Chapter 3

Jonah's eyes widened, curiosity written all over his face. The guests who'd come for his birthday drew closer at the commotion, including Augustin.

Sephine shot him a glance and turned to me. Then, after pressing her lips together, she murmured, "I was going to pretend I know nothing and not say a word since we're family. But I don't know what I did to have Clarice try to ruin my name.

"You cheated on Augustin and pinned it on me. And just because I come from nothing, you've always believed I'm not good enough for Jonah and want us divorced.

"But I've done everything right and have been loyal to Jonah from day one. You can't frame me with your own filth, just because you look down on me!"

She stood there looking so pitiful, while Jonah and the guests looked visibly shocked.

As for Augustin, he stared at me, dumbfounded. "Clarice… seriously?"

All eyes drifted between me and Augustin, hungry for drama.

Jonah pulled the crying Sephine to his side and reassuringly said, "It's okay. I know you didn't do anything. Don't worry, I promise to make this right."

Then, he turned to me and shot me a glare. "Clarice, not only did you sleep around behind Augustin's back, but you also tried to frame Sephine!"

I fixed him with an icy stare. "Me? Frame her? Open your damn eyes and check the red marks still blooming on her neck!"

Jonah stiffened, realizing why Sephine had worn turtlenecks these days. Before she could react, he yanked the collar down.

And there they were—faint red marks mapping her neck.

"I'm allergic to mango… It's an allergic reaction from when I brushed against some a few days ago," Sephine quickly explained under Jonah's stare.

To convince him, she rolled up her sleeve and showed more red allergic blotches across her skin.

With patchy red rashes bloomed across her skin, she sniffed and murmured, "Honey, you know I'm allergic to mangoes. The meds made me photosensitive, so I had to wear turtlenecks and get myself all covered up."

Jonah's anger melted away at her explanation, while Sephine turned to me with wounded eyes like she'd been wronged.

"Clarice, it looks like you won't rest until I'm proven guilty. In that case, I'll have to show proof."

Guests of the birthday party trailed behind her to the upper floor, eager for the show. Like in my past life, she stormed into my bedroom and flung open my closet to reveal two pairs of men's boxers.

"Here it is! This is proof that Clarice's been sneaking her lover in! After they had their last affair in the house, I saw him run out half-dressed and leave these behind!

"I wasn't going to say anything, but I can't hold it in any longer!"

She grabbed the two pairs of black boxers in my room and looked perfectly heartbroken.

Noticing the pairs of black boxers, Jonah pointed a finger at me and lashed out. "The proof's right here, so how can you still deny it? Clarice, I know you hate Sephine. You've always been scowling since the day we married.

"But I never thought you'd go this far to cheat in the house and blame her for it!"

I almost laughed hearing the same line in my past life, and sure enough, this time I did.

Jonah frowned. "How dare you laugh?"

He turned on Augustin next. "Augustin, why aren't you saying anything? Clarice's cheating on you. Aren't you mad?"

Sephine shot me a quick, provocative look that basically screamed, "You're doomed!"

They looked forward to seeing Augustin turn around and slap me. After all, no one could ever tolerate cheating.

Under their expectant gazes, Augustin awkwardly cleared his throat. "Those are mine, Sephine. Is there a problem?"

Sephine was dumbfounded. "B-But you don't even wear black."

"How are you so clear about what color my husband's boxers should be?" I asked.

"I-I-I…" Sephine stammered and failed to get a single coherent sentence out.

Just then, a startled voice sounded from the next room. "What is this?"