Chapter 2
It was really Zane.
He said, "There are no cameras on this floor of this building. Only I have the key to the spare laboratory.
"If she really comes over, let's put on our clothes and say we're doing an experiment."
The woman's teasing laughter came over.
She teased, "You're so impatient! Why doesn't your fiancée let you touch her?"
Zane sneered, "I'm the one who won't touch her. I think she's dirty.
"She had been abroad for six years. Who knows what she got up to over there!"
Every word hit me, and for a moment, my vision went dark.
The silver necklace fell soundlessly into the dusty corner.
Ignoring the cold tears on my face, I quietly walked out of the building.
The cold wind blew away all the negativity clinging to me, then I made a call to my father, Edgar Sterling.
I said, "Dad, cut off all support for Zane's project."
Just as I hung up, Zane's call came.
I hesitated for two seconds, but picked up the phone.
Zane said, "Honey, why didn't you reply to my message?
"I was worried you would be unhappy, so I slipped out while the data was running to contact you."
I said nothing.
I just looked up at the shadowy figures moving behind the curtains.
Zane continued, "The experiment didn't go well. I thought I could accompany you on Valentine's Day.
"I'm sorry, I broke my promise. When I win the prize, I'll definitely make it up to you with the most romantic holiday ever."
A sneer flashed through my mind.
The Prize? No way!
But I didn't expose his lie and just nodded.
Zane sounded happier, and his tone became eager.
He continued, "Honey, I know waiting for me all these years must have been tough on you.
"But you know that what I'm doing is for the future of our family!
"When I finally succeed, I'll be able to face Edgar with pride, and then we can be together forever."
The same words.
Over the past six years, he had said it countless times.
Back then, once I heard them, I'd soften.
Now that I listened to it again, each word pricked at my ears like a sharp needle.
It turned out that he could be panting on top of another woman.
And he still talked about our future like it was some holy vow.
My chest felt numb and cold.
I was so stunned, I couldn't even speak.
On the other end, a faintly flirty moan came.
Zane said hurriedly, "Get some rest, honey. Dr. Felix Curtis calls me back."
He hung up immediately.
I just stood there for a long time.
Only when the cold had seeped into my bones, and my fingers felt stiff as ice, did I finally force myself to send a message.
Yvonne: [Help me look into someone.]
Soon, a detailed investigation report was sent over.
She was a junior two grades below us, Wendy Blair.
I stared blankly for a long time.
No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't reconcile the sweet junior from my memories, the girl who used to follow me around, with the cocky, defiant star of those scandalous posts.
She was the person Zane hated most.
Wendy always said, "Zane must have had a miracle fall into his lap to win you over! He's not even good enough for you, Yvonne!"
They always argued. He thought she was annoying, and she thought he was way too calculating.
On the day I went abroad, Wendy came to see me off.
She said, "Yvonne, just go study abroad and leave everything to me! I'll definitely help you keep an eye on him.
"If he dares to smile at another girl, I'll tell you right away!"
Who would've thought she'd keep such a close eye on him that she'd end up sleeping with him?
When I got to the last page of the report, a photo was on it.
Under the streetlight on a rainy night, Wendy was crouched on the ground, sobbing.
The screenshot was a chat Zane sent to his childhood buddy, Toby Reed.
Zane: [She suddenly confessed, but I refused. I told her not to play these mind games with me.]
Zane: [But she said she knew it was wrong to do this to Yvonne, but honestly, who can control their heart?]
Zane: [She squatted in the rain and cried like an abandoned kitten... So my resolve just crumbled.]
Zane: [We agreed. Just this once, we'd give in to temptation. When Yvonne comes back, we'll break up, pretending that nothing happened.]
But feelings weren't something you could just shut off whenever you wanted.
It went from just this once to she understood me like nobody else.
In the end, they wish I would never return.
They were both in on it, and the resentment they had for me just kept piling up.
It seemed that they only dragged my name through the mud, the easier it was for them to pretend their own affair was spotless.
I pushed open the door to the apartment I gave Zane.
The place reeked of some other woman's perfume, sharp and overwhelming, almost burning my nose.
I pushed all the windows open, and the cold wind came in. Only then did I feel like I could finally breathe.
I flung open the closet and threw his clothes on the ground one by one.