Chapter 2

"Do you still have this number, or am I just too stupid for only realizing it now?"

I whispered to my own reflection in the fogged-up bathroom mirror. Behind the glass stall, the sound of the shower masking the tremor in my shattered voice. I sat on the cold porcelain floor, hugging my knees while staring at Alex’s phone screen, which was still lit up. His name wasn’t there, just a string of numbers that had just shattered my world in a single brief call. My hand trembled violently as my thumb hesitated over the redial button. I needed to know. I had to make sure my ears weren’t betraying me tonight.

I pressed the button. My heart pounded loudly, as if trying to beat the connection on the other end.

“Hello? Alex? Are you on your way?” the woman’s voice sounded again. So sweet, so familiar.

I took a deep breath, trying to swallow the bitterness clogging my throat. “It’s me. Emma.”

There was a moment of silence. I could hear a soft sigh from the other end. No fear, no hint of guilt. Just a silence brimming with triumph.

“Oh, Emma. Poor wife,” her voice changed, now sharp and cold. “I didn’t think you’d have the nerve to touch your husband’s phone.”

“Who are you?” I asked, my voice hoarse from holding back tears. “Why are you doing this to me? Tell me where we can meet. I want to see the face of a woman so lacking in self-respect that she meddles in other people’s marriages.”

The woman gave a small laugh, a sound that sent chills down my spine. “Meet? For what? So you can curse at me or splash me with water? No need to go to the trouble of finding a place, Emma. Tomorrow morning I’ll come to your house. I want to see firsthand the home you’ve been living in all this time. Besides, I miss the atmosphere there.”

“Don’t you dare set foot here!”

“We’ll see tomorrow, Emma. Good night, if you can.”

Click. The call ended. I flung the phone onto a pile of towels, burying my face between my knees. I wasn’t crying anymore. This pain was too deep tears felt insufficient to express it.

The next morning, Australia was shrouded in a bone-chilling mist. I sat in the living room with a cup of tea that had gone cold an hour ago. My eyes were fixed on the front door, waiting for the storm that was about to hit. Alex came out of the bedroom, neatly dressed, looking fresh as if he hadn’t left any burdens on the bed the night before.

“Aren’t you having breakfast?” he asked without looking at me, busy adjusting his watch.

“We have a guest coming,” I replied flatly.

Alex stopped what he was doing. He looked at me, his brow furrowed. “A guest? Who?”

The doorbell rang the moment he finished speaking. I stood up with the last of my strength and walked toward the door. When I opened it, my world seemed to crumble completely and get buried under cold snow.

“Hi, Emma. Sorry I came so early.”

The woman stood there. Her hair was neatly styled, her thin lips painted a fiery red, and she wore a tight dress that showcased her pale skin. I recognized her. I knew her very well.

“Laura?” I whispered softly. My voice was almost inaudible.

Laura smiled a sly smile that had long been hidden behind her sweet words as a friend. She stepped inside without waiting for my permission, then looked at Alex, who stood frozen in the middle of the room.

“Surprise, honey,” Laura said. She walked toward my husband, then without hesitation wrapped her arm around Alex’s in front of my very eyes.

"I’m back to take what should have been mine from the start."

I looked at Alex, hoping to see anger or rejection on his face. However, what I found was a sparkle that had been missing from him all this time. Alex didn’t pull away from the embrace. Instead, he looked at Laura with an adoring gaze.

"You really came," Alex said softly, his voice sounding so alive.

"Of course. I couldn’t stand letting you be stuck in this boredom for too long," Laura replied, giving me a sarcastic look. "Your wife is so boring, Alex. Look at her face, she’s as pale as a corpse."

"Alex, what’s the meaning of all this?" I asked, stepping forward with my fists clenched. "Laura is my best friend. She works at your office because I asked you to give her the position. How could you two..."

"Best friend?" Laura laughed loudly.

"Emma, are you too naive or just plain stupid? Alex and I were each other’s first loves. You were just a rebound when we were apart back then. And now, your playtime is over."

Right in front of me, in the living room filled with memories of our five-year marriage, Alex lifted Laura’s chin and kissed her deeply on the lips. They were making out as if I wasn’t even there. As if I were just a lifeless wall decoration.

A wave of nausea hit my stomach. I felt like throwing up at the sight of that disgusting scene. Without a word, I turned and went into the bedroom. I wouldn’t beg. I wouldn’t cry in front of them.

I opened the closet, flinging the nightgown I was wearing onto the floor. I grabbed the shortest, sexiest black dress I’d ever bought but had never dared to wear. I painted my lips a bold red, combing my blonde hair until it fell beautifully. I slipped on high heels that made my footsteps sound firm.

When I walked out, they were still there, sitting on the sofa whispering sweetly to each other. The sound of my footsteps made Alex turn his head. His eyes narrowed as he took in my appearance.

“Where are you going dressed like that, Emma?” Alex asked, his voice carrying a strange, suspicious tone.

I didn’t answer. I didn’t even look at him. I grabbed my handbag and walked straight toward the front door, head held high.

“Emma! I’m asking you!” Alex called out again, this time in a louder tone.

I stopped right at the threshold, turning slightly just to give him the coldest stare I’ve ever had. “Enjoy your morning with your new lover, Alex. Don’t wait for me to come home.”

I stepped outside, slamming the door shut. I sped my car toward one of the most exclusive nightclubs in downtown. I needed the noise to drown out the sound of my mind shattering.

The nightclub was bustling. The scent of alcohol and expensive perfume mingled together. I sat at the bar, ignoring the hungry stares from a few men there.

“The strongest red wine. One bottle, please,” I told the bartender.

I poured the drink, downing it in one gulp. The heat burned my throat, but it was nothing compared to the fire burning in my heart. I poured a second glass, then a third. I wanted to get drunk. I wanted to forget that my husband had just kissed another woman in my own home.

“A woman as beautiful as you shouldn’t be finishing a whole bottle alone with such a sad face.”

A deep, calm voice sounded beside me. I turned my head slowly. A mature man wearing a dark gray suit was sitting in the chair next to me. His face was handsome, with a strong jawline and deep, gentle eyes. A very strong aura of power radiated from him, yet there was also a hidden sadness behind his eyes.

“I don’t need a friend,” I replied curtly, looking back down at my glass.

The man smiled faintly. “I’m Rex. And I’m not offering friendship. I’m just offering a listening ear if you want to vent your frustration at the world.”

I looked at him again. Rex. His name sounded powerful. I noticed his large, clean hands. Suddenly, a crazy idea popped into my head. If Alex could betray me so easily, why should I remain loyal when he’d already trampled on that loyalty?

I slid my chair closer to him. I placed my fingers on his chest, feeling his calm heartbeat beneath the fabric of his expensive suit. I could smell the scent of sandalwood and luxury emanating from his body.

“You said I’m beautiful?” I whispered, bringing my face close enough for our breaths to touch.

Rex didn’t pull away. His gaze only sharpened, tracing my face with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. “Very beautiful. Like a gem left out in the rain.”

I gave a crooked smile, a smile full of pain and defiance. I pressed my body closer, whispering something right into his ear until my hair brushed against his jaw.

“Tonight, I can be yours completely. Come on, take me away from here if you’re really brave.”

Rex fell silent. I could feel the muscles in his chest harden beneath my palm. He stared at me for a long time, as if weighing whether I was prey or a beautiful trap. The silence between us felt suffocating amidst the deafening thump of the club music.