Chapter 2

At this point, there was nothing more I could say.

Tiredly shutting my eyes, I said, "Annabelle, I'm tired. Please leave my room."

"You're kicking me out? Well, don't come begging on your knees later!" Annabelle screamed.

Then, she stormed toward the door. She glanced back at me several times, yet I remained completely unfazed.

With that, she stomped out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her with a loud bang.

Back when I first met Annabelle, I hadn't yet learned that I was the long-lost son of a wealthy man. Instead, I was just a young beggar on the streets, having been abducted and sold into a poverty-stricken neighborhood.

When I was young, everyone would pick on me. I had been urinated on and had even had excrement thrown at me. Those were the darkest moments of my life, and it wasn't until I met Annabelle that a glimmer of light returned to my world.

After we got married, I found myself even more dependent on her, especially since I had recurring nightmares. Only with her beside me was I able to sleep peacefully.

I used to think that I had been redeemed by the power of love.

Now, however, I had been left battered and bruised by that same so-called love. I discovered that, even without her, I could still sleep well.

A good night's sleep later, I woke up, only to find no sign of Annabelle anywhere.

However, when I checked my phone, I saw that my rival had sent me a photo.

"Mr. Goodman, do you have a taste for being cuckolded? Did you know that your wife was using your money to support her lover?"

In the photo, Annabelle was leaning affectionately against Bernard's shoulder, a wide smile on her face as they picked out rings at a jewelry store.

…

Just as I got ready to send the divorce lawyer part of the evidence I had gathered, I suddenly received a call from Annabelle.

In contrast to her usual harsh and commanding tone, she sounded surprisingly gentle today. "Camden, after thinking over it, I realized that I was a bit too drunk last night, and that's why I lost control of my emotions. I've prepared a surprise for you, so wait for me at home."

A surprise, huh?

My lips curled into a mocking smile. Perhaps this would be yet another piece of evidence I could use to divorce her.

When Annabelle returned in the new Maserati I had bought her, I immediately noticed that Bernard was also sitting in the passenger seat.

He got out of the car and eyed me critically, letting out a soft snort. "Long time no see, Mr. Goodman. Yesterday, the lighting at the bar wasn't that bright, so I didn't get a good look.

"Who would've thought that the little beggar would've turned into a CEO now? Look at you now, all refined and well-dressed. I can hardly tell that you used to be that same dirty beggar who used to beg on the streets!"

It was more than obvious that Bernard was mocking me, yet Annabelle seemed oblivious to it.

Covering her mouth as she tittered, she agreed, "I know, right? Who would've thought that little beggar from back then would be the heir to a wealthy family? Right, little beggar?"

I pursed my lips tightly, not saying a word.

During the darkest period of my life, everyone would call me "little beggar". Honestly, I loathed that nickname, as it was a reminder that I could never escape the shadows of my past. It was only because Annabelle used to address me like that too that I had endured it for so long.

This time, I sternly corrected her. "I have a name, so please refrain from using that nickname."

Immediately, the smile on Annabelle's face turned into a scowl. She snapped in displeasure, "Don't be so sensitive. I just touched on a sore spot. Can't you take a joke?"

The more I listened to her, the more tragic I found my whole situation.

As it turned out, she had always known that this nickname was a scar in my heart that would never heal.

When I didn't speak, the atmosphere became rather awkward.

Bernard shot Annabelle a pointed look, and only then did she grudgingly step a little closer.

"Camden, do you know why I purposely asked Bernard to join me on a little errand today? As they say, men know men best, and I wanted to get you a surprise!" Fishing out a plain band ring, she fluttered her eyelashes at me. "Looks good, right? Hurry up and put it on!"

I calmly accepted the ring and put it on. It easily slid all the way down my finger, clearly a size too big for me.

An awkward expression crossed Annabelle's face, and when she spoke, her tone was aggrieved. "Oh no! I spent so long picking that out. The store employee must have gotten the wrong size."

I watched her try to explain herself, my gaze cold.

If I hadn't asked a friend to help me find out, I never would've known that this ill-fitting ring was simply the leftover after Bernard had already taken his pick.

The ring that actually fit him was already there on his finger, gleaming dazzlingly.