Chapter 002

Hesitantly, Eliana hid behind the pillar supporting a corridor—the same one her husband walked through with the strange woman. She had to book a room before being allowed into the hotel, so she paid with her savings and the money Reece had given her.

"Mr. Sheriff, as I stepped out of the car, I felt a sense of gratitude towards your kind gesture. I couldn't help but think that you, a busy man with a waiting wife, took the time to personally drive me here. I am truly thankful for the ride, especially since my driver failed to arrive."

Eliana didn’t mean to eavesdrop on the conversation. As if she needed those words of clarification from that woman, her heart became calm, and the uneasiness faltered. She turned away with guilt in her chest.

How could she possibly doubt her husband? He was the sweetest man she had ever met. He was simply helping that woman get back home. What was she thinking? That he cheated? Absolutely not. He loved her more than life itself.

“Miss Athena, you are a much-needed client of mine. Ha, I cannot lose you to any competitors. I’ll do anything and everything to keep you safe.” Reece pronounced in his deep, musky voice that could send shivers down one's spine. He was standing in front of the woman's room number, helping her to the room.

“Anything, Mr. Sheriff?” Athena smiled. She placed her hand on his chest, using her fingers to tap against them. Reece backed up a bit but soon reciprocated the touch. His eyes burned with desire as she touched his body, playing a tricky game. They were still outside and could cause a scene in front of any onlookers.

“Yes, anything.” He almost moaned.

Eliana couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for misinterpreting her husband's actions when she suddenly heard a haunting moan. Curiosity drove her to peep cautiously through a nearby pillar, and what she saw shook her to the core. Her lips quivered, and her eyes welled up with tears as she struggled to contain her emotions, which had been held back while following Reece to the hotel.

“Not here, ah! Mr. Sherriff. Let’s get inside.” Athena purred, biting her plump lips.

Reece nodded patiently. He followed Athena into the room and, in haste, kissed her back. Like a beast, he took her clothes off and pushed her into the bed.

“Ah, your wife.” Athena gasped with rounded eyes, pretending to be worried.

“She can wait.” Was Reece's simple answer before he continued to ravish her?

Behind the door, Eliana felt the blood creeping through her veins. She had hoped it was only a trick of the eyes. She had hoped the door was soundproof. She had hoped it was all a misunderstanding. But it was the blind truth.

Reece was cheating on her!! For how long?

Anything! He would do anything for a stranger and not for once call to check on his wife! To check if she was doing fine or if she was sad or…

Her heart ached. Eliana now understood why people gasped for breath, leaned against the wall, and screamed in pain when they lost something. She now understood what they meant by a broken heart. It hurt terribly, suffocatingly so.

It felt as though the walls were closing in on her, and she could hear mocking waves of laughter everywhere.

Her stomach hurt.

Her chest hurt.

Her head hurt.

Unable to grieve the pain and humiliation, she decided to burst into the room and drag the woman out. She wanted to call out and humiliate the woman for seducing her man! He was a married man. Didn’t she feel guilty about the ones going to get hurt? Eliana automatically balled her hands into a fist to pull the door open, but her hands stopped mid in the air.

“I will get a divorce and take you to my family instead, Athena. Eliana is not worthy of being my wife or anybody else’s. She’s useless. All she does is wait like a dog after I get home. Even in bed, she’s like a mat. She’s a mistake.” Reece growled, clearly blinded by the pleasure he was enjoying. He spoke mindlessly.

“But you, Athena. You are beautiful and knowledgeable. You are everything I need in a woman. In a life partner. I don’t need a burden. I will divorce Eliana and marry you. We can rule both companies together.”

Athena laughed.

“Yes, we can.”

Unbeknownst to them, another person heard their conversation. Eliana didn’t believe what she heard. She stumbled and trembled. The tide of her tears washed down like a careless storm, an unstoppable force that ravaged her pure soul.

Suddenly, an intense discomfort in her stomach attacked aggressively, causing her to pull behind. She felt like screaming as the pain gnawed in her chest. She smacked her hand over her mouth to quell the sobs and ran out of the hotel. She collided with a few customers but didn’t have the will to apologize.

One of the receptionists had called for her to give the receipt for the payment, but her ears were deaf.

She entered the car. Left alone, she didn’t pretend she was okay. She wept openly and uncontrollably, the grief and betrayal overwhelming her senses. She was very proud of her marriage. She was proud there had been no stains on it. She was so proud.

“What was wrong with me? What weren’t you satisfied with? I made you happy! I made you a child!” Eliana sobbed helplessly.

I gave you everything, Reece.

I became a housewife for you not to feel insecure about my whereabouts!

I disowned my family for you!! I hurt lots of loved ones for you, and what did you do?

Blinded by her pain, Eliana aimlessly drove out of the hotel and onto the main road, breaking traffic rules as she exceeded the speed limit.

Close enough, she was almost hit by a truck, but her fast reflexes helped her. She stopped the car at a drastic halt, and her head hit the wheel with force. Frustrated, she got out of the car and managed to recognize where she had landed herself. It was in front of a club she and Reece once went to.

Back then, she had to push some ladies away from her husband. They were blatantly flirting with him even when they saw a ring on his finger. She almost killed one of the stubborn ones that Reece had to take her away from there. She caused them to be banned.

Now, it feels fake.

His love, his patience, his understanding. They are all FAKE!!

For the past three years, she had been devoted to the marriage, but clearly, he wasn’t.

She would not cry for a man like that ever again.

Never again.