Chapter 3

A dull ache in my abdomen jolted me fully awake. I quietly slipped out of his embrace, careful not to show my discomfort. "You forgot. I can't stand strong smells."

He reeked of the perfume Carly always wore. I hated it.

Simon's smile froze awkwardly. He quickly shrugged off his jacket. "One of the business partners brought a date to our dinner. Her perfume must've accidentally rubbed off on me. I'll change right now."

I let out a soft sigh, feeling utterly drained, and turned to lie down on the bed.

Simon waited in the walk-in closet for a long time, but I didn't go in to help him pick out clothes like I usually did. His figure looked a little lonely.

"What's wrong with you today? Always scowling," he complained with a frown. "It's just some perfume. Why are you making such a big deal out of it? You're really starting to act like a nagging housewife!"

Frustrated, he turned on his heel and stormed toward the entrance. He stopped at the door when he saw Rosalind holding a pair of bloodstained pajamas, ready to clean them.

Simon's eyes narrowed sharply before he grabbed Rosalind's arm. "Those are Irene's. Why is there so much blood?"

Rosalind froze, unsure how to answer. He snatched the pants from her and headed for the bedroom to confront me.

Luckily, just then, his phone rang with a special ringtone. I knew it was Carly.

His face changed the moment he answered.

"Irene, something urgent just came up. I have to go now!"

He tossed the pajamas onto the couch, grabbed his jacket, and disappeared into the night.

It was so late at night, yet one call was enough to make him drop everything and run to another woman without hesitation.

Rosalind looked at me with deep concern. I calmly told her to turn off the lights and prepared to sleep.

The whole night passed, and no one was by my side.

-

The next morning, Natalie Schuman sent word for me to go to the Schumans' residence.

Entering the living room, I immediately saw Simon standing stiffly, with Carly beside him, tears streaming down her face.

Simon hadn't noticed me. With his back facing me, he spoke to the matriarch, "When Ryan first pursued Carly, he swore he'd give her happiness. But now that she's pregnant, she's being tormented by his mistress. How could he allow this?"

His voice was cold as he pulled Carly closer. "If that's the way he treats Carly, I'll risk everything the Barkers have to take her away!"

I froze completely.

The servants all wisely lowered their heads, but a few braver ones glanced at me with mocking smiles.

Though I'd expected something like this, seeing it with my own eyes still sent a sharp sting through my heart.

Natalie, furious at Simon, noticed me and raised her voice. "You're so protective of Ryan's wife; have you forgotten you have a family, too?

"I heard it took a lot of effort for you to marry Irene. Aren't you supposed to be the perfect couple everyone envies? Don't you have any feelings for her?"

I stood rooted to the spot, eyes fixed hard on Simon's back.

He still wasn't aware of my presence. Instead, he held Carly tighter and said, "Hah, have you forgotten? You said that if Ryan broke off the engagement, the Medinas wouldn't let Carly into the company. So, to clear the way for Carly, I pretended to care for Irene.

"That was the only reason I married her!"

He spoke freely, but when he turned and saw me standing there, his face drained of color.

"Irene…" Simon's lips trembled, and he couldn't find the words to speak.