Chapter 3

Julian let the words slip out casually. "It's the same in bed. You still tense up even now. But when I'm with Wendy, I can let go and be a real man without holding anything back."

Those words shattered what little sanity I had left.

The young man who had once fought desperately to protect me had clawed his way through countless hardships to become the man everyone now knew as Mr. Cole.

He used to work himself so hard that he'd drink until he vomited blood rather than waste time in a hospital.

He had once been so careful and tender with me beneath the covers, removing my clothes slowly as if I were something precious. "Daphne, I'm going to give you a safe, comfortable life. You'll never have to be afraid again!

"I'll take it slow. If you're uncomfortable, I'll stop immediately."

How had the man who once loved me so deeply become such a stranger?

I shot to my feet and began smashing everything within reach.

My hair was disheveled, tears had long since ruined my makeup, and I looked like a complete lunatic.

How I wished he would stand up, pull me tightly into his arms, and tell me this was nothing more than a cruel joke.

But he merely raised an eyebrow, completely unmoved by my outburst.

Defeated, I collapsed back onto the couch and gasped for breath. "When did you two start?"

He stubbed out his cigarette. "On our wedding night six years ago. You couldn't stir the slightest desire in me. I left you there and went drinking with Wendy. That night..."

It felt as though someone had plunged a knife straight into my heart. The pain was so intense that I could barely breathe.

I had been filled with anticipation on our wedding night. However, when he moved on top of me, nausea overwhelmed me, and I ran to the bathroom to vomit.

By the time I came back out, he was gone.

I had called him desperately, over and over. I had wanted to tell him I hadn't been afraid. I had been pregnant.

But one of my calls had connected for only a second. I had heard a soft gasp on the other end before the line went dead.

At the time, I had convinced myself I had imagined it.

Only now did I realize that the voice had belonged to Wendy.

Julian continued, "At first, we planned to keep it to ourselves because we didn't want to hurt you. Then she found out she was pregnant.

"Getting pregnant out of wedlock terrified her, so I had no choice but to stay by her side throughout the pregnancy.

"Somewhere along the way, I developed feelings for her."

A bitter smile slowly spread across my face through my tears.

Throughout my pregnancy, I had suffered from severe morning sickness. So many times, I had wished he could be by my side through every difficult moment.

But he had always been busy.

I had assumed he had been working himself to the bone to build a better life for our unborn baby.

The truth was that he had been by my best friend's side instead.

Julian stood and straightened his collar. "When we found out you'd given birth to a stillborn baby, Wendy even had surgery to deliver hers early because she didn't want you to fall apart.

"See? She's been so good to you."

I laughed until I suddenly tasted something metallic.

Without realizing it, I had bitten the inside of my mouth hard enough to draw blood.

So good to me… She had secretly given birth to my husband's son. Right under my nose, she had spent six years playing the wronged mistress in my husband's life.

Julian had already reached the door when he turned back.

"You hurt Wendy's son. She's waiting for you to apologize. Until you realize what you did wrong, don't see Nathan again." His tone was as casual as when he reminded me not to wait up for dinner.

That morning, we'd gone to our son's awards ceremony amid laughter and excitement. Now the room was deathly silent.

I didn't know how long I sat there before my entire body went numb.

My phone rang, and I picked it up mechanically.

Julian had sent me a photo. He and Wendy were celebrating Nathan's award with him. The three of them smiled brightly at the camera, as if they were the ones who belonged together, a happy family without me.

Julian: [See? Nathan doesn't need you either!]