Chapter 1

After I climbed into Nathan Linwood's car, he explained slowly, "Those people are just spouting nonsense. I'm on official business. I invited Veron to perform for the troops, so of course, I have to take care of her now that she's injured."

I hummed in response and fell silent.

He abruptly snapped, "Do you not believe me? Are you still mad at me? Viv… I'm focusing on our family now. What more do you want from me?"

I looked out the window and, without sparing him a glance, responded, "I believe you. I thought I was fine, so I didn't bother you. Let's head back."

My reply was as perfunctory as an automated response, prompting Nathan to slam his fist onto the steering wheel. The shrill blare of the horn shattered the silence, startling the performers who had just finished their show across the street.

One of the women lifted her head and looked over. In the freezing night, she wore only a thin performance costume, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, the tip of her nose flushed red from the cold. The moment the moonlight illuminated her face, the air inside the car instantly froze.

It was Veronica Schuman.

Nathan instinctively looked at me. After all, every time I had seen her in the past, I would lose control of my emotions. This time, however, I merely cast an indifferent glance her way, withdrew my gaze, and remained completely unbothered.

Nathan tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his gaze drifting over to her, his worry practically overflowing from his eyes.

I caught on right away. I pushed the door open to get out of the car, offering him an excuse. "If you need to patrol the military camp, I can walk back on my own."

Before he could respond, I had already turned and walked toward the intersection.

Nathan chased after me and grasped my wrist. "Things ended between me and her a long time ago. I didn't know she was here either. Why don't you believe me?"

I nodded. "I believe you. It must be difficult for a young lady to be out here on her own. Even if it's over between you two, it's only normal for you to be concerned about her. I understand."

Nathan studied my face, and it didn't look like I was acting out of spite. He thought everything was completely off. I used to be an open book, and my possessiveness knew no bounds. Back then, if I spotted a single long hair on his uniform, I'd interrogate him until late into the night.

Now, I was the picture-perfect, understanding partner he'd always asked for. Yet, his chest felt tight and heavy, weighed down by a suffocating dullness that wouldn't let him breathe.

I broke free from his grasp, spun on my heel, and left. When I reached the corner, I stopped in my tracks and looked back.

Nathan had already taken off his coat and draped it over Veronica's shoulders beside his car. Then, he cupped her face in his hands and lowered his head before kissing her deeply.

I wasn't the least bit surprised, and I would never again interrogate him like a madwoman the way I had when I first found out he had cheated on me.

"Nathan Linwood, have you no shame? I gave myself to you when I was only 18 years old. We went from having absolutely nothing to where we are now, and you're telling me you've fallen for someone else?"

Blood trickled down his face from where I'd slapped him, but he merely sneered. "Do you think you have any shame? If you're so damn pure, how did you end up in my bed at 18? Even your parents abandoned you!

"I was the one who got you out of the orphanage and put a roof over your head for over a decade. If anything, you should be down on your knees thanking me!"

Those words were like a poisoned bayonet, stabbing the dozen or so years we had spent together completely to pieces.