Chapter 2

The room fell silent.

The moment Susan saw the photo, her expression turned cold. Ultimately, she adjusted her glasses and declared coolly, "You found out."

Shawn couldn't believe how calm she was. "Aren't you going to explain yourself?"

Susan pulled out a chair and took a seat. As she ladled herself a bowl of soup, she spoke casually as if they were discussing something trivial.

"As you can see, I'm getting married."

Shawn couldn't maintain his composure any longer. Knocking the bowl out of her hand, he demanded, "What does that make me then?"

What did that make the past eight years of his life?

Upon noticing the rage in his eyes, Susan sighed.

"I wasn't planning to tell you because I knew you wouldn't be able to accept it, Shawn. However, since the situation has already come to this, you have no choice but to make your peace with it.

"There's no need for you to worry. Even after I get married, nothing will change between us. I'll buy you another villa and hire the best driver, butlers, and housekeepers for you. As long as Henry doesn't find out about this, you can do whatever you want."

She spoke with the tender tone and expression she had always used with him, but Shawn was clenching his fists.

"You want me to be your secret lover?" he growled.

Susan frowned. Taking his hand, she gently tried to reassure him. "As long as I'm here, no one would ever dare to call you that."

Shawn's heart felt cold and empty. He reached into his pocket and asked bitterly, "Do you know what I prepared for you today?"

Susan frowned in confusion. She was just about to ask him what he meant when her phone started to ring.

The moment she picked up the call, she shot to her feet. "Where are you? I'll be there right away!"

She was in such a hurry that she bumped straight into Shawn as she rushed toward the door. Caught off guard, the latter lost his balance and crashed onto the floor. The broken pieces of the porcelain bowl pierced his legs, but Susan left without so much as a backward glance.

Blood seeped from his wounds, but the pain in his legs was nothing compared to the heartache he was experiencing.

Inside the pocket of his jacket was a custom-made engagement ring. Initially, he had wanted to give Susan a surprise. But now, he didn't think it was necessary anymore.

Shawn spent the entire night sitting by the window.

Henry had updated his social media page again. He had gotten into a car accident, and Susan had rushed over to help him deal with it. She ended up staying by his side the entire night.

By the time morning came, Shawn sent Susan a single text message that read, "Let's break up." Then, he began packing his things.

They had lived in their current home for five years, so every corner of the house reminded him of the life they had together.

He didn't take much with him, and he only packed some necessities. Just as he was about to leave, Thomas called him.

Thomas' voice was as calm and relaxed as always. "The weather's really nice today. Come and have some coffee with me. The new mall I told you about is finally open."

Hearing Thomas' voice again only left Shawn with a bitter ache in his chest.

His friendship with Thomas was genuine. Now that he was leaving, he figured that he should at least bid him a proper goodbye. With that thought in mind, he agreed to meet up with him.

However, once he arrived at the cafe, he saw two people standing behind Thomas.

It was Susan and Henry.

Shawn immediately turned to leave, but Thomas called out to him.

"This is Shawn, the young man I've told you two about. Despite our age difference, we've become very good friends," Thomas told Susan and Henry.

Then, he turned toward Shawn. "This is my daughter and my future son-in-law. Since we're all here, I thought I'd introduce them to you."

Susan flashed Shawn a look of warning. Left with no other choice, Shawn ignored the dull ache in his heart and forced a smile.

"They're shopping for a wedding dress today. You should have better taste than an old man like me. Why don't you come along and help them choose?"

As Thomas spoke, he led Shawn toward a bridal boutique. But Shawn felt a dull, throbbing ache in his chest.

Inside the boutique, Susan changed into a wedding gown while Henry put on a suit. Standing side by side, they looked like they walked straight out of a romantic fairy tale.

Henry turned to look at Shawn. "What do you think of this set, Mr. Carter?"

Suppressing the pain in his heart, Shawn nodded. "It looks great. You and Ms. Langley make a wonderful couple."

Susan's brows furrowed ever so slightly. She glanced at Shawn, but she couldn't detect anything unusual in his expression. Then, she remembered the message he had sent her that morning and suddenly grew irritated.

Turning toward Henry, she wrapped her arms around him and deliberately leaned against his chest to straighten his tie.

The pair stood incredibly close to each other. The air between them felt incredibly intimate, and the staff at the bridal store couldn't help but cover their faces in embarrassment.

Shawn's face grew paler and paler. Unable to watch for any longer, he turned away and headed for the restroom.

After splashing cold water over his face, Shawn suddenly felt someone grab his hand. Subsequently, he caught a whiff of Susan's rose-scented fragrance.

"Why have you been secretly meeting with my father?" Susan demanded.