Chapter 3

(Jude's POV)

When I got home from the hotel, I threw my dirty suit in the trash and started packing.

When Sabina said we had to avoid gossip at all costs, we even had to do it at home.

So for eight years, we slept in separate rooms. My bedroom had been converted from a hidden storage room.

None of my things was allowed outside that room, and she never let anything of mine match hers.

Even on our anniversary, when I bought us matching mugs as a gift, she only berated me for ruining everything she'd done to keep us apart. Then she threw them in the trash.

After that, we never celebrated another anniversary.

I smiled bitterly to myself and swept all my personal belongings from the packed cabinets into the trash, keeping only what I needed.

Eight years of living like a stranger in my own home fit into one small suitcase.

Just as I was about to leave, Sabina walked in with Caleb.

She stopped when she saw my packed suitcase, then gave me an approving look. "You're finally being reasonable."

I froze. "What do you mean?"

Caleb stepped out from behind her and casually explained, "Oh, our coworkers were just teasing us. They insisted on coming over to celebrate again. They'll leave after Sabs and I spend the night together.

"But don't worry, Jude. Sabs and I are just best friends. I'm only staying here for the night. We won't do anything out of line!"

Seeing how Sabina indulged him, my throat went dry.

So she thought I was being considerate and helping them keep up the act by staying somewhere else for the night.

I had gone so far as to give up my own wedding night just to help her avoid gossip. How pathetic.

I gave a quiet laugh and nodded nonchalantly. "Fine. I'll move out."

Sabina was stunned, seemingly surprised that I had agreed so easily.

Then she breathed a sigh of relief and gently touched my cheek. "Good. It'll only be for one night. Once we've gotten our coworkers off our backs, you can move back in.

"We can even have a private wedding of our own after—"

I took a few steps back and cut her off. "You misunderstood. I mean I'm moving out for good. Sabina, we're done."

Her brows pulled together, and she opened her mouth to speak.

The mocking laughter of our coworkers outside interrupted her.

"He's breaking up with her? Is he still trying to lie that he's Ms. York's boyfriend?"

"That's hilarious! Doesn't he know that Caleb is already legally married to Ms. York?"

I stared at Sabina in disbelief.

She looked panicked, but she didn't deny it.

It was obvious that what they said was true.

My knuckles turned white as I clenched my fists. A bitter laugh escaped me, tears filling my eyes.

"Legally married?" I asked. "So you actually married Caleb after pretending to be a couple? And this is what you called avoiding gossip?"

Everyone around us turned to look at Sabina.

Someone started to question what they had heard.

"He makes it sound like it's true. Could Caleb actually be the other man?"

Sabina clenched her jaw when she saw Caleb's face turn pale.

She immediately snapped, "What do you mean, 'pretending'? Caleb is my husband. We're legally married. If you keep spreading lies about me, I'll sue you for harassment and defamation!

"I can let the trespassing slide, but you're leaving. Now!"

The icy look in Sabina's eyes crushed the last bit of affection I had left for her.

I closed my eyes and threw the engagement ring I had kept hidden away at her.

"Fine. I'm leaving."