Chapter 2

After her shower, Margot forced herself to go to bed. Exhausted both physically and emotionally, she soon fell into a deep sleep.

Sometime later, she stirred awake to the weight of a warm body pressing against her. A familiar scent mixed with the smell of alcohol enveloped her.

It was Tristan.

Without saying anything, he just put his hands on her like he usually did.

In the past, whenever he took her by surprise like this, he'd whisper sweet nothings like "I've missed you so much" or "I couldn't control myself". His words always left her blushing and her heart racing.

But now she knew the truth. He just wanted to have sex ten thousand times as soon as possible, cure his condition, and go after the woman he truly loved.

Margot opened her eyes and shoved him away.

Tristan had been caught up in the moment, and the interruption annoyed him. His voice was low and husky. "What's wrong?"

"I don't feel well," Margot said, turning her face away, evading his kiss.

Tristan chuckled softly. His fingers teased her skin, and his voice took on that familiar, seductive tone that used to make her melt. "Doesn't seem that way to me. You're pretty eager..."

Margot's heart clenched. Those were exactly the kinds of words and gestures that had made her believe, time and time again, that he was deeply in love with her.

She fought the urge to push him away again. Her voice trembled slightly. "No... I don't mean unwell like that. I'm just not in the mood."

Tristan still didn't take her seriously. He assumed she was just throwing a minor tantrum and leaned down to kiss her neck.

"Come on, stop fighting it. You'll feel better in a second."

His touch made her whole body stiffen as a wave of humiliation and heartbreak washed over her.

She couldn't hold it in any longer. Her voice cracked as she confronted him. "You don't love me, do you? That's why you've never cared how I feel. As long as you get to satisfy yourself, that's all that matters, right?"

Tristan stopped abruptly and lifted his head. When he saw the tears welling in her eyes, he furrowed his brows.

"Who's been filling your head with nonsense? If I didn't love you, why would I want you this much? And why would I spoil you like a princess?"

"I am a princess!" Margot raised her voice.

"Alright, alright. You're my princess." His tone was dismissive as he leaned over her again, his breath hot against her skin. "Just a little longer, my princess. It'll be over soon."

"Soon? Did he mean tonight, or the day he finally reached ten thousand and could be rid of me?" Margot thought to herself, a cold, hopeless despair settling over her.

She knew she wouldn't escape him tonight. Just as she resigned herself to lying there like a doll, Tristan's phone rang sharply on the nightstand.

He paused and glanced at it irritably. But the moment he saw the name on the screen, his expression changed.

It was Nina.

Tristan pulled away from Margot at once and answered the call. His voice was filled with a gentleness and urgency she had never heard before. "Nina? You're back in the country? Stay right there and wait for me. I'm on my way!"

Without even glancing at Margot, he threw on his clothes, grabbed his car keys, and hurried out of the bedroom. His footsteps quickly faded down the stairs.

Margot curled up on the rumpled bed. Listening to the roar of his engine fade into the distance, a chill settled over her.

She looked out the window. High in the night sky, a few stars shone with unusual brilliance and seemed to be drawing closer together.

Soon, she would leave that man who had deceived her and never see him again.

…

Tristan didn't return until noon the next day. He looked relaxed, as if he hadn't walked out on Margot the night before.

"You're awake?" He walked over to her, his tone uncharacteristically gentle. "Something came up last night. Nina got back from overseas, and it was hard for her to get a cab at the airport, so I went to pick her up."

Margot kept her eyes lowered and said nothing.

Tristan continued as if nothing were wrong. "Nina heard I have a girlfriend and wanted to meet you. Let's have lunch together. She's already picked the place."

"I don't want to go," Margot replied, her voice dry and hoarse.

Tristan frowned, his tone turning firm and leaving no room for argument. "Don't be difficult. Nina means a lot to me, and she rarely asks to meet anyone."

Before Margot could refuse again, Tristan coaxed her along and ushered her out the door.

Meanwhile, Nina was waiting for them at an upscale restaurant.

She wore an elegant Chanel suit and immaculate makeup. Her demeanor was gentle and refined. She looked much younger than her actual age, yet she carried the kind of mature elegance that only came with experience.

When she saw them, she stood up with a smile.

"So you must be Margot! You're lovely. You and Tristan make such a perfect couple." She took Margot's hand warmly and greeted her like an old friend.

It was clearly meant as a compliment, but Margot noticed Tristan stiffen for a split second beside her. A fleeting look of discomfort crossed his face.

She knew exactly what he was thinking.

A perfect couple? She had never been the woman he truly wanted.