Chapter 2

[Bella's POV]

I saw a flash of panic in Brian's eyes, but it was gone almost as soon as it appeared.

"Babe, what are you thinking? Why would I hide anything from you?" he asked, trying to brush me off.

He was about to go on when his phone suddenly rang, cutting him off. He glanced at the screen once, then stood up and grabbed his coat. He said, "Sorry, Bella. There's something urgent I need to deal with at the office. I have to go."

I watched him hurriedly shrug into his coat and asked softly, "Can you not go?"

Brian paused for a second, but he didn't turn back around. "Bella, you know this is all for our future."

I'd heard that line more times than I could count. Every time he said he had some emergency at work, and every time I tried to ask him to stay, he would say that exact line.

He was born into old money—a reputable family with accumulated wealth. Meanwhile, I came from an ordinary background. We were from two completely different worlds. That was why his family had never been willing to acknowledge me or our relationship.

Back then, he'd gone against them for my sake. He'd walked away from the family business and started his own company from scratch, eventually making a name for himself in the industry.

I'd also worked hard and built my own career step by step. Only then did his family finally relent and agree to our marriage.

How could I not be grateful for everything he'd done for me all these years?

So, whenever Brian said he had to work late, had to travel for work, or had to handle something urgent at the office, I never questioned it. Even when I was sick, vulnerable, and needed someone by my side, I never tried to hold him back.

It never once occurred to me that all those so-called "urgent matters" were just lies. They were just excuses to go spend time with another woman.

Brian kept talking, still completely in his own world. "Once the company gets bigger, I'll be able to give you more money. You won't ever have to stress about work again."

I bit down hard on my lower lip, clenching my hands so tightly that my knuckles went white. I locked my gaze on him as I pressed on. "Is that so? You're not giving money to anyone other than me?"

He clearly hadn't expected that question. He froze for a moment and frowned. "Of course not. You're the woman I love most. Everything I do is for you."

Yet he gave Evelyn 100,000 dollars a month.

Brian's phone rang again. He hurriedly rejected the call, then leaned down to kiss my forehead. "I'll definitely come home to be with you tonight. Be good and wait for me."

The words were barely out of his mouth as he strode out the front door.

I closed my eyes and took a long, steadying breath. Then, I picked up my phone. As expected, Evelyn had posted another update. "Waiting outside Daddy's place to surprise him!"

I shot up from the couch and headed straight out the door.