Chapter 2

Lucas' words stirred something in me. For a brief moment, the pain and doubt I felt inside seemed to lessen slightly.

After we got into the car, he suddenly frowned and said, "I think I left something in the store. Wait here. I'll be right back."

With that, he quickly got out and walked back into the shop.

Later, once we were home, I went to check the pocket of the suit where I had found the phone earlier. Sure enough, it was gone.

The image of him smiling at the clerk came to mind, along with the warm compliments about what a loving couple we were. That scene kept replaying in my head.

I stood there in a daze, the bitterness in my chest slowly settling. I quietly told myself that maybe this was all just a one-sided crush on Serena's end.

After dinner, Lucas suddenly set down his fork and said, "I have to work late tonight at the observatory. I need to observe a star that's quite rare."

I frowned and looked at him in puzzlement. "I didn't hear your phone go off. And don't they usually notify you in advance? Why so sudden this time?"

He froze for a split second. Then, he smiled and gave a perfunctory excuse. "It's an urgent observation that's kind of a last-minute assignment."

I nodded without pushing further.

That night, the weather forecast announced a drop in temperature. Upon seeing it, I recalled that Lucas wasn't dressed warmly when he went out. I hesitated for a moment before deciding to drive to the observatory and bring him some clothes.

When I arrived at the parking lot, my phone buzzed unexpectedly.

It was a message from Serena.

Just seeing her name on the screen made my heart jolt. I remembered how she had once playfully complained to me that Lucas refused to give her his personal number.

"What if something happens and I can't reach him?" she had said, feigning innocence.

Back then, Lucas had said with a laugh, "Like anything would happen. Don't let her intrude on our private time."

Still, out of politeness, I had exchanged numbers with her in the end.

After a moment's hesitation, I tapped the message open.

In the video, Serena was wearing a striking red dress. The straps were barely clinging to her shoulders. Her posture was seductive, and her face glowed with a smug smile.

Standing beside her was Lucas.

His coat was off, and his tie hung loosely around his neck. Several buttons on his shirt were undone, revealing his collarbone. His eyes were half-closed. He looked tired, yet completely at ease.

The camera slowly panned as Serena deliberately brushed her fingers across the necklace around her neck.

It was a star-shaped pendant—one I knew too well.

She fiddled with it playfully, and her smile turned triumphant, like she was silently showing off her ownership over my husband at that moment.

I clutched my phone so tightly that I could feel the heat of the device vividly against my palm. However, my whole body felt frigid all over.

I instinctively wanted to run and flee from the unbearable truth. But the anger and heartbreak stabbed so deep that I couldn't bring myself to turn away.

Enduring the torture and turmoil, I forced myself to walk toward the observatory doors.

They were slightly ajar. I held my breath to press close and listen through the gap.

Serena's cloying and clingy voice came from inside. She teased coyly, "Professor Thorne, you seem to especially like seeing me in red."

Lucas' voice followed, low and tinged with slight exasperation. "Keep it down... Someone might stumble upon us."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Serena drawled, her tone deliberately sulky. "It's so late. No one's around."

I felt like I was sucker-punched in the chest. I leaned against the wall with my nails digging into my palm. I almost cried out in anguish, but I forced myself to choke back the fury and humiliation rising in my throat.

I didn't know how much time had passed before the sky started to lighten.

When the noises inside finally died down, I walked back to the car in a hazy stupor. With trembling hands, I reached for the necklace at my neck and yanked it off. I felt the cool metal of the pendant in my palm.

The pendant that symbolized eternal love became the brand of his betrayal. I gripped it so tightly it nearly cut into my skin.

With shaky fingers, I called my parents, who were far away in Mordeva.

"Wilma, what's wrong?"

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice from breaking. "Dad, Mom, I want to come stay with you for a while."