Chapter 2

Before leaving this morning, Tara had mentioned she had a contract to sign at a high-end club.

Then, with a gentler expression, she kissed the corner of my lips and said she'd be back later to eat dinner with me.

These kinds of social obligations were common for her, so I didn't think much of it. But when I turned around, I noticed she'd left the seal in the room. In a panic, I rushed out after her.

I did think it was a little strange when I saw her car stop in front of the gym. But I was too focused on delivering the seal to think twice, so I barged in. That was when I got grabbed by a man named Brandon.

Without a word, I was suspended in the air. I struggled violently, shouting that I was Tara's husband.

But Brandon and the people behind him merely sneered. "Tara has a husband named Eric Robles, and the other is Mr. Brandon Holden, who's standing right in front of you.

"Who do you think you are? And don't you dare say you're Eric!"

Brandon grabbed my chin, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "You're just another sick idiot dreaming about my wife. If you like her so much, maybe she should personally send you to your grave."

Mocking laughter erupted all around.

It was then that I realized that every time Tara said she had to sign contracts at night, she was actually sleeping with this guy.

I didn't want to believe that my wife's devotion to me was nothing but an illusion. She'd spent millions to light up the city sky with fireworks just to make me smile.

Last year, she even gave me an island for my birthday, telling me I could do whatever I wanted with it.

This past Valentine's Day, she bought two buildings overnight just to make me smile, saying I could collect rent to be able to give our future children allowances.

And she didn't hesitate to give me a kidney after my car accident. She had shown me so much proof of her love, so how could she have betrayed me behind my back like this?

Clenching my teeth, I shook my head hard. Alas, my firm belief in our relationship was shattered the second I saw her lean in to give Brandon a tender kiss.

"Babe, this jerk pisses me off. Can I turn him into my punching bag?"

"Sure, you can do whatever you want, as long as you're happy."

Tara pinched his face affectionately, her eyes sparkling like a sky full of stars. Seeing that through my soaked hair, I felt my blood slowly run cold.

So Brandon wasn't lying. He really was Tara's husband.

Then Tara appeared with boxing gloves. I held a sliver of hope that she would notice me as I watched her.

If she just glanced back at me, she'd see that the one hanging there to be a punching bag was the one she held close to her heart. Yet, her eyes were fixed on Brandon the whole time.

As if I were an inflatable punching bag, I got knocked down by her over and over again, only to spring back in the end. Blood was everywhere, and breathing itself became a painful ordeal.

And yet, what kept replaying in my mind was her straddling me and swaying happily as she said, "Honey, we should have a daughter first. If she looks like you, I'll spoil her like she's the one and only little princess in the world."

It was then that I realized her "one and only" was just a lie. I slowly lost consciousness. Every part of me hurt, and it felt like I was swaying on a boat at sea.

Urgent shouts rang in my ears. "Sir, hang on! The hospital's just ahead!"

Hearing that, I struggled to open my eyes.

The paramedic was a young lady. Seeing my bloodied face made her panic, but all she could do was comfort me. "Sir, we'll reach the hospital after we pass the outdoor banquet that the Brewer family is hosting. Hang in there!"