Chapter 2

I let out a mocking laugh.

So that was the urgent matter Rowena absolutely had to handle?

I grabbed a chair and smashed it against the wall, shattering our wedding photo. Then, I called in the cleaners and had them throw out everything in the room that had anything to do with Rowena.

The next morning, I got up, washed up, and went to work.

I could allow myself to be heartbroken, but I would never allow myself to fall apart.

Maybe I had really been cursed with bad luck lately. On the way to work, a car made an illegal cut into my lane and hit me, injuring my leg.

I was taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

By sheer coincidence, I ran into Rowena just as she was coming downstairs with Adrian on her arm.

The moment our eyes met, Rowena withdrew her hand from him and hurried over anxiously. "Justin, what happened to you?"

I kept my expression flat. "It's nothing serious. I hurt my leg in a minor accident."

She immediately revolved around me, rushing off to stand in line for my scans and medication.

I caught the flash of jealousy in Adrian's eyes. He looked at me and said provocatively, "Justin, your wedding never happened, so I win.

"But I did underestimate you. You're a lot more tolerant than I thought. Still, if you think that means you can stay by Rowena's side, then you're sorely mistaken."

I had met Rowena at university.

On a rainy day at the library, we shared the same umbrella, and that was how it all began.

Her gentleness and the way she favored me gradually made me fall head over heels in love with her.

We had been together for five years. On campus, we were the textbook definition of a perfect couple.

Just when I thought we would keep loving each other and eventually marry, Adrian, the childhood friend she had grown up with, came back from abroad.

He showed up carrying a newborn child and forced his way into our relationship.

"Believe it or not, as long as I'm here, Rowena will never marry you," Adrian had said.

At first, I had scoffed at him. After all, Rowena and I had five years of history between us.

Adrian, on the other hand, was a bachelor with a motherless child. I didn't believe Rowena would ever give me up for him.

It wasn't until our wedding day that reality slapped me awake.

But even if I had lost, I still didn't want him to get the satisfaction of gloating.

I looked at him coldly and said, "Regardless, I'm still Rowena's fiance. In what capacity are you even speaking to me right now? Is being a homewrecker some kind of prestigious career path these days?"

Adrian lifted his chin and said, "No, the one she's not in love with is the real homewrecker."

Just then, the ground suddenly started to shake.

"Earthquake!" someone shouted.

Rowena, who had been standing in line to get my medication, immediately ran toward us, grabbed Adrian by the arm, and bolted for the exit.

"Rowena, the baby!" Adrian reminded her in a panic.

She immediately spun around, ran back upstairs to get Theo, then took both Adrian and Theo with her as she fled.

My eyes stayed fixed on her the entire time, but she never once turned back to look at me.

At that moment, I had no choice but to admit that the history Rowena and I shared meant absolutely nothing compared to Adrian.

I hadn't lost to Adrian. I had only lost to her.

It wasn't until the shaking stopped that Rowena seemed to remember I existed at all. She pushed through the crowd and stopped in front of me.

Stammering, she said, "J-Justin, I was too worried about the baby earlier, so… I forgot about you."

I curved my lips into a bitter smile. "It's fine. The baby's more important."

The instant she heard my forgiveness, relief washed over her. "Justin, I'm so glad you understand. Let's get you home."

But Adrian stood behind her, holding the wailing baby, looking helpless as he said, "Rowena, I think Theo got spooked…"

Panic immediately flooded her eyes, and she turned around at once. "I'll take the baby and Adrian upstairs first. Wait for me here."

I silently nodded.

But the second they went upstairs, I turned and left.

I wasn't waiting for her anymore.