Chapter 2

"Look at her outfit. She must've had a rough few years. Now that Solomon's made it big, she's probably gonna shamelessly try to worm her way back into his life," one of the bystanders whispered.

Everyone else was on high alert. After all, everyone in the circle knew all the drama between me and Solomon.

They were all worried I'd make a scene in front of everyone.

Back when things got really ugly, I didn't even hesitate to ram my car into Solomon, breaking three of his ribs.

They fought to save his life for a whole day and night before he finally pulled through.

The first thing he did after getting out of the hospital was keep me locked inside, refusing to let me step out.

Everyone thought I was just losing it out of jealousy.

But only I knew the truth. The day before, I'd just buried my mother. When I went to find him, I saw him gently tuck a stray blossom behind Luciana's ear, his gaze soft as ever.

In that moment, a wave of hatred surged through me.

On the seventh day of being trapped at home, I burned everything that tied us together, photos, gifts, diaries—every last thing.

I looked Solomon straight in the eye and said, word by word, "From now on, we're done. There's nothing left between us."

Solomon's eyes narrowed slightly, but he kept his cool and asked, "So, you're breaking up with me?"

"Yes," I replied.

Then he laughed.

His eyes were dripping with sarcasm and disbelief, like he couldn't believe I'd actually said that.

"I'll be waiting for the day you come crawling back, begging me," he said.

Five years later, the unfamiliar face before me gradually overlapped with the man I once knew.

Strangely, I didn't feel a thing, not the anger I expected, not even that old, searing hatred.

To me now, Solomon was just another stranger.

Solomon stared me down, his eyes full of complicated emotions. Then he shot out a sarcastic remark.

"I figured you'd just rot out there and never come back. But the second people hear I'm getting married, you show up all eager," he sneered.

"Too bad, I don't want you anymore," he added.

His eyes stayed glued to me, like he was trying to see if I'd flinch or look hurt.

But all I did was absentmindedly fiddle with the diamond ring on my finger. What Solomon didn't realize was, I only came back to Solviora to tag along with my husband for some charity event.

Honestly, the only reason I bothered coming to this reunion was to thank a friend who helped me out after my mom died.

Seeing me stay silent, Solomon figured he'd struck a nerve. There was a smug little smile on his face.

He glanced over at Jairo.

Jairo immediately pulled out the seat next to Solomon and called out, "What are you all standing around for? Come on, Jolene, sit next to Solomon. Tell us what you've been up to these past five years. You disappeared for five whole years."

He looked like he was just here for the show. I knew he was waiting for me to admit that life without Solomon hadn't been so great.

But I just ignored him and grabbed the nearest seat by the door.

A flicker of annoyance crossed Jairo's face.

Solomon gave me a once-over and let out a mocking laugh. "Well, look at you, keeping your cool this time."

Yeah, if this had been back then, I would've already started a fight with him.

But now, I just didn't see the point.

Seeing me keep quiet, Luciana sidled up to me with a grin. "Jolene, why didn't you give me a heads-up before coming back? Should I ask Dad to set up a room for you?"

She looked at me all smiles, but honestly, I just felt sick to my stomach.

Luciana was my half-sister, just seven months younger than me—born from my dad's affair while my mom was still pregnant with me.

My mom stood by my dad through the hardest days of his startup, but the second he started making money, he dumped his pregnant wife.

He wanted to make it clear that Luciana and I were worlds apart.

My whole mess of a life started with my dad, and Solomon knew every bit of it.

At first, he couldn't stand Luciana either.

He was super sensitive to malice, and he never missed how Luciana treated me.

So whenever Luciana tried to cozy up to him, Solomon acted like she didn't even exist.

But then, after we fought, he stayed out all night.

That night, Luciana sent me a photo.

In the dim glow of the movie theater, Solomon was looking toward the camera with a gentle smile, his eyes full of affection.

I was burning up, barely conscious, and Solomon didn't get me to the hospital until the next day.

When I finally came to, he was sitting there looking totally wrecked. Even that tough guy had red eyes for the first time ever.

"You scared the hell out of me. The doctor said it was acute pneumonia. You almost..." Solomon choked out.

"If I didn't have you, I wouldn't want to live either," he said, his voice trembling.

Hearing him choke up like that, my heart clenched with a sour ache.

But before I could get a word out, the hospital door swung open and Luciana strolled in, arms full of white chrysanthemums—like she was visiting a funeral instead of a sickroom.