Chapter 3

If this had happened before, hearing him take Sophia's side like that would've torn me apart.

But right now, the anger and panic over my missing necklace left no room in my heart for his favoritism.

Before he could get another word out, I cut him off, my voice rushed. "I'm going to look for my necklace."

Andrew seemed to realize he'd gotten it wrong. His lips moved like he wanted to say something, but he just stayed quiet.

On the way, Andrew kept glancing at me, searching for answers, but I just kept avoiding his eyes every time.

When we reached that dim, narrow alley, Sophia was there, eyes full of tears, looking like a scared little deer. She ran straight into Andrew's arms, clinging to him like he was the only safe thing in the world.

Her hair was all over the place, her face covered in tear stains—she looked so helpless, anyone would want to protect her.

"Andrew, you finally came! I was so scared... I thought something terrible would happen to me," Sophia sobbed.

She didn't even glance at me standing behind Andrew—or maybe, to her, I was invisible all along.

A nearby policeman who'd seen everything walked over and said to Andrew, "You're her husband, right? How could you let her wander around a place like this alone? Seriously, you need to be more careful. Just sign here and you can leave."

Andrew just kept nodding, not even trying to argue back.

He gently patted Sophia's shoulder, reassuring her in a soft voice, while signing the paperwork with his free hand.

I watched the whole scene, feeling nothing but bitterness inside.

Andrew had never been this gentle, at least not with me. That kind of tenderness was something I'd never gotten from him.

There was a time when I got cornered by some punks on the street. They blocked my way and demanded cash, threatening me if I didn't pay up.

I was scared out of my mind, handed over all my cash, and then called Andrew, hoping he'd come help me.

But at that moment, he was busy enjoying a concert with Sophia.

I was pouring my heart out over the phone, voice shaking with tears, but all he gave me was cold indifference and obvious annoyance.

He acted like I was ruining his perfect night with Sophia, and then he went and mocked me, "Can't you even come up with a decent excuse? Honestly, with the way you are, who else would ever want you except me?"

Before I could even get another word out, he just hung up.

Later, the cops brought me home and gave Andrew a stern talking-to, telling him he needed to look after me better.

I was so hurt, waiting nervously for Andrew to apologize, but instead, he just tore into me the moment I walked in.

"All you ever do is cause me trouble. What else are you good for?" he'd snapped.

I used to be so naive, thinking that once Sophia left the country, I could finally thaw Andrew's cold heart and get our marriage back on track.

But in the end, I overestimated how much I meant to him and underestimated just how much Sophia still mattered to him.

What was even more pathetic was that I never really knew Andrew at all.

Now, I was finally done lying to myself. It was time to put an end to this ridiculous charade.

I hurried over and stopped the cop just as he was about to leave.

Ignoring the two still wrapped up in each other, I said firmly, "I want to report a crime. Those two stole my two-million-dollar ruby necklace."