Chapter 2
Looking back now, I couldn't believe how foolish I was back then.
I spun around and left without looking back.
The wind was howling outside, making it hard to breathe.
But it wasn't really the wind.
It was the years of living like a loser that were choking me.
I walked into the most expensive beauty salon in town, where a monthly membership cost a six-figure sum.
Back then, I wouldn't even dare to look twice at a place like this.
All these years, I'd been hiding my own light just to protect Eugene's fragile ego.
I'd become the perfect housewife he wanted, burying my own dreams and talents.
I had the copyrights to more than a dozen hit songs, but I never let myself enjoy any of it.
I didn't dare drive a fancy car or buy a designer bag, even though I could easily afford them.
I was terrified that even the tiniest detail would set off Eugene's insecurities.
After dying once, I finally came to my senses.
"Give me your best specialist and the priciest package you've got," I said confidently.
The receptionist was momentarily stunned.
She clearly hadn't expected someone dressed so plainly to demand the VIP treatment.
But she was well-trained and quickly put on a professional smile. "Of course, ma'am. Right this way."
I was pampered by the salon's top specialists, with products fit for a socialite.
The VIP suite boasted floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the glittering city skyline at night.
*****
Three hours later， I looked at myself in the mirror. It was like seeing a completely different person.
I never realized I could look this good.
I was done selling myself short.
I headed straight to the designer stores and went wild shopping.
I'd just set my eyes on a stunning dress.
To my surprise, I bumped into Maria, who had just finished her concert.
Eugene was standing right behind her.
He was carrying three or four shopping bags, looking every bit the dutiful sidekick.
The moment Eugene spotted me, his face froze.
He obviously hadn't expected to see me in such a luxury store.
For a brief moment, I caught a flash of admiration in his eyes.
But he immediately tried to knock me down a peg.
"Why aren't you at home like you should be? What are you doing in a place like this? Don't you know you're supposed to be thrifty and take care of the house?" Eugene said with a scowl.
I looked down at all the shopping bags Eugene was carrying.
Every single one was a designer label.
He was generous with Maria.
Right now, all I could feel was a mix of regret and irony.
Maria strutted over.
She snatched the dress right out of my hands and said, "This style is totally made for me. I'm taking it."
I bit back my anger and said, "I grabbed it first."
Maria sized me up, a smug little smile playing on her lips.
"Taylor, not everyone can pull this off. Only someone with the perfect body could wear it," she said.
"Don't worry about me," I replied coldly.
"I'm just being nice, you know," Maria said.
She gave me those puppy eyes, acting all hurt like I was bullying her.
Eugene jumped in right away to back her up. "A dress this gorgeous would be wasted on you."
He talked to me like I was some beggar he couldn't wait to brush off.
"Give it to Maria. She just finished her concert. She deserves something special," he said.
So, for Eugene, me wearing the dress was a waste, but Maria deserved it? What a joke.
All those years I spent with him were nothing but a joke.
Maria flashed a fake, conciliatory smile, pretending to smooth things over.
She said, "Taylor, don't get upset. My concert was a smash hit, and honestly, I couldn't have done it without your song.
"Pain really does make for the best music, doesn't it? So in the end, Taylor, you should be thanking me."
My hands clenched into fists before I even realized it.
She had that same smug look on her face when she caused my miscarriage.
She came over to my house as a guest, and on the stairs, she "accidentally" bumped into me.
I tumbled down the stairs, and I lost my baby.
The doctor said my uterus was damaged, and it would be nearly impossible for me to get pregnant again.
Eugene always said he'd never forgive her, not in this lifetime.
Yet he went ahead and took the song I wrote in memory of my baby.
He used it to catapult Maria to stardom.
Maria's voice snapped me back to reality. "The StarVoice team has already invited me to compete as a contestant.
"I'll be performing your song on the show, too. So, as a token of my gratitude, I'll let you have this dress."
She handed me the dress as if she were bestowing a royal favor.
Staring her down, I said, every word clear and cold, "Stealing my song was easy, but let's see if you can actually handle it."
With that, I grabbed the dress and marched over to the checkout.
Maria's face darkened at my words.
Just as I was checking out, someone suddenly shoved me hard from behind.
I lost my balance and fell backward, metal rods and hangers came crashing down on me.
The old back injury from childbirth flared up. The pain was so bad I couldn't move, just shaking all over.
Gritting my teeth against the pain, I managed to turn my head.
That was when I saw Eugene already at the register, clutching the dress and paying for it.
He'd actually shoved me aside—just for Maria.
I bit down hard on my lip, refusing to let the tears fall.
This was just pathetic.
After paying, Eugene glanced at me lying on the floor, and for a brief moment, I caught a flicker of pity in his eyes.