Chapter 3 The Pain of Loving Someone Who Never Loved Me

When the first rays of morning sunlight fell across Tracy's face, she slowly woke up. Seeing Caleb still asleep beside her, she traced his features with her fingers affectionately before carefully leaving the bedroom.

Barefoot, she curled up in her oversized office chair and stared out the window, a complicated expression on her face.

"The floor is cold. Put your shoes on," I blurted out instinctively.

Suddenly, Tracy lifted her head and looked in my direction.

In that split second, my heart dropped to my stomach. For a moment, I thought she could see me, but then someone walked straight through my body and approached Tracy.

It was Caleb.

He knelt before her, cradled her feet in his hands, and kissed them.

They looked into each other's eyes, then Tracy awkwardly pulled her feet away.

Suddenly, the room fell silent. The next moment, Caleb leaned in and kissed the corner of her mouth.

Tracy's body stiffened, but she slowly parted her lips and let him deepen the kiss.

His kisses moved from the corner of her mouth to her neck and collarbone. When he reached for her clothes, Tracy suddenly came to her senses and grabbed his hand.

Breathing heavily, she held him and pleaded, "I can't. I'm married. I can't do this. It would be a betrayal of my marriage."

Caleb looked hurt. His eyes reddened as he asked directly, "Tracy, don't you like me anymore?"

Tracy pressed her lips together and turned her head away, unwilling to look at him.

"Caleb, even if you left me because my family forced us apart, it's too late now. I'm already married. I only see you as a friend." Her voice was calm, but her eyes were red.

Hearing her words, I laughed bitterly.

Friends? Would friends watch the sunrise together on our wedding anniversary?

Would friends hug and kiss, wear matching outfits, and keep him company in a wedding dress?

Would friends book a hotel suite instead of going home, and sleep in the same bed?

Caleb wasn't satisfied with her answer either. He stood up and said sulkily, "In that case, I think it's time for me to go. Don't come looking for me anymore." Then, he made to leave.

Tracy hurried to her feet and wrapped her arms tightly around him.

Her voice trembled with panic as she cried out, "You left me five years ago. Are you going to abandon me again?"

Caleb's eyes gleamed with triumph when he heard her answer. Then, he raised an eyebrow and asked, "You have Dennis now. He's been by your side for five years, and you're carrying his child. What do you feel for him?"

Tracy's face turned pale. She remained silent for a long time before finally speaking in a low voice.

"That night, I thought it was you. That was why I slept with Dennis. That's how I got pregnant."

…

How ironic.

In five years of marriage, Tracy and I had only slept together once. I remembered that night clearly. It was the day Caleb returned back to the country. She had gone to pick him up and came home completely drunk.

From the way she looked, I knew she had gone to meet Caleb.

Throughout our five years of marriage, I knew she still had feelings for him.

She didn't want to have sex with me, and I never forced her. I kept telling myself that if I treated her well enough, she would eventually see my sincerity, let go of the past, and build a life with me.

However, when I learned that Caleb had returned and saw how devastated Tracy was over him, I panicked.

Just as my anxiety grew, Tracy suddenly embraced me and led me to bed. I thought she had noticed my insecurity and was finally ready to give herself to me, hoping that one act would reassure me. Only now did I realize how foolish and naive I had been.

Tracy had never loved me.

I sniffed and stared at her in despair.

…

Meanwhile, Tracy was still coaxing Caleb. "Give me some time. I'll divorce Dennis soon. Please don't be angry. The company's project is about to go public, and nothing can go wrong. Otherwise, my family will be even less willing to accept you. Caleb, I want everyone to acknowledge our relationship," she pleaded, looking up at him.

This was the woman I loved with all my heart. In front of me, she had always been as proud as a swan. Yet before Caleb, she lowered herself and begged, all just to make him happy.

This was the difference between being loved and being unloved.

I shuddered and tried to pull them apart. No matter how loudly I screamed, they continued embracing each other as my hands passed right through them when I tried to separate them.

I was dead. All I could do was rage helplessly like a clown.

I crouched in a corner, covering my face as I tried to cry. Instead, I burst into laughter. As I laughed, tears streamed down my face.

Meanwhile, Tracy had finally calmed Caleb down.

Then, she opened her laptop and began working. Her fingers kept tapping against the desk, and I knew that habit well. She did it whenever she was troubled.

I didn't know what was bothering her. Maybe she was frustrated that I hadn't divorced her yet, keeping her from officially being with Caleb.

However, I was already dead. She could finally be with the man she loved.

My thoughts were a mess. I felt as though I had forgotten something important, but I couldn't remember what.

Just then, Tracy's phone rang. I faintly heard the voice on the other end.

"Something happened to Mr. Hart! He..."

Tracy's expression darkened. "What stunt is he pulling this time?"