Chapter 2

Lucy hung up the phone and lingered in the rose garden for a while before heading back.

The moment she stepped inside, she saw Steven hurrying down the stairs, seemingly in a rush to leave. In his hand, he held her coat.

As soon as he spotted her, he strode over and draped the coat over her shoulders. "Why were you outside for so long? It may be summer, but the nights still carry a chill."

Lucy smiled faintly. "I'm fine. I'm not cold."

"Girls should always keep warm."

Her steps faltered slightly.

She remembered the first time she met Steven.

It was her freshman year of college. She had taken a part-time job and spent the entire day standing in the freezing wind. When Steven passed by, he casually took off his coat and handed it to her.

She had tried to refuse, but he simply said, "Girls should always keep warm."

Later, she washed the coat and returned it to him. One thing led to another, and soon, they got to know each other. Then, they fell in love.

Steven later admitted that he had liked her for a long time. He had always been watching her from a distance. That day, when he saw her shivering in the cold, he couldn't bear it any longer and finally spoke to her.

Naturally, they ended up together. Steven was devoted to her—so much so that people joked he was completely under his wife's spell.

Eventually, they got married. Even Steven's closest friends said, "In his heart, you come first. He comes second."

Lucy had brushed it off as friendly teasing.

But then, during a trip, an earthquake struck. Steven shielded her with his body for three whole days and nights. When the rescue team finally pulled them out, she learned that he had held up an entire slab of concrete—hundreds of pounds—on his back to protect her.

She was unharmed. He, on the other hand, was exhausted, his back torn and bloodied. Just before he lost consciousness, he reached out, brushed his fingers gently against her face, and whispered, "Don't cry. Please, don't cry."

From that moment on, she had sworn to stay by his side for the rest of her life.

She just never expected that he would be the one to forget that promise first.

Back in the present, Steven led her into their room, sat her down on the couch, and knelt before her, holding her hands.

"Lucy, your eyes are red. Have you been crying?"

Lucy shook her head. "No."

"You can't fool me. You've definitely been crying. Tell me what happened."

She lowered her gaze and met his anxious, concerned eyes. A sharp pain stabbed through her chest.

"Steven, do you love me?"

"Of course," he said without hesitation. He reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason. I just watched a movie about the seven-year itch. We've been married for six years now. Next year will be our seventh."

Steven chuckled. "So that's what's been on your mind."

He took her hand and pressed it against his chest. "Lucy, I will love you for a lifetime. Forever. Even in the next life. My heart will never change."

She looked at him and asked, "And if it does?"

"It won't."

"But if it did?"

He hesitated for a moment before answering solemnly, "Then let me be struck by lightning and die a horrible death."

Pain sliced through Lucy's heart.

Even now, he was lying to her.

Even now, he would rather swear such a heavy oath than tell her the truth.

"Lucy, cheer up. Let me take you out tomorrow, okay?"

She didn't want to go, but in the end, she couldn't refuse him.

The next morning, Steven drove her out.

The car stopped in front of a shopping mall.

He took her hand and led her into a jewelry store. A store attendant immediately came forward, her voice warm and welcoming. "Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Cooper, what kind of jewelry are you looking for today?"

Steven said, "I'd like to custom-make a pair of rings as a wedding anniversary gift for my wife."

"Of course. Please, come this way."

They were ushered into the VIP room, and soon, the attendant returned with several catalogs.

"These are our designers' latest creations. Mrs. Cooper, please take a look and see if there's anything you like."

Another employee whispered, "If it's a pair of rings, you should ask Mr. Cooper which one he likes too."

The first attendant giggled. "Oh, come on. Mr. Cooper will go with whatever Mrs. Cooper chooses. Right, Mr. Cooper?"

Steven smiled faintly. "You know me well."

The attendant beamed. "Everyone in Hartemis City knows how much you adore Mrs. Cooper. We've seen all your interviews—you always mention her."

Another one chimed in, "I remember once you left in the middle of an interview just to buy her donuts."

"Yes! That was the sweetest thing ever!"

Lucy listened quietly, her expression unusually calm.

"You envy me?" she asked softly.

The employees nodded eagerly. "Of course! Every woman in Hartemis City envies you!"

If only they knew.

If only they knew that this man—the one who seemed to love her so deeply—had already built another home elsewhere. That he already had two children with another woman.

Would they still envy her then?

Just as they were speaking, a knock came from the door.

A staff member peeked in cautiously. "Mrs. Cooper, have you finished choosing? There's another VIP customer outside who would like to see the catalogs."

Steven frowned. "My wife isn't done yet. Let them wait."

"But, Mr. Cooper... she's..." The employee hesitated, struggling to find the words.

Steven seemed to realize something. His expression darkened, and he cursed under his breath before standing up abruptly.

"Lucy, let's go to another store."

Before she could react, the VIP room door swung open.

A woman stepped inside, smiling.

And beside her stood two children.

A boy and a girl. Both around four or five years old.