Chapter 3 Rose Tint

A few days later, I received a call from the private investigator and went to the hotel.

It was Poppy's mother's birthday. Colin had used a business trip as an excuse but had secretly arranged for Poppy's family and friends to gather there to celebrate.

I watched him move about confidently, organizing everything as though he were one of their own. Then I saw Poppy—dressed in layers of ruffled fabric like a frosted cake—glide toward him like a princess and slip her arm through his.

Her relatives and friends burst into teasing laughter.

"Colin, our Poppy's yours now—treat her well, you hear?"

"That's what it means to pluck the rose you have raised."

I stood there watching as Colin, caught up in the moment, actually called Poppy's parents "Mom" and "Dad". It would've been laughable—if it hadn't been so revolting. He was only ten years younger than they were.

…

Midway through dinner, Poppy got drunk. Colin led her toward the bathroom. In the hallway, she tiptoed up, fingers under his chin, their faces brushing close. "Say it—call me Mommy."

People were walking by, and Colin looked uneasy, coaxing her in a low voice. "Later, okay? When we get back."

But Poppy wouldn't let him go until he finally gave in, whispering "Mommy" again and again while holding her in his arms.

Seeing it with my own eyes and hearing it with my own ears hit harder than any report or photo could. I had thought I was already numb to the truth, but the sight of it still sent shockwaves through my head.

I leaned against the wall, forcing down the bile rising in my throat.

And suddenly, memories came flooding back.

I remembered the first time Colin took me to his hometown. His parents had criticized me for my education, picking me apart right to my face. Colin had grabbed my hand and walked out with me without a word. The sunset had reflected in his teary eyes, planting a seed of tenderness in my heart.

"Anya," he said, "I won't let anyone in this world mistreat you—not even me."

Then, I remembered our first visit to Poppy. The little girl had put on new clothes she'd probably saved for months, clutching a small bouquet of wildflowers as she smiled up at us with innocent joy. "Anya, Colin, I hope you'll always be happy together."

Why was it always the kind ones who got betrayed? Why did doing good only seem to lead to pain?

A cold wave spread through me. My hands trembled as I slid down the wall. Not far away, Poppy's spoiled, sugary voice carried over. "When are you going to divorce that old woman?"

Her pink Mary Janes pressed over Colin's black dress shoes, her slender arms looped around his neck. "Colin, I know you feel guilty. Sometimes I do too. Anya's been nothing but good to me, but from the moment I fell for you, I swore I'd never give up, no matter how hard it got. It's fine if you don't want to divorce her. Don't worry—when the day comes that you're tired of me, I'll leave and never bother you again."

At those words, Colin's long silence finally broke. A flash of panic crossed his face. "I'm not letting you leave me."

The words crashed into me like a free fall. It felt like I'd been clinging to the edge of a cliff for months, terrified and trembling—and the rope had finally snapped. The pain, at last, had an ending.

I gathered every piece of evidence, printed out his bank records, and organized everything neatly for the lawyer. Then, I called Colin. It took ten tries before he finally picked up.

"Anya, what is it?" Before I could speak, his voice turned impatient. "Can this wait? I'm in a meeting—"

I cut him off, calm and deliberate. "Colin, we need to talk."

Because of my upbringing, I had always been sensitive, prone to overthinking—and Colin knew that better than anyone.

Years ago, when I found a single strand of another woman's hair on his coat, I had quietly followed the trail to a female business partner who'd been flirting with him. For the sake of his company, I had pretended not to know. But Colin had been the one to end the partnership himself, looking me straight in the eyes. "Anya, I know how easily you worry. I'll never give you a reason to feel insecure again."

Now, in a voice steady and cold, I said each word clearly. "Colin, if you still remember the ten years we spent together, come home."