Chapter 3

His words touched me so deeply that tears rolled down my cheeks. I couldn't stop sobbing.

After all, Charlie and I had known each other for over a decade. I had no siblings, and now that my parents were gone, he was the only person I had left in this world who I could rely on.

When Charlie saw me crying, he felt even more guilty. He kept comforting me until I finally got back into the car.

Alya's foot had been wrapped in a little gauze. When she saw me get in, she gave me a flattering smile.

I simply turned away and told the driver coldly, "Let's go. Drive a little faster."

Since nothing else went wrong along the way, we soon reached the area near the town where my parents had met with their accident. However, the mountain roads were steep and winding, and they were too dangerous to drive on at night. I insisted that we keep going, but Alya couldn't take it anymore. Looking miserable, she suggested, "Why don't we rest for one more night? We'll get there tomorrow morning anyway."

Then she turned to Charlie and spoke in a softer voice. "Besides, I haven't showered in two days. Here, smell me."

She pretended to let Charlie smell the collar of her shirt, exposing her delicate neck right before his eyes.

My expression darkened at once. Seeing my reaction, Charlie quickly looked away. "I'll ask the driver to find us a place to stay."

Only after agreeing did he seem to remember that I was there, too. He turned to look at me. "Josie..."

I took a deep breath and reluctantly nodded.

The roadside inn, however, was so run-down that I felt uneasy when I saw the tall, cold-faced man standing behind the front desk.

But Alya insisted on staying there, so we had no choice but to pay for our rooms and head upstairs.

By the time I finished unpacking, I was completely exhausted.

Then I heard Alya's soft moan coming from the room next door. "Mr. Fenton..."

I froze for a moment before rushing over to knock on their door.

Charlie took a long time to open it. When he finally saw me, he looked a little nervous. Then he frowned and asked, "What is it?"

I looked at him in disappointment. "Why are you in her room?"

Alya finally spoke up, "Ms. Souza, I can't move around very well because of my foot, so Mr. Fenton came to help me wash my hair. Is there something you need?"

So he was only helping her wash her hair.

Even though I knew I'd misunderstood, I still felt so hurt that I couldn't stop myself from crying.

Charlie and I had known each other for over a decade, yet he'd never once washed my hair for me.

Now, he was doing it for another woman without a second thought.

Charlie hadn't used to be like this.

We'd been by each other's side through every stage of our lives.

We went to high school and college together. Every year on my birthday, he picked out the best gifts for me. When we were in a car accident, he even put himself in danger without hesitation to protect me.

I was sure I loved Charlie. If my parents hadn't died unexpectedly, we might have gotten married not long after they returned home.

But the love I'd always felt so certain about began to waver the moment I saw Alya.

Charlie treated her so well. It reminded me of how he'd done everything he could to make me happy during the first few years of our relationship.

Yet Charlie still kissed my forehead and told me he couldn't live without me.

It seemed like he still loved me, but somehow, he kept finding new ways to hurt me.

I quietly turned and walked away, tears streaming down my face.

In the middle of the night, I received a message from Alya. "Ms. Souza, could you please come outside for a moment? There's something I'd like to talk to you about."