Chapter 2
While I was still in Horan, the news that Leopold and Violet were on their honeymoon spread like wildfire through our social circle.
I'd been deliberately avoiding my phone these past few days, so I had no idea what Leopold and Violet had been up to.
Later, a friend told me about what happened.
It turned out that Leopold and Violet had been out together for a whole week, and Violet had been posting photos every single day.
In one post, she wrote: [Went hiking with Mr. Davidson today. He didn't even wait for me.]
She attached a photo of Leopold's back, striding confidently ahead.
Later, they took boat rides together, relaxed in hot springs, and even tried bungee jumping.
They traveled from city to city. They looked like a couple in love, leaving behind memories everywhere they stopped.
Seeing those photos hit me harder than I'd like to admit.
The very next day, I booked a flight out of Horan.
As soon as the plane touched down, I headed straight for Leopold's company.
I found Violet and slammed the photos she'd posted right in front of her.
I snapped, "Violet, did you really have to rub it in my face so soon?
"If you want to show off so badly, at least wait until Leopold and I are actually over. Why are you so shameless? Aren't you worried about what people will say?"
Violet's eyes went wide as she nervously chewed on her lip, looking panicked.
Violet blurted out, "You've got it all wrong. I just wanted to record this trip. I swear that it didn't mean anything else.
"Anyway, Mr. Davidson said it was okay."
The moment I heard Leopold was okay with it, it felt like a hundred needles stabbing straight into my heart.
I always thought Violet was just out to hurt me, but I never imagined Leopold would just go along with it.
He just stood by while another woman put me on blast in public, letting everyone accuse me of being a pathetic wife who couldn't keep her husband.
Leopold walked in after hearing Violet crying.
He gave Violet a tissue so she could dab at her eyes, then turned to me with a cold look.
"Danielle, you shouldn't be here. Get out," he said, his voice freezing.
I lifted my eyes to meet his, only to find them cold as ice.
My eyes started burning. I could feel the tears rising up.
I spun around in a hurry, but before I even made it a few steps, he suddenly called my name.
Leopold said coldly, "Danielle, this is the last time I'm going to tolerate your antics.
"If this happens again, we're getting a divorce."
I let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh.
'How do you even file for a divorce when we are not even married?' I thought to myself.
I turned and looked back at him.
I saw Leopold gently brushing the tears off Violet's cheeks with his fingertips.
His every movement was so tender.
I'd always known Violet had a special place in Leopold's life.
She became Leopold's secretary right after graduating from college.
For the past five years, she'd spent more time with Leopold than I ever could.
I always believed that if I loved Leopold enough, he'd love me back too.
But now, reality really hit me hard.
Love was never something I could earn, no matter what I did.
Leopold clearly hadn't expected me to turn back. His hand, which had been reaching out to Violet, instinctively curled a little.
I just looked at him and smiled.
"Leopold, forget about next time. We are over," I said.
"Danielle, it's all my fault. I'll resign right away. Please don't blame Mr. Davidson," Violet stammered.
She grabbed Leopold's sleeve, tears rolling down her cheeks once again.
"Mr. Davidson, if you just coax your wife a bit, she'll forgive you," Violet said pleadingly.
"If she wants to split, that's fine by me. Just don't come begging to me again in a few days," Leopold scoffed.
Violet's begging only made Leopold even angrier.
I let out a wry laugh as I watched Violet drape herself over Leopold again and again, and he never once pulled away.
No one knew that after pining for Leopold for five years, I'd never even held his hand once.
The day he finally agreed to be with me, I finally dared to reach for his hand.
But the moment my fingers grazed his pinky, he instantly recoiled as if I'd shocked him.
Leopold's expression was as cold and distant as ever. In that moment, he coolly said, "Sorry, I'm just not used to it."
My face burned with embarrassment, and I couldn't help feeling a faint twinge of disappointment.
I could only keep comforting myself, thinking everything would get better after we got married.
But today, I finally understood that he just wasn't used to me touching him.
I looked at Leopold one last time, feeling nothing for him anymore.
When I got home, I told my family I didn't want to be with Leopold anymore.
My parents stared at me in shock, but a look of concern and unease flickered across their faces.