Chapter 2

I opened Nancy's profile. Her latest post showed her and Caelum locked in a passionate kiss beneath a sky full of fireworks.

In the photo, the fireworks formed the shape of a rabbit. I recognized the display instantly. Caelum had originally arranged it for me.

Now, it had become part of their romantic reunion instead.

Things like this had happened so often over the past few years that I felt far calmer than I had expected. I was even composed enough to tap Like on the post.

Caelum called me immediately, his voice thick with irritation. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. Congratulations on getting back together."

"You're the one who drove me back to her. Don't come crying to me later."

Caelum's voice had returned to its familiar indifference. He must have assumed I was jealous again, just as I used to be.

He hung up without another word.

I swallowed a handful of pills, my expression blank.

…

Within a single week, Caelum had made me the biggest laughingstock in our social circle. He took Nancy to one lavish gala after another and entrusted her with a string of top-tier projects. She had already been a star, but now her name was impossible to ignore.

He even held a ceremony to exchange vows with her and sent the invitation straight to me.

Yet I accepted it without a fuss. I didn't fly into a rage as I would have in the past.

Meanwhile, Caelum's expression grew darker with each passing day.

Nancy: [So what if you managed to remarry him, you crazy woman? His heart still belongs to me.]

I glanced at Nancy's message before tearing the invitation to pieces. Then I walked into my studio and pulled the cloth from a canvas, revealing a woman's face.

It was my mother.

A dull ache spread through my stomach, and a thin trickle of blood escaped the corner of my mouth. My hand trembled as I picked up my brush.

With what little time I had left, I wanted to finish one last painting. Then I would go find my mother.

…

It was the night of Caelum's birthday party.

Nancy clung to his arm as she greeted the guests, acting as though she were the real Mrs. Pemberton.

I could feel the guests' mocking gazes on me.

Nancy approached me with a triumphant smile and raised her hand to show off the diamond ring on her finger.

For a moment, its brilliance was almost painful to look at.

I knew that design better than anyone. I had created it myself for my wedding ring when I first married Caelum. Now, that same design adorned his mistress' finger.

The only difference was that her diamond was worth far more than mine had ever been.

The contrast between us was just as stark. She looked radiant and beautiful, while I had grown pale and gaunt.

She let out a soft laugh, her voice dripping with contempt. "Annie, how did you let yourself become so pathetic?

"When you two divorced, I told Cael not to be so cruel. I even asked him to give you some money. But I never expected...

"Even after remarrying him, you're still living like a pauper. Look at you, all shabby and miserable. Tell me, have you gone back to work at the nightclub?"

Caelum stood by without a word and allowed her to humiliate me. He was waiting for me to beg him.

Instead, I stepped forward, seized a fistful of Nancy's hair, and slapped her so hard that she sprawled across the floor.

Caelum's expression changed instantly. "Annette!"

He roared my name and grabbed me, intent on dragging me into a room off the banquet hall.

I fought him with every ounce of strength I had, but my entire body suddenly went rigid.

The electrical wiring caught fire, and the lights went out.