Chapter 2

Finally, Lacey had no choice but to instruct Adrian to go.

"Adrian, go buy me a box of birth control pills. We might need them tonight."

...

Adrian's clenched fists cracked at the knuckles. Not a single person in this group had a shred of decency.

He had seriously underestimated Lacey. They had known each other for three years, and she had always struck him as the picture of innocence — a sweet, well-behaved girl.

She used to say that cheating was the one thing she despised most in this world. But her mouth said one thing while her heart believed another.

Turns out she was the very kind of person she claimed to hate.

He lifted his head, eyes blazing with rage, and locked stares with the still-laughing Lacey. The moment she caught the sudden chill in his demeanor, panic flickered across her face.

"Adrian, wh-what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

She reached out to touch his forehead. Her body still carried another man's saliva. Disgusted, he flinched away.

"Lacey, I think we may need to postpone the wedding."

Now truly alarmed, she grabbed his arm.

"Adrian, what's gotten into you?"

He pried her hand off and forced a bitter smile. "Relax. I'm fine. I just worry that tying the knot too soon might hold you back. We're still young. Why don't you enjoy yourself a while longer before we bring up marriage again?"

Lacey broke into a pleased smile, wrapped her arms around him, and buried her face in his chest. "I knew you were the sweetest. Thank you for always putting me first."

She had no idea he had already started letting her go. In her triumphant haze, she shot a smug look at Kevin and her friends.

"Tsk. What a rare, devoted fool."

"Bet his ancestors are spinning in their graves."

They all mocked him — called him worthless, a clueless idiot.

He didn't care. Let them laugh. Because anyone who made a joke out of him would soon become the joke themselves.

He turned and went out to buy the pill for Lacey. The moment he stepped outside, they were already tangled up together, kissing.

"Damn, you're playing hardcore. Getting serviced by two guys at once."

"Please, like you're any different."

"Alright, I'm out. My dream guy's already cleaned up and waiting for me at the hotel."

Hearing that, he quickened his pace to leave.

Rain poured outside, soaking his clothes and adding to his disheveled look.

By the time he returned with the pill, laughter was booming from the private room again. They all looked at him—faces bold, hearts steady—and launched into Portuguese.

"How about we go mushroom picking tomorrow?"

"Ugh, no. Too tired."

"A little field action won't tire you out. Haha, I'm just looking out for us."

Kevin nudged Lacey with his foot, and she perked up instantly.

Everyone laughed as they stared at him, still treating him like the perfect fool.

The next day, Lacey took him out, claiming they were going mushroom hunting in the mountains outside the city.

At the foot of the mountain, her friends started joking around.

"You've really outdone yourselves. Bringing Adrian along for a field romp? Aren't you afraid he'll catch you?"

"You don't tell, and they don't tell. Who's going to point it out to him?"

"That's exactly why we love it—the thrill and the panic all at once. Haha!"

No sooner had the words left their mouths than Lacey led Adrian up the mountain to look for mushrooms.

Soon enough, she claimed she had to relieve herself and told him to stand guard so no one would come near.

His heart ached—a numb, wrenching pain. He couldn't believe the woman he loved could be so shameless.

She carried a backpack. Inside were all kinds of kinky things.

The night before, while pretending to be asleep, he had heard her sneak out of bed to pack, all while whispering to Kevin on the phone about what positions to use tomorrow.

He hadn't slept a wink. Instead, he had texted his boss.

He had made up his mind: go overseas to take over the branch office, settle there, and never see Lacey again.