Chapter 2

The next morning, Winona stuffed a brand-new suit into my arms. “Zephyr’s fever was too high yesterday. It’s not like I didn’t want to come back. I swear that nothing happened between Jacob and me. I can show you the security footage.”

“There’s no need. I trust you.” I shook my head calmly.

Winona stiffened up, and her expression remained sour. After a moment, she dragged me into her car. “Let’s go get a couple’s tattoo to show our love to the world.”

I froze. “I’m allergic to tattoos.”

Winona did not lift her foot from the gas pedal. “You won’t have an allergic reaction. Jacob’s friend owns the shop. He’s a doctor. He won’t harm anyone.”

The moment the car stopped, she dragged me into the shop. “Jacob has already sent you the sample. Tattoo it on his face.”

I turned my face away. “Don’t touch my face.”

No one listened. They pinned me down, and it hurt so much that my knuckles turned white.

A long time passed, and I looked into the mirror. I read the words that were covering my whole face.

[I’m the affair partner]

I grabbed Winona. “Do you have to humiliate me like this, Winona?!”

Winona was stunned before shaking my hand off. “Jacob just sent the wrong sample. Stop kicking up a fuss over nothing. He has already apologized to me.”

So, just because Jacob made a mistake, they could pretend nothing ever happened.

I grabbed her waist this time. “This is my face!”

Winona frowned in faint annoyance. “You’re a man. Since when have you become so superficial? It’s just your face. No matter what happens to you, I will always love you. Am I supposed to yell at him and make him feel guilty forever? He’s already having a hard time alone.”

I was so angry that I raised my fist, only to see one word on her neck.

[Awakening]

I was stunned.

Jacob had a word at the same part of his neck.

[Love]

Combined, it would form the phrase “Love Awakening.”

What about me?

Was I the shallow one?

Winona struck my hand and dragged me out. “Stop making a fuss already. It’s Zephyr’s birthday today. We have to go.”

I kept fighting back. “Winona, do you want people to laugh at me?!”

She just ignored me. “Stop it already. With me around, no one will dare to treat you badly. Once it’s over, I’ll have someone get rid of the tattoo for you.”

I grabbed my knees tightly, and I could feel my heart bleeding.

Ever since I got married to Winona, I suffered every day.

The moment we got out, the mocking words got louder. I could even hear grating laughter.

“Oh my! So, he’s the affair partner! Even though he’s been with Winona for so many years, he still hasn’t managed to help Winona conceive an heir, right?”

“He’s just trying to marry rich and climb the social ladder. How disgusting.”

“I need to take a picture so that my friend can do it too.”

“No. I’m not.” I ducked my head as I retorted, and the veins on the backs of my hands bulged. Instinctively, I turned to Winona, only to find her pursing her lips. She then turned to pick up Zephyr. She cooed at him while listening to Jacob’s words of jealousy.

They were the ones who looked like a family.

I suppressed my instinct to hit them. I did my best to hold my tears back.

My mind returned to the time I was in university. I often suffered from allergy reactions, and my coursemates insulted me.

However, no matter how horrible the insults were, they would always apologize to me the next day. Meanwhile, Winona’s body was always covered in wounds of various sizes. When I saw them, she would throw herself into my arms and whine that it hurt. She would also let her hands start wandering around my body.

She had changed a long time ago.

When I snapped back from my daze, I found Zephyr collapsed beside me while cradling his stomach. “It hurts! I told you that I can’t eat it! Why did you force me to eat it?!”

Before I could react, Winona had already rushed over and slapped me in the face. Her nails scratched my chin. “You’re horrible, Shaun! How could you hurt a child?! Jacob has already swallowed his pride so that you can come back to my side. I already owe them enough! It’s no wonder that you kept pretending that you have no desires. It’s because you’ve always wanted to kill Zephyr!”

I collapsed to the floor, writhing in pain. I swallowed the blood in my mouth.

Jacob knelt beside me with Zephyr in his arms. “If you don’t like us, just say so. I’ll leave with Zephyr right now. I’ve spent all these years raising him. Just spare us already.”

I shook my head. “I didn’t do it. The cameras can show you.”

“That’s enough! Jacob is kind! Are you saying that he set you up?! You just hate him and can’t bear to see them live good lives.”

Then, Winona stomped on my hand and crushed my fingers. Blood spread on the floor. “I must have been blind to have chosen you. Enough with the act already. Once you’re done, leave!”