Chapter 4

The moment Violet stepped into her home, her phone chimed.

Violet unlocked the screen. It was a photo.

In the image, Grayson stood shirtless, his back facing the camera. Ruby, in a strapless mermaid wedding gown, had the long hem of her dress hitched up to her waist. Her pale legs wrapped tightly around his strong torso. The pose left nothing to the imagination.

Another notification followed. A video.

On the screen, Ruby clung to Grayson's neck, her voice breathless, tinged with laughter.

"Grayson, how could you tear my wedding dress... I just got it today."

Grayson chuckled, his voice low as he leaned into her ear.

"Didn't you want the dress just to show it to me?"

His fingers traced the fabric. "I even got the same designer as Violet's to make one for you. Shouldn't you return the favor?"

Ruby gasped. The video ended abruptly.

But that wasn't enough. Another message followed.

[Oh dear, I almost forgot you're deaf. Such a shame! Next time, I'll make sure to add subtitles. *wink*]

Violet's fingers clenched around her phone, the joints turning white. Tears slipped silently down her face, hitting the floor one after another.

She never knew a heart could be split so cleanly in two.

Two wedding gowns, designed for two women.

'Grayson, is this the love you spoke of?'

She didn't want it. She couldn't bear it.

Suppressing the pain in her chest, she lifted a hand to wipe her tears.

Her engagement ring caught the light.

For a long moment, she stared at it. Then, she pulled it off and tossed it into the trash.

Grayson had once visited a jeweler to learn the craft himself. He designed it, hammered it into shape, oversaw every detail. He had said a ring only held meaning if he made it himself. That way, whenever she touched it, she would feel his love.

But now, that love had rotted.

The ring was worthless.

…

Deep into the night, Grayson returned.

Violet felt the bed sink beside her. A faint mix of cologne and the smell after the intimacy filled the space between them. The images from the video surfaced in her mind, twisting her stomach into knots. She bolted upright and ran to the bathroom, retching.

Grayson rushed after her, panic-stricken. "Violet, do you have food poisoning? I'll call the doctor!"

She grabbed his wrist, eyes red. "I'm fine. Just... recalled seeing some disgusting photos and videos."

He knelt, rubbing her back, his gaze filled with concern.

"Don't look at those things again," he signed. "It hurts me to see you suffer."

Afraid she wouldn't understand, he took her hand and pressed it against his chest. Beneath her palm, his heart pounded fast and strong.

She instinctively glanced down—then froze.

His collar was slightly open. A few deep-red marks stood out against his skin.

Her stomach twisted violently.

How could he sit here, full of concern, while carrying another woman's traces on his body? How could he pretend nothing had happened?

Grayson tensed at her reaction. "Who sent you those things? Tell me, Violet. I'll make them pay."

Violet let out a bitter laugh.

'Grayson, the person who did this to me... is you.'

She didn't want to see his face anymore.

"I want to sleep alone tonight," she signed. Then, she pushed him out and locked the door behind him.

He knocked, his voice anxious. "Violet, open the door. Let's talk."

She climbed into bed, pulling the blanket over her head. The echoes of his voice in the video looped in her mind.

He had once promised her the kind of love no one else could have.

She had believed he was her salvation.

But in the end, he was the one pushing her down into abyss.

A tear slipped from the corner of her eye.

If she could turn back time, she would rather never have met Grayson.

…

The next morning, Violet opened the door to find Grayson standing there, looking almost... pitiful.

"Violet, why did you kick me out? Is it because I left you at the bridal shop yesterday? I really had an emergency. Don't be mad, okay?"

An emergency?

Yes, rushing to bed with Ruby must have felt urgent.

She didn't call out his lie. In eight days, she would be gone. He would know then that she had already seen through everything.

She shook her head. "I'm not mad. Work is important. I understand."

Her calm response made something tighten in his chest. He immediately shook his head. "No! You're the most important, Violet. I'll never leave you alone again."

He signed the words carefully, then pulled her into his arms, holding her as if he could press her into his bones, make her a part of himself.

She said nothing.

The future he spoke of—

It no longer existed.