Chapter 2

THE NEXT DAY 

It was the day of their two years anniversary and Ethan was pouring out his speech without guilt. Lexi caught his eyes lingering longer at someone and she didn't need to guess who it was either. 

It's been two years and Ethan still had his eyes only for her, the perfect woman who understood his business.

Lexi looked around the perfectly decorated venue and smiled faintly. Her slender hands clutching the wine glass became tighter with each glance at the woman standing smugly in front of her.

Sophia Mendez.

Lexi scoffed at Sophia's outfit which was worth at least a few millions. The smug look on Sophia's face and the flicker of smile around her lips was exactly what made people fall in love with her. 

Lexi bit her lips, forcing out a smile as memories of last night rushed in. Those texts and the smile on Ethan's face too. 

She breathes out the words inaudibly,“ If I’ve learned anything in two years of our marriage, it’s how to smile while literally dying inside.”

But what kept her going was Ethan's promise to her. His promise of never betraying her and never making anyone else his wife. She believed he would love her soon. It was only a matter of time. Even when it hurts deeply to see him fawning over Sophia, she still trusts his loyalty. 

The sound of applause filled the ballroom as Lexi stood beside Ethan, smiling like her life depended on it, while cameras flash from every direction.

He raised his glass high, the perfect picture of success and charm. The exact image Ethan wanted for them. 

“To my beautiful wife,” he said, his voice smooth and confident. “Two years together. Two years of love and partnership. I wouldn’t be here without you, Lexi.”

The crowd roars, clapping again. Someone shouted, “To the Blackwoods!”

Lexi lifted her glass, the smile practically frozen on her lips. Her chest felt tight, but her face perfectly hid the biting emotions. 

Was this truly love?

As usual, only this time was different. It wasn't the usual emotion of his lack of love towards her or his coldness but the pains of watching the man you love having his eyes for another woman.

Ethan's words almost made her laugh out loud. How could he confidently use the words, love and partnership? It was funny, coming from a man who hasn’t looked at her with real love for the past three years. Or even seen her as a partner.

Lexi's head suddenly felt heavy, gripping her glass even tighter while refusing to let herself slip.

Two years ago, she thought life with him was everything she wanted. His farfetched love, the mansion, money and name she helped him rebuild again. But now, it all felt like nothing but a golden cage.

Will he ever love her?

Lexi was still smiling for the cameras like the perfect little couple. 

Ethan leaned close, pressing a kiss against her cheek, his hand on her back, possessively. The crowd loved him. They see devotion as always, his perfect image for building up his company.

While he goes on about charity work and partnerships, Lexi let her eyes wander through the crowd. There was no reason to listen to the same speech she had heard hundreds of times and could practically recite by herself now.

But then she felt something. A gaze burning into her back as if trying to see through her. Lexi slowly turned around and saw a familiar silhouette. 

Maxwell...

But she shook off the thought. Everyone knew he was Ethan’s biggest rival. A man known for destroying companies without blinking. It would be unwise for Ethan to invite him, wouldn't it? But then nothing was impossible with Ethan. He would want to show off his success to his biggest rival.

An entirely foolish move.

Lexi swallowed hard as she tried to peel her eyes away from the empty space before her. She must have been too paranoid to think of that devil. 

She should have looked away, but Ethan's hand touched her waist. “You okay, sweetheart?”

Lexi turned to him. “Of course.”

He nodded, already looking past Lexi and at someone else to greet.

Her smile stayed in place, her gaze drifting once more to the empty spot. There was something unsettling about it all, like someone was watching her. 

At that moment Sophia began making her way towards the couple.

She was dressed in a crimson red gown that clung to her body showing off her curves in the right places, her model golden hair was left falling over her shoulders and her piercing green eyes were secretly filled with contempt, razing over Lexi even from a distance.

People around Lexi smile, unaware. They think she was harmless. She’s anything but.

She walked straight to Ethan, and Lexi watched as his expression changed, the slight softening, the familiar tilt of his head. It was subtle, but she saw it.

Sophia’s fingers brushed his sleeve as she laughed at something he said. The cameras might not notice, but Lexi did. She always did but she had thought nothing of those gestures before, not anymore.

Lexi's throat felt tight and she couldn't help but take another sip of champagne to hide it. Her eyes caught Ethan leaning down, whispering something to his lover who put on the brightest smile. 

It seemed it wasn't enough for Sophia as she turned, her shoulder shoving Lexi while spilling a little of her wine on Lexi's dress.

“Oh, sorry, Mrs. Blackwood,” she said, fake sweet, stretching the word.

“It’s fine,” Lexi answered simply, smiling back at her.

She turned back to Ethan, her hand grazing his arm again." Maybe you could change? The guestroom is over there."

Lexi looked up and saw a smirk on Sophia's face. What the hell was she up to? Nonetheless, Lexi had no choice but to follow her suggestion. She also wanted fresh air, away from this damn cheating couple.

She could no longer stand to watch their poorly hidden display of affection, so she set her glass down and stepped away from the crowd, heading toward the corridor that led to the guestroom. 

She needed to change her dress.

The music faded behind her. The corridor was quieter and cooler. She needed air. Just one minute alone.

But halfway there, a voice stopped her.

“Mrs. Blackwood.”

Lexi turned around and saw one of the donors, a man in his fifties, face flushed from too much alcohol. She recognized him since he was one of the people who poured money into Ethan’s company before.

He swayed a little. “Leaving already? The night’s still young.”

“I just need a moment to myself,” Lexi said, keeping her tone polite.

“How about a dance first?” He asked, stepping closer.

“I don’t think so.”

He chuckled. “Don’t be shy.” His hand reached out toward Lexi's arm and she took a step back. 

“Please, don’t.”

“Come on, just one dance,” he insisted, his voice slurred as he held her wrist tightly. 

"I said no." 

Lexi glanced around but the corridor was empty. She tried to remove her hand, but he held even tighter. The anger that has been buried under years of loving an ungrateful bastard started to rise in her chest. 

She gritted, controlling her itching hand. “I don't want to dance."

His smile faltered, but he didn't move. He leaned forward slightly, the smell of whiskey filling the air between them.

Her long held anger was already bursting out of her fenced barricade of emotions. And without holding back, she raised her to slap the man's hands but someone beat her to it.

The drunk man froze while Lexi looked up as a familiar voice cut through, calm and cold. 

“Not nice meeting you, Mr. Blake!"