CHAPTER 6: Confession

Anger gnaws at me with each passing day, the weight of Kyros’ infidelity pressing down on me like a secret I can never release. My heart still aches, but I refuse to let my emotions consume me.

I have always stood firmly in my principles—I would never tolerate betrayal, regardless of how deeply I love Kyros. This contradiction between my love and principles weighs my soul most heavily.

When Kyros pulled beside the curb, he reached for my hand, snapping me back to reality. I sensed his hesitation as if he didn’t want to leave me.

“I can feel your disappointment, babe,” he murmured.

‘Oh, yes, I am!’ I wanted to scream directly into his face, demanding the truth I already knew.

Looking into his storm-gray eyes, I held back my tears, afraid they would reveal what I knew. I wanted to ask him why he betrayed me and still lied to me.

But I said nothing…

Instead, he lifted my hand to his lips.

“I’m really sorry…” His voice was soft, almost pleading.

“It’s fine. There will be plenty of chances for us to go on vacation…”

“I love you so much, Gazelle.”

I forced a small smile before stepping out of the car. He retrieved my luggage and drove away, leaving me with a storm inside my heart.

Countless scenarios ran through my mind—including the idea of vanishing before our wedding and exposing Kyros’ betrayal in front of everyone. Isn’t that how revenge plays out in popular Chinese dramas?

Instead, I found myself heading to Royal’s office. Right now, I needed a friend. And yet, I hated the thought of relying on someone else.

“Stella has already decided against returning to the sorority-owned apartment. I asked if she was certain about leaving a place she’s already comfortable with, especially since we both know her family is struggling financially. But she informed me she’s moving to Ravenwood Estate.”

My jaw clenched. “Ravenwood Estate? That’s where Kyros’ family lives. Every member is expected to stay there after marriage. It’s a rule their elders strictly enforce.”

“Hmm… It seems Stella doesn’t know about that, or perhaps she simply misspoke.”

“But you’re missing the point, Roy. I can’t comprehend whether Kyros has fallen under some spell or just completely out of his mind. That estate was specifically designated for him and his future wife after their marriage. His current actions defy all understanding.”

My resentment grew stronger with each moment, my questions piling up, and my hatred—something I never thought I’d feel for him—spreading like vines tightening around my heart.

Royal grabbed a tissue from the table and gently wiped my tear-streaked face.

I couldn’t restrain the flood of emotions any longer. I hated myself for it.

“Pull yourself together, love! Be grateful you found out before you married Kyros. And if you ever need to make a run for it on your wedding day, I’ll be right there with you.”

I was so grateful for her. I clung to her in a tight hug.

Once I calmed down, I sent Kyros a message explaining that I needed to join a community health mission.

His reply came faster than I expected:

Kyros: “A month? Babe, isn’t that too long?”

Me: “Yes, this opportunity will greatly improve my position at the hospital. I’ve joined community health missions before, and it’s just a month, Kyros.”

In previous years, I had been deployed for six months without such protest from him.

Kyros: “You know I’ll always support your dreams. Just let me know if you need anything before your trip.”

***

One month in Northwindbrook passed faster than I had expected.

I could only hope Royal had gathered enough evidence. I met her first—she had arrived in the north to accept an appreciation award from the city governor before my flight.

“I’m pretty sure Kyros knows he can’t just take Stella anywhere in Bryston City,” she explained, “However, I found her social media account.”

Royal displayed an online page on her smartphone screen. The application was notorious for facilitating anonymous inquiries, circulating gossip, and providing a platform for revealing concealed secrets.

She exhaled sharply before continuing, “I found out this page is actually a dummy account made and run by Stella herself.”

I searched for the user on my phone. What struck me first was the profile picture—a bracelet identical to the one Kyros had given me on Valentine’s. The photograph showed them holding hands, and on his wrist, the watch Stella had given him stood out, its face gleaming in the light.

The profile was created seven months ago, and its first caption hit me like a knife to the chest:

“What am I going to do? I slept with my friend’s fiancé.”

My fists clenched involuntarily. Most of the comments condemned her, calling her out for what she had done. But in the replies, she defended herself:

“Hear me out. We were both sent on a business trip to Europe by the company. He was my junior executive. I found myself secretly falling in love with him.”

So, this is where it all began.

Two weeks after that post, another update: “I went to his private office and invited him to lunch. He said yes.”

She even shared a photo of Kyros’s wide desk, a neatly arranged meal placed on top.

And then, week after week, post after post, Stella chronicled the progress of their relationship, shamelessly documenting every stolen moment. Some commenters cheered her on, seemingly indifferent that the man she was pursuing already had a fiancée.

In her most recent entry: “He told me I’m one of the people making him happy right now. I don’t want this to end. Please, tell me I’m the only one in your heart.”

Over the past month, while I was away in the north, photos from a beach confirmed that Stella and Kyros had gone on vacation together. The possibility existed that Kyros never mentioned it because I was engaged in my medical mission, believing I would be too preoccupied to notice his absence.

Royal’s voice broke through my thoughts.

“Most of the photographs either capture Kyros with his back to the camera or his face angled downward, which is why my investigative team was able to trace this account and definitively connect it to Stella.”

Royal’s family’s mafia connections made it easy to dig up this information.

“Kyros’s office is also clearly visible in several shots,” I replied.

Just a month after uncovering his betrayal, I felt unexpectedly calm—so calm that it was almost more unsettling than rage.

Royal exhaled softly, almost as if she was feeling the weight of it for me.

“What’s your plan, Gazelle?” Her eyes reflected more sorrow than I currently felt capable of experiencing myself.