Chapter 2

When I got home, Ethan's Bentley was parked outside.

Through the cracked car window, a man's languid panting drifted out.

"Call me darling."

"Darling..."

"Who do you love most?"

"You, of course..."

"Such a good girl. I'd die for you."

I stood there, my face drained of color.

Even though the summer sun was scorching and hot, I felt like I was standing in freezing cold.

An hour later, Ethan walked in with his arm around a petite woman.

Seeing me sitting in the living room, Sophia acted like she'd suffered a great injustice, her eyes instantly welling up.

"Why is she here? Didn't you say this was our home?"

"Are you lying to me? You still can't let her go, can you?"

"Even if I love you, I'll never sell my dignity to be your mistress. I'm leaving right now!"

Ethan hurried to stop her, hugging and embracing her, trapping her in his arms. "What are you thinking? The marriage certificate has the official seal on it. You're my wife. This is our home. She's here to pack her things."

He looked at me without explanation or apology.

"Peyton, the suburban villa is quiet with few people around. Go stay there for a while."

My mind went blank for a moment.

Before anger could arrive, my heart felt a dull, physiological pain.

Three years ago, when we moved into this villa, Ethan had held me with reddened eyes.

"Peyton, this is our home from now on. You, me, and our children."

But now, this man who promised me a home was kicking me out of it three years later.

"Peyton, my wife isn't happy. I don't want to say it twice."

He smiled, but his lowered voice carried clear warning.

My sore throat felt blocked by soaked cotton.

I realized in a daze that he wasn't joking.

After a long silence, under his confident certainty, I nodded hoarsely.

"I understand."

Ethan stared at my retreating back, something stirring in his eyes. He suddenly strode forward and grabbed me, his voice softening slightly. "There's an event this afternoon. Come with me."

Just as I was about to refuse, he interrupted first.

"It's Sophia's first time at this kind of event. Help her with her dress and give her support."

I froze, feeling absurdly like laughing.

Thinking of the little time I had left, I didn't argue.

Before the event, Sophia claimed she had no suitable dress.

From my wardrobe, she precisely picked out the most luxurious birthday gift Ethan had ever given me—a unique dress worth six hundred million dollars with matching jewelry.

She held Ethan's arm while I carried her train, becoming the center of attention at the entire event.

The guests' mockery and whispered gossip followed me like shadows.

"Mr. Walker really knows how to handle women. Having his wife carry his mistress's train—she doesn't dare say a word."

"What Mrs. Walker? Don't you know Mr. Walker already got a certificate with this little mistress? Peyton is just trash who's been used for ten years. She's nothing."

"How stupid must she be to get nothing after ten years? Pathetic. Living like something worse than a dog—she might as well be dead."

I fled the banquet hall and hid in the restroom.

But I heard someone teasing Ethan.

"Ethan, Peyton followed you for ten years. Did you really get a certificate with that innocent girl?"

"She wanted security. It's just a piece of paper. What can it change?"

"What if Peyton runs away? Won't you regret it?"

My heart tightened, but I heard him laugh carelessly.

"Peyton's whole world is me. After following me for ten years, I've already broken her in. She's no different from a dirty old rag now."

"I know her too well. When I get tired of playing around, she'll still be standing there waiting for me like a good girl."

I couldn't hear the rest.

I walked to the sink, desperately splashing water on my face, finally biting down on the flesh between my thumb and index finger.

Watching water mix with humiliated tears splash into the sink, I didn't cry out loud.

Ethan, this time you bet wrong.

This dirty rag you despise won't wait for you anymore.

Turning to leave the restroom, I was suddenly struck across the face.