Chapter 2

Rumors were spreading through the office like the plague.

"I never thought Ms. Summers was that kind of person..." one whispered.

"You think you know someone, but you never really do. Making a young girl do something like that..." another one remarked.

"I heard Mr. Grant had a huge fight with her..." a third one chimed in.

I kept my face blank, ignoring all those looks of pity or disdain as I walked out of the office. Then I headed back to the big, empty villa.

Charles didn't get home until ten that night, reeking of booze.

"Still up?" Charles said, taking off his coat.

"Let's talk," I said, sitting on the couch in the dark.

He paused, and then sat down across from me. "About what? The whole thing with Sophie is over. It was just a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding?" I almost laughed. "Charles, I've supported her for years, and now she turns around and smears me. You really think that's just a misunderstanding?"

"So what do you want from her?" Charles's voice shot up, his exasperation clear. "She's just a girl with no one to rely on. Do you want her beg for forgiveness? Evelyn, when did you become so relentless?"

In his eyes, just wanting to clear my name made me seem relentless.

My voice shook as I replied, "And what about you, Charles? I'm your wife. When everyone else turns against me, are you not going to stand by me either?"

Charles went quiet.

After a long silence, he finally sighed. "Evelyn, it's not that I don't believe you, but... Sophie's had a tough time. She's just a student. Can't you cut her some slack?"

"So just because she's had a tough life, she gets to slander me however she wants? And you can stand by her and accuse me? Charles, are you my husband or hers?"

All the pain and anger I'd carried for two lifetimes finally burst out. I snatched a glass from the table and smashed it hard against the floor.

The sharp crack of breaking glass rang out, just like the trust that shattered between us.

Charles's face twisted with anger. "Evelyn, are you done making a scene? Just look at yourself. You're acting crazy."

My chest clenched so tightly that it felt like the air had been knocked out of me.

When I was desperate, all he saw was a crazy woman making trouble.

"Charles," I rasped, my voice raw. "Today, she can claim I forced her to sell herself, and tomorrow, she'll do something even more vicious. Go ahead, keep trusting her and defending her. But mark my words. One day, you'll regret it."

With that, I turned and walked upstairs without looking back.

Once I closed the bedroom door, I slumped down against it, completely drained.

Outside, I could hear Charles pacing back and forth, restless, and then the guest room door slammed shut.

He couldn't even bother to say a single comforting word to me.

I hugged my knees to my chest, crying in silence.

I cried for the tragic end of my previous life, and for the betrayal haunting me now.

*****

For the next few days, Charles and I barely spoke to each other, giving each other the silent treatment.

The hurt was still there, but mostly, I just felt numb inside.

That afternoon, I had to head back home because I'd left an important file behind.

As soon as I opened the villa door, the sickly-sweet smell of perfume mixed with disinfectant hit me.

I froze in the entryway.

Through the glass divider, I spotted Sophie wearing my apron, standing shoulder to shoulder with Charles in the kitchen.

She stretched up on her tiptoes to grab some spices, and Charles automatically reached out to help her, the two of them so close that they were practically brushing against each other.

"Charles, you have to slice the potatoes like this if you want them to really soak up the flavor," Sophie giggled, tilting her head playfully. She reached for the knife in his hand, her fingertips lightly grazing his as she took it.

Charles didn't flinch. Instead, he had an easygoing smile on his face, the kind I hadn't seen in forever.

"I never knew you could cook," he said.

"I used to make dinner for my mom all the time," Sophie chirped, her voice bright and teasing. But then her eyes dimmed a little. "Too bad... Now there's no one left who wants to taste what I make."

Charles's expression softened as he gently patted Sophie's shoulder. "If you ever feel like cooking, the kitchen's always open for you."

Watching them cut me to the core. It was like they were the real family, and I was just some intruder who didn't belong here at all.

"Ow!" Sophie gasped as blood started to bead on her fingertip.

Charles instantly took her hand. "You're such a careless girl. Come on, let me help you with that."

He led her across the room, and as they passed through the living room, they suddenly noticed me standing there. Charles looked caught off guard and quickly let go of Sophie's hand.

"Evelyn..." Sophie said timidly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I noticed Charles hasn't had much of an appetite lately, so I just wanted to make him something to eat... I'll go now."

She made a move to take off the apron, her eyes rimmed with tears.

Charles put his hand on hers to stop her, frowning at me. "Evelyn, Sophie's just worried about me."

I gave him a sarcastic smile. "Wow, I never knew you were this cheap. You'll take in any woman off the street, won't you?"

"Evelyn." Charles's face darkened. "Don't talk like that."

Sophie put on a show of tears, her voice soft and shaky. "Please don't blame Evelyn, Charles. It's all my fault..."

As she tried to take off the apron, she accidentally knocked over the olive oil, and the golden oil started to seep into the plush wool rug.

"I'm so sorry. I'll clean it up right away," she said in a panic, fumbling around and only making the mess spread faster.

Charles reached out and stopped her. "Leave it. It's just a rug."

His offhand remark sent a wave of bitterness crashing through my chest.

We picked out that rug together during our honeymoon in Estalia. He always said he loved the feeling of it under his bare feet.

To someone who never cared, those memories meant nothing at all.

I stared at the oil stain, then at Sophie tucked behind Charles. All of a sudden, the fight just drained out of me.

"Get out," I said, pointing toward the door.

Sophie cowered, her eyes darting to Charles, silently begging for his protection.

He drew in a long breath, and then gently took her by the wrist. "I'll take her home."

Not once did he look my way.