Chapter 2

"I took it off," Noelle said.

"But I made that ring myself. It's supposed to represent our love. Why would you take it off?" Shawn asked.

She said indifferently, "I've gained weight, so it doesn't fit anymore."

Only then did Shawn's expression soften. He smiled and said, "Then, I'll take it to the jeweler tomorrow to have it resized."

"We'll see."

"Oh, right. What's that on the table?" he asked, pointing at the jewelry box, looking surprised. "Is it a present for me?"

Noelle nodded. "Yeah."

Inside the box was a small piece of silver—it was the wedding ring she'd had melted.

Shawn's face lit up. "What's the occasion? Why did you suddenly get me a gift?"

His words made Noelle's heart freeze over. "It's… our wedding anniversary."

Shawn's expression immediately fell. Then, he said almost sycophantically, "I'm sorry, Elle. I've been so busy with work that it slipped my mind. How about we go out for dinner? I'll make a reservation now…"

"No, it's fine. I've already eaten."

"Then, should I take you out for a spin so we can enjoy the night scenery? Let's take a walk by the river."

"I'm tired. I want to go to bed."

Shawn wrapped his arms around her from behind, his tone almost pleading. "Come on, Elle. It's been ages since we've taken a walk together. I feel like you've been quite cold to me recently. If this keeps up, I'm going to start thinking that your feelings for me have changed."

Was she the one whose feelings had changed? He was the one who'd fallen for someone else first. His heart was the one that had left her.

Well, it didn't matter. She would take back her heart, mind, and soul for good.

Noelle and Shawn left the house. As he drove, he kept telling her about recent events. She sat in the front passenger seat, staring out the window without listening to him.

Her mind was elsewhere—on the pair of pantyhose she'd found wedged between the seat and console when buckling her seatbelt earlier. Someone had clearly worn them before.

She'd stuffed them back where she'd found them and acted like nothing had happened. Since she'd already decided to leave, she didn't want to waste her time and breath arguing with Shawn.

Useless lies were the only things she would get out of him, anyway. If she couldn't get the truth, she wouldn't bother asking for it.

When they arrived at the riverside, Shawn got out of the car and opened the door for her. "We're here, Elle."

Noelle didn't want to be there, but this river was a spot they'd frequented at the beginning of their relationship. This was where things had started and where she wanted them to end.

"Hey, isn't that Mr. Pitt? The one we saw on TV today. He's the one who made his wedding ring!"

"I remember him! He's the best man in the world!"

"Look at how he has one hand on the door frame so his wife doesn't bump her head on it. He's so considerate!"

Just then, Shawn's phone rang. He said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Elle. Give me a minute, okay? It's about work. I'll be back after answering this."

"Go ahead."

"Wait for me here, okay? Don't go anywhere."

The onlookers gasped at that.

"Mr. Pitt treats his wife like she's still a young woman. Is he afraid of her going missing?"

"God, he's such a doting husband!"

Noelle's face remained stoic throughout the whole thing. She stood by the river and watched as the lights reflected off its surface.

Shawn hadn't managed to keep the smile off his face when he saw the caller ID. It had been tender, sweet, and even a little teasing. How could the call have been about work?

She couldn't be bothered to call him out on it, though.

It was a little chilly by the river, so she got back inside the car to wait for Shawn. The multimedia panel was logged into Shawn's social media, and it was synced to his phone. It showed his WhatsApp, and one conversation was ongoing.

He was talking to someone whose nickname was "Insatiable Jess".

Shawn: "Do you miss me already?"

Insatiable Jess: "I feel a little empty without you by my side tonight."

Shawn: "Didn't I already do you seven times today? Isn't that enough to sate you?"

Insatiable Jess: "Not even close. I still want you."

Shawn: "Got it. I'll satisfy you in the office tomorrow."

Insatiable Jess: "Heh. I'll wear black pantyhose tomorrow, then."

The rest of the conversation was filled with dirty talk and lewd words. Noelle felt her blood run cold as she read their messages and turned off the screen. She trembled but didn't know whether it was due to the cold or her anger. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms.

Shawn returned about 15 minutes later. When he got into the car, he heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank God you're okay. I didn't see you after hanging up and got the fright of my life."

Noelle didn't want to see anymore of his act. She looked down at her hands. "I was cold, so I got back into the car."

"Oh, okay. You can do whatever you want, wherever you want."

Her head suddenly shot up. After reading Shawn and Jessica's texts, she suddenly had a different understanding of those words.

She could do whatever she wanted, wherever she wanted…

Could it be they'd done the deed in the front passenger seat?

The idea disgusted her and a wave of nausea crashed over her. She pushed the door open and puked.