Chapter 2

Henry was unloading things from the trunk, moving my gifts for his parents one by one inside.

His parents, Emma and Bob, along with his brother Edward and sister-in-law Fiona, were all there. The family greeted Vivian cheerfully at the door.

Emma warmly grabbed Vivian's hand, her wrinkles blooming into a big smile. "Vivian, finally you're here. Come in, it's cold outside."

Henry put down the last box of wine and, as he turned around, caught sight of me standing under the streetlight.

His face dropped in an instant.

"What are you doing here?" Henry strode over, looking both shocked and angry.

I ignored him, letting my gaze drift past him to the family behind him.

When Emma saw me, her smile disappeared in a flash, replaced by a look of utter disdain. "Look who finally decided to show up. You just have to stir things up and ruin everyone's mood on Thanksgiving."

Vivian hid behind Emma, peeking out at me, her eyes red as if she'd been terribly wronged.

"Charlotte, please don't be upset," she said. "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have asked you to go get coffee."

Henry immediately cut in to defend her. "What does this have to do with you? She's just being petty and making a fuss over nothing."

Bob frowned and waved his hand impatiently. "Enough. Why are you all arguing at the door on Thanksgiving? The neighbors are watching. Let's take this inside."

The whole family crowded around Vivian as they walked in, like she was the real lady of the house.

I stood there like an outsider, left out in the cold.

Only Fiona glanced back at me, looking like she wanted to say something, but in the end, she just went in with the rest.

I took a deep breath and followed them in.

As soon as I stepped inside, a wave of warmth hit me.

The dining table was already piled high with dishes, like a feast fit for a king.

Emma was warmly loading up Vivian's plate, fussing over her. "Vivian, eat more. You're so skinny. You must be tired from the long drive. Come over for dinner more often, okay? Make yourself at home."

Vivian replied sweetly, "Thank you, Emma."

Henry sat next to Vivian, peeling shrimp for her, doting on her in a way I'd never seen before.

No one even looked at me, like I was just a ghost in the room.

I walked up to the table and pulled out the only empty chair, taking a seat.

Emma glanced at me and sneered, "Oh, so you actually came to eat? I thought you were so stubborn you'd stand outside all night."

I didn't say anything. I just picked up my fork and ate quietly.

"Cat got your tongue? I'm talking to you!" Emma slammed her fork down. "Charlotte, you have to apologize to Vivian today."

I looked up at her, my gaze calm. "Why should I apologize?"

"You..." Emma sputtered, clearly furious. "You upset Vivian and left the whole family stranded on the highway, and you still think you're in the right?"

"I was the one left on the highway," I corrected her.

Henry shot up from his seat, pointing right at me. "Charlotte, that's enough. With everyone here, you still want to make excuses? It's your fault. Apologize right now."

"Yeah, Charlotte," Fiona finally spoke up, her voice soft. "It's better if we all just get along. Just say sorry to Vivian, and that'll be the end of it."

I looked at her and couldn't help but find it amusing.

This family really had their act together.

I put down my fork, letting my gaze sweep over everyone at the table before finally locking onto Vivian.

"I'll apologize if you want," I said. "But first, why don't you tell everyone what kind of relationship you really have with my husband?"

Vivian's face went ghostly pale.

Henry was livid. "What are you talking about? Vivian and I are just friends."

"Friends?" I curled my lip. "So you left your wife on Thanksgiving just to spend time with a friend?

"You used my money to win over your friend's parents?

"You even slept with this friend?"

I nearly screamed the last question.

The whole living room went dead silent.

Everyone gaped at me, their faces twisted with anger and panic.

Emma was the first to react, slamming her hand on the table and pointing at me, her voice shrill with fury. "You lunatic! How could you spout nonsense like that? Henry would never do something so disgusting.

"Vivian is a wonderful girl. Don't you dare smear her with your filthy lies."

Henry was also yelling furiously, "Charlotte, say one more word and I'll tear your mouth apart!"

I pulled out my phone, pulled up a photo, and slid it to the center of the table for everyone to see.

The picture showed Henry and Vivian, completely naked and tangled together, sleeping soundly in a bed at a motel.

The date on the photo was three days ago.