Chapter 2

Trevor rarely spoke to Eileen with such harshness.

Five years ago, when the Weaver family was on the brink of bankruptcy, it was Trevor who stepped in to save them.

His only condition was that Eileen marry him.

Though he hadn't touched her once in those five years, he indulged her every whim.

He showered her with status, prestige, and a fortune in jewels and gifts.

Yet whenever he looked at her, it felt as if he were staring right through her at someone else.

Now, Eileen finally understood.

Trevor was taking all the guilt he felt for Rebecca and using her as a proxy to make amends.

A sharp, searing pain twisted in Eileen's chest. Her entire life over these past five years suddenly felt like a complete joke.

"Apologize to Rebecca!" Trevor said coldly.

Eileen dug her nails deep into her palms. Her heart ached as she met the gaze of the man whose eyes were ablaze with anger. "Fine. I'm sorry, Rebecca. I shouldn't have pushed you."

For five years, she had believed that if she just played the dutiful, loving wife, Trevor would eventually fall in love with her for real.

Now she realized it had all been nothing more than her own wishful thinking.

She began quietly counting down the days until she could leave.

The term they'd agreed on for their marriage was due to end in exactly one month.

When that time came, Trevor wouldn't even need to ask. She would walk away on her own.

Rebecca hesitantly stepped out from Trevor's embrace and waved her hand. "I-It's okay."

Yet, out of everyone's sight, her lips curled into a subtle smile.

Perhaps sensing Eileen's bitter mood, Trevor let out a soft sigh. He crouched down and pulled a ring from his coat. "I'll deal with Rebecca later for killing your dog. I saw you circle this ring in a magazine a while back, so I got it for you."

He slid the ring onto her finger.

Eileen knew this was Trevor's usual way of keeping her in line, alternating cruelty with kindness.

Once upon a time, a gesture like this would have filled her with joy.

Now, it offered no comfort at all.

"Thanks." She forced a weak smile, though inside, her heart was bleeding.

It was late into the night by the time she finished burying Snowball. Opening the master bedroom door, Eileen caught Trevor grasping Rebecca's wrist.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

Rebecca pulled back like she'd been burned. "T-To bed."

Trevor pulled out a storybook from behind him. "You used to need a bedtime story from me every night. Let me read you one."

Rebecca put on a look of sheer panic. "No… It's fine."

Trevor's expression immediately darkened. "What, are you too grown-up to spend time with me now?"

He swept his arm around her waist and pulled her onto the bed with effortless authority. "I'm reading to you. You're not going to sleep until I finish."

A flash of smug triumph crossed Rebecca's eyes before she quickly masked it with an innocent posture.

The sight cut straight through Eileen.

In five years of marriage, she and Trevor had been like distant strangers, even in the same bed.

Back when she first married him, he was constantly working late at the office, leaving her all alone in the huge mansion.

Whenever she tried calling him just to hear his voice, he would hang up without hesitation. "You're an adult now. Learn to be independent. Don't always think about depending on others."

Just then, Trevor looked up and caught Eileen's bitter smile. "Looks like I picked a bad time," she said.

Trevor frowned but still patiently explained, "She always needed a bedtime story when she was little. She can't sleep without one."

"Sure, I get it." Eileen didn't argue. She simply gathered her blanket. "You two go ahead. I'll sleep in the guest room."

Lying on the guest room bed, the muffled sound of Rebecca's curious questions and Trevor's low voice drifted through the wall.

Eileen finally broke, muffling her sobs into the pillow.

Late into the night, as she drifted in and out of sleep, she felt the mattress sink beside her. A pair of warm hands gently wrapped around her waist.

"Rebecca's asleep. I know this bothers you, but tonight was the last night I'll stay up with her like that as her uncle."

Trevor paused before continuing, "I've set up a blind date for her. She's meeting him tomorrow."

His warm breath brushed against her ear.

Eileen felt a tangled mess of emotions inside. She gave a faint hum and turned away, keeping her back to him.