Chapter 3

"Why?"

I gripped the sheets.

Deep down, I already knew the answer.

And sure enough—

"Because the County Clerk's Office was fake. The marriage certificate was fake. The parents were fake. The relatives at the wedding were fake too.

"I arranged all of it. So tell me, how exactly are you going to sue me?"

She sounded like we were discussing lunch plans.

My heart sank even lower.

How could this be the same girl who'd begged every neighbor in our building for half a tablet of ibuprofen when I got sick during the outbreak?

The same girl who spent three years caring for my hospitalized mother?

The same girl who always gave me the sweetest slice of watermelon?

Who stayed by my side through depression?

Who folded the pages of my books ahead of time so I wouldn't have to see pictures of snakes and bugs?

And now she was telling me—

None of it had been real.

"Fine. Then I'll leave. I'll stay as far away from you as possible for the rest of my life. That works, right?"

Leah stared at me for a long moment.

Then she suddenly grabbed my collar.

Before I could react, she crashed her lips against mine.

The kiss was fierce.

Desperate.

Like she wanted to force me to stay.

I shoved at her, but she wouldn't let go.

Not until a knock sounded at the door.

"Mr. Fulton is awake."

Leah finally pulled back.

"Mm."

I raised my hand.

For a second, I wanted to slap her.

But under her steady gaze, I forced myself to stop.

A faint smile touched her lips.

Her eyes were red.

She kissed my palm. "What happened between us stays between us.

"Don't tell Shawn. You can't handle the consequences."

Then she added,

"He wants you there tomorrow for our anniversary photos. Be good and go. If you don't, he'll be upset."

Every word sounded like an order.

She straightened her clothes and walked out.

Bodyguards stood outside the door.

A moment later, my phone buzzed.

[Bank Transfer Received: $200,000]

Once upon a time, that amount would've been unimaginable to me.

Now it was nothing more than pocket change she used to keep Shawn happy.

***

The next morning, I was taken to a photo studio.

The second I walked in, I saw Leah sitting on Shawn's lap, rubbing his stomach while the staff looked away, embarrassed.

I froze.

A long time ago, she'd spent days watching videos and learning massage techniques for me.

Every night, she'd rub my temples and shoulders whenever my headaches got bad.

Back then, I thought that tenderness belonged to me.

I thought we'd grow old together.

I never imagined I'd end up standing here like the other man, watching her love someone else right in front of me.

The pressure in my chest made it hard to breathe.

I lowered my head.

My eyes burned.

"Mr. Wren!" Shawn waved me over. "You're finally here. Help me out. Which set should we shoot?"

I pointed at a random photo in the album.

Shawn frowned.

"Huh? You like this one? I prefer another set."

The moment he said that, Leah took the album.

Rip.

She tore the photo out without hesitation.

Then she leaned over and kissed his neck. "It's okay. What he thinks doesn't matter. What matters is what you like.

"Now let him choose again."

Shawn grinned and pushed the album back toward me.

Waiting.

Expecting.

I looked down at the photos.

Slowly, I raised my hand.

'What he thinks doesn't matter.'

The words echoed in my head.

My feelings didn't matter.

That's why Leah could lie to me for seven years.

Why she could order me to accept it.

Why she never cared whether it hurt.

In her eyes, she'd always been above me.

And I'd never really had a choice.

Shawn went to change clothes.

I sat on the couch and watched the shoot.

Leah kissed his forehead while he smiled at the camera.

She lifted his hand and proudly showed off their wedding rings.

She wore cute outfits she'd never worn around me and played along with all his ridiculous poses.

The studio was full of laughter.

Flash after flash.

And suddenly, I remembered my own wedding photos with Leah.

There weren't many.

Just a few pictures taken on a phone.

I wore a cheap coat.

She wore an inexpensive veil.

We stood outside in the cold, shivering while our breath fogged the air.

And she looked happier than I'd ever seen her.

Snow landed in our hair.

For one perfect, stupid moment, I thought we'd grow old together.

Back then, that was enough.

That was happiness.

But now, the dream I'd held onto for seven years had finally shattered.