Chapter 2
I booked a ticket for a week later. I planned to gather my belongings and erase every trace of my presence.
Three years of marriage had left our home filled with memories of Colin and me.
While removing our oversized wedding photo from the living room wall, another photo slipped out from behind it.
When I picked it up, I realized it was Colin and Selena’s wedding photo.
It turned out they had secretly taken a wedding photo and even dared to hang it up right here.
My heart dropped.
This book had been added on your bookshelf.
I opened our photo album, only to find that behind every photo of Colin and me, there was a hidden one of him and Selena.
He had even written notes behind them.
“Selena, you’re going abroad soon. I hate to see you go, but I have no choice. Don’t worry. I won’t make you wait long.
“You look amazing in your wedding dress. I promise you’ll be the only wife I’ll ever love..
“Selena, I’m thrilled you’re expecting. We finally have a child. You’re the only one who deserves to be the mother of my heir.”
That was when everything made sense.
Colin always insisted on taking photos of me. I kept turning him down,
Chapter 2
but he’d smile and talk me into it.
Now I realized he was using those photos to hide hers. I had been stupid enough to believe I was special to him.
With that thought, I removed all our photos.
Three people in a relationship were too crowded. They didn’t have to hide
anymore.
It took me three days to clear everything out.
I sent the jewelry Colin gave me to a charity auction.
Then, I donated all the clothes and books to children in poor mountain
areas.
I even burned every single photo he took of me. Just as the last one turned to ash, he came back.
This book had been added on your bookshelf.
He glanced at the ashes in the brazier and frowned. “Naomi, what are you burning?”
I looked up and sneered. “Just trash.”
He didn’t question it. Instead, he said gently, “If you want something done, ask the maids. You don’t need to do it yourself. I’d feel awful if you got hurt.”
I didn’t respond. As I stood up, I accidentally knocked the brazier over.
Sparks flew; and pain seared through my hand as blisters formed. instantly.
“Naomi!” Colin rushed over, picked me up, and carried me to the bathroom. Cold water ran over my hand. It matched my mood at that
moment.
Chapter 2
I stared at his worried face and wondered which version of him was real.
As the blisters worsened, he grew more nervous. Without hesitating, he scooped me up again and hurried downstairs.
“That’s a serious burn. We’re going to the hospital.”
I was about to refuse when a woman in a tight black dress walked in.
The familiar voice made me freeze.
“Mr. Fernandez, the international meeting has been moved to today. The client is in a different time zone and needs the final proposal now.
Even though she wore a mask and changed her hairstyle, I recognized her voice and figure.
It was Selena.
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
I never thought she’d have the nerve to show up in front of me.
“Who’s she?” I pointed at her, trying to stay calm.
Colin looked surprised, but Selena didn’t flinch. She even stood straighter.
She…” Colin was about to respond, but Selena cut in, “Mrs. Fernandez, I’m Mr. Fernandez’s new assistant. My name is Sophie Sullivan.”
“Why are you wearing a mask?” I asked.
“I’ve been having a skin allergy lately. I’m sensitive to light, so I have to keep it on.”
“Makes sense.” I sneered. Selena wasn’t even trying to hide herself.
Was she worried I wouldn’t recognize her?
Colin finally snapped out of it and turned to me. “Naomi, the meeting host is important. Wait for me-”
I cut in with a small smile. “Go on. I’ll be fine.”
For a second, I caught a flicker of resentment in Selena’s eyes, but she quickly masked it.
Colin didn’t want me picking up on anything strange, so he rushed her upstairs.
He didn’t even realize that the photo of us in the living room was gone.
This so–called marriage had always been my solo act. He had never played
his part.
After the study door closed, I calmly pulled out my phone.
The house had been broken into once when Colin wasn’t home. I never told him because I didn’t want him to worry. After that, I quietly installed security cameras.
“How could you show up at my place?”
“I missed you. You brought me back to America, but you just left me at a hotel.”
“You asked to return! Don’t be so stubborn next time. What if Naomi
finds out-”
“What are you afraid of? Do you like her or something?”
Selena pouted and turned away, and Colin rushed to soothe her.
“Of course not. You know I’ve never touched her. Even when I was with Naomi, you were the one on my mind. She’s always been paranoid–she tried to sue you back then. If I hadn’t married her, she wouldn’t have let go. and kept bothering you. I only did it to keep you safe.”
“I know, Colin. I was just teasing. I’m sure you could never love someone like her. After all, she was assaulted by so many men. How could you want someone that filthy?
“But now that I’m here, haven’t you missed me?”
Selena looked up at him with playful eyes, looping her arms around his neck.
He raised his eyebrows and let her continue.
The sight made me sick to my stomach. I couldn’t watch anymore. I stumbled back to the bedroom and threw up violently.
12:13
Chapter 3
So he never stayed in my room. He only wanted Selena.
at was l
I still remembered how I trembled in fear on our wedding night. Colin had held me gently and said my past didn’t matter.
But I still panicked and pushed him away. Later, he never touched me again. I thought he was just being thoughtful.
He used to sit by my bed and softly coax me to sleep whenever he was home.
I used to believe he cared about my health and didn’t want to hurt me.
Right then, someone knocked on the bathroom door. It was Colin.
“Naomi, are you alright?” he asked.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
“What’s the matter?” I replied.
He paused before explaining. “A client just set up a sudden dinner. I won’t be home tonight. Try to sleep early, and don’t overthink.”
I stayed silent. That was when he realized something wasn’t right.
“Naomi? Are you feeling sick?”
I didn’t respond. I was too busy leaning over the toilet, still throwing up blood.
“Naomi, open the door first. Let me check on you.”
It sounded like he was about to come in, but then Selena’s voice interrupted.
“Mr. Fernandez? The client is waiting…”
Chapter 3
Colin froze for a second, but he still asked about my condition gently.
“Naomi, you-”
Suddenly, there was a sharp cry from outside. “Ah! That hurts…”
It seemed like Selena had twisted her ankle.
“Selena…” Colin mumbled. After that, he didn’t wait any longer.
“Naomi, I have to go. The doctor should be here soon. Call me if you’re feeling
Worse
He walked away before I could say a word.
Soon, things had finally quieted down outside. I washed my face and stepped out of the bathroom.
The sky was darkening, and I had no idea how long I’d been asleep.
When I woke up, I saw over ten messages on my phone. They were all from Colin, filled with concern and care.
“Naomi, are you feeling any better? Want something special for dinner? I’ll have the maids bring it up.
“If anything’s wrong, just give me a call. I’ll always keep my phone on for
you.
“Oh, and don’t forget–tomorrow’s your mom’s birthday. Dress nicely. I’ll pick you up early.”
A bitter smile crept onto my face as I read them. I couldn’t figure Colin out. His care seemed meaningless.
I was only an orphan–someone who meant nothing to him.
My birth parents abandoned me, my adoptive ones never cared, and even
my marriage turned out to be a lie.
Even if I divorced him, he could easily make me leave with nothing. Besides, he already had Selena. There was no reason to keep pretending.
Just as I was about to put my phone away, a new friend request appeared. I tapped on it.
It was from Selena.
