and tugged on Michael's arm, trying to leave together.

Charlotte clung to Michael's hand, gently swaying it and peering up at him with her wide, bright eyes. "Michael, we live in the same neighborhood. Won't you walk me home?

"You're really okay letting me go alone? You used to make sure I got home before you'd relax."

Since when had Charlotte moved into our neighborhood?

When I saw their hands intertwined, rage bubbled up inside me.

My reason was slipping away, the word 'betrayal' echoing endlessly in my mind.

I stared hard at Michael, my anger so clear that anyone who wasn't blind could see it.

Michael caught my look, shot me a nervous glance, and then quickly turned away, looking guilty. "Let's go," he said.

Charlotte let out a happy squeal, grabbed onto Michael's arm, and bounced out ahead.

Watching them walk away, I kept telling myself to save it for home. This was definitely not the place to make a scene.

So I swallowed my anger and held it in.

When we got to the elevator, I realized I'd left my phone behind.

I had no choice but to turn back.

After grabbing my phone and stepping out of the elevator, I hadn't gone far before I reached the parking lot.

From a distance, I saw a man and a woman wrapped up in each other's arms.

And of course, who else could they be but Michael and Charlotte?

Charlotte's voice shook with tears. "Michael, you were mine. If I hadn't gone overseas, I'd be the one marrying you right now. No one else would've come between us."

Came between you two?

She was obviously talking about me.

Right then, I was absolutely sure now. Michael really did cheat on me.

Then Charlotte kept pouting, sounding all pitiful. "See? Maggie still likes me just as much as she always did. If we got married, the whole family would be happy. Maggie wouldn't keep getting mad about the whole kid thing."

They were too far away for me to make out Michael's expression, but I did see him gently pat Charlotte on the back.

Then, to my shock, Charlotte tilted her head up and kissed Michael.

And Michael didn't push her away.

For a moment, white-hot rage surged through me. I wanted to run up, tear them apart with my bare hands, then just flush them into the nearest sewer and make them disappear among the rotten trash.

But I forced myself to stay calm. If I lost it now, I'd just end up making a fool of myself.

People who had no problem cheating out in the open clearly weren't ashamed of anything. They couldn't care less what I did. And if I caused a scene, that'd only make them hook up even faster.

What would I even get out of it? Nothing.

I forced myself to take a few deep breaths.

Pushing down the fury, I plastered a cold smirk on my face. If they wanted to put on a show, fine. I got a plan.

Let me see how these two dirtbags would perform.

I deliberately called out Michael's name loudly.

They scrambled apart, suddenly looking guilty.

I strolled over, smiling like nothing had happened.

Rolling my eyes at Michael, I teased, "Why didn't you answer? It's pitch dark here. People might think you two are sneaking around together."

They played it cool on the outside, but I caught that look of panic flash across both their faces.

When no one spoke up, I called her out directly. "Right, Charlotte?"

Her face went pale, and she froze up, totally caught off guard. She looked like she might shatter. She stammered, "I... I..."

Michael's gaze softened as he stepped in to defend her. "You're just being paranoid. Why are you interrogating Charlotte like this? Seriously, who'd do something so shady in a parking lot, anyway?"

Did he seriously believe his own lies?

Clearly worried I'd push even further, he quickly tried to rush things along. "Come on, let's go home."

I said I was feeling a little drunk and wanted to take a nap, so I slid into the back seat.

As soon as I settled in, I lay back and closed my eyes, feigning sleep.

It was all just to give them space—to see what they'd dare to do with a little freedom.

Of course, just as I expected.

The car barely left the parking lot before they were already holding hands up front.

I couldn't believe how brazen they were, carrying on like this right in front of me.

Making sure they didn't notice, I quietly pulled out my phone and hit record.

Just then, the car stopped at a red light.

Like they were showing off, they kissed during the pause at the red light, completely ignoring that I was sitting right behind them.

My stomach churned with disgust.

So sick.

I switched off my phone and kept up the act, eyes shut tight, still pretending to be asleep.

When we reached our building, Charlotte ended up in the elevator with us.

She looked all nervously apologetic, eyes wide. "Oh, Michael, you didn't tell Sophia yet? I actually live right above your place now. And Michael arranged it for me himself. Sophia, you don't mind, do you?"

No wonder Michael'd been pulling the whole 'working late' act and barely coming home.

It turned out that he set up a whole new home—right over ours.

Guess that nonsense about holiday overtime was just another excuse. He was spending Christmas Eve with Charlotte upstairs the whole time.

Nausea climbed up my throat just thinking about it.

I shot her a glare. "You two already went ahead and did whatever you wanted, so why even pretend to ask me now? If I said it bothered me, would you really move out?"

Charlotte instantly played the damsel, eyes swimming with tears as she stammered, "If it really bothers you, then I'll move out tomorrow—no, tonight."

Michael caught the icy tone in my voice and immediately wrapped Charlotte up in a protective hug.

He leaned down, murmuring sweet words to calm her.

When he looked up at me, the softness in his gaze vanished, replaced by outright disgust.

He snapped at me, his tone full of scolding. "Can you drop the spoiled princess act? Charlotte isn't your maid. How could you talk to her like that?"

I'd already made up my mind to end things between us, but watching him dote on Charlotte still made my heart ache.

Right as the elevator doors opened, I stormed out without looking back.

Honestly, being stuck in that elevator with the two of them for even a single second felt like torture.

Charlotte gently let go of Michael, gazing after me with that ever-understanding look. "She's upset, Michael. Go comfort her, okay? I'm really fine, it's just a little hurt. Don't worry about me."

Michael's heart ached for her even more. "You're always so thoughtful, Charlotte. Why even give her the time of day? If I comfort her now, she'll just get even more stuck-up with that spoiled princess attitude."