Chapter 2

"We've already made it through, so stop thinking about all that stuff. Besides, you have a son. If something happened to you, what would your son do?"

"That's right, we have Neymar, our child..."

"Sorry, I don't mean to interrupt your moment. I just have to ask, is this your child? So, are you saying you cheated on Karsen?"

I stood up from my chair, my gaze sharp as I looked at Evelyn.

Evelyn seemed to have just noticed me and looked a little embarrassed. She pulled herself from Rodolfo's arms and smoothed her tousled hair.

"Oh, Hollie is here, too. Don't be upset. After Karsen left, Rodolfo has always treated Neymar like his own son. So to Neymar, Rodolfo is like a father, making up for what he's missed."

When she stroked her hair, the barely-visible charm bracelet on her wrist stung my eyes.

When I first married Rodolfo, our family was not well-off.

After every tender moment, Rodolfo would tell me that when we had money someday, he would buy me a beautiful charm bracelet, so I could show it off in front of my friends.

Last month, on our anniversary, I saw that charm bracelet in Rodolfo's pocket while doing laundry. I thought he had prepared it as a gift for me.

That night, I happily made a big dinner, but at midnight, he told me he wouldn't be coming home. He said Evelyn's water pipe had burst and water was flooding everywhere; as a woman, she couldn't handle it alone, so he needed to stay and help clean up.

We had a big fight over this, and I never got the chance to ask him about the charm bracelet.

I would never have thought that it was now actually on Evelyn's hand.

My face darkened completely.

Rodolfo also frowned. "Hollie, don't say things like that. A woman's reputation is very important. If you talk that way, how is Evelyn supposed to face others in the future?"

Watching Rodolfo side with Evelyn so unwaveringly, I'd be lying if I said it didn't chill me to the bone. Yet I had no strength left for arguments within the confines of a hospital ward.

And right then, Evelyn put on her oh-so-understanding face. "Rodolfo, I'm sure Hollie didn't mean it. She only said that because she cares too much about you. After all, all women get jealous the same way. I'm a woman too. I understand."

At her words, Rodolfo's expression eased, but he still looked at me with clear dissatisfaction.

We were both women. How could I not understand Evelyn's tricks?

It sounded like she was speaking for me, but in reality she was labeling me as unreasonable and jealous.

"How about this, Hollie? Let's exchange contact info. If you can't reach Rodolfo one day, you can always call me."

Her tone made it sound as if she were the wife and I was the mistress.

But I didn't want to back down, so I added her contact information anyway.

Even though I was prepared for it, I still felt a sharp pain the moment I opened Evelyn's Instagram.

Every post inside was an unmistakable trace of their past romance.

The so-called love of adventure was just an excuse for Rodolfo to travel with Evelyn. While I was struggling at home to take care of the child, they went to travel to enjoy the endless grasslands...

They explored underwater mining caves together; although they never mentioned love, the way they looked at each other was full of trust.

I waved my phone angrily at Rodolfo and said, "It seems you spend much more time with your friend's wife than with your actual wife! Rodolfo, do you think that's appropriate?"

Rodolfo just shrugged indifferently. "You know, after Karsen passed away, Evelyn has been living alone and felt really lonely. I just accompanied her to help ease her mind."

I closed my eyes as despair washed over me.

There was no waking a heart determined to stay blind.

I turned and left the hospital room, asked my best friend to contact a private investigator. Since I was getting a divorce, I wouldn't allow all the assets to end up with Evelyn; I must find evidence that worked for me, so Rodolfo left with nothing.

Rodolfo stayed in the hospital for three days, and I went to pick him up together with Brian when he was discharged

The child hadn't seen his father in so long that he was beside himself with joy, clinging to him like a little shadow, begging for story after story, and even at bedtime asking again and again, "Daddy, you'll sleep with me tonight, won't you?"

I understood Brian's worries and concerns; whenever Rodolfo promised to sleep with him or spend time interacting, Evelyn always called him away

That was why Brian never felt secure.

Fortunately, this time Rodolfo gave Brian enough comfort and stayed with him until he fell asleep.