Chapter 3 Slap Him

My mind froze at that very moment. I couldn't understand what that woman was talking about. What did she mean, he sent men to hurt me so I couldn't come to Imperia?

The girl's tears wouldn't stop, as if she were the victim of a horrifying incident. "I know that pregnancy was an accident. I know I betrayed her, but we're already a family, and I couldn't just let go. I can't just watch you keep her in the dark either. It's unfair to her."

For a moment, I wanted Chris to deny it, but he confirmed the exact truth I didn't want to hear.

"Don't worry. She'll never find out, Nancy. Just stay with our child in Imperia."

Chris' phone rang, and the man on the other end said clearly, "Chris, Wendy's company is sending her to Imperia for work, and it's really important to her. Her promotion depends on this."

Chris didn't even miss a beat as he answered nonchalantly, "Set up an accident like usual. Make sure she can't come."

My heart sank. That explained everything. All this time, I had assumed that fate just had it out for me, but the truth was far more absurd than that.

I used to down coffee and energy drinks like water just so I could squeeze out more time for work, to make enough money, and raise a family with Chris as soon as I could. Now, everything left from those days was something bitter.

That made me snap.

I walked out from the shadows and stormed toward Chris. When I got close enough, I slapped him with all the strength I had.

The man I used to love looked stunned, like a deer caught in headlights. "Wendy? Why…"

I held my breath and bared my lips in a ferocious smile. "Surprised? Well, you must be smug for marrying your secretary and having a child behind my back."

He defended Nancy immediately, but his eyes were on me. There were even hints of panic in them. How disgusting. "I can explain!"

My lips pulled further.

When I spoke, my voice was cracking. "Explain what? Explain how you sent hitmen after me so I couldn't come to Imperia?"

During our first year in our long-distance relationship, I risked my life to save everything when the fire engulfed our house. I ran back in there just to save the pieces of memories I shared with Chris.

In the end, only a pile of ash remained despite my efforts. The hatred and loathing I had for myself nearly killed me. I cursed myself for forgetting to turn the stove off and letting the fire destroy everything.

Chris was on the other end of the video call, crying his heart out. He blamed himself for not being there for me when tough times came calling.

However, that concern eventually turned into something more robotic when I kept trying to see him out of longing.

It was always the same thing.

"I'll come back when I'm done, Wendy. It's for your own good."

Now, I knew that it had been a lie to cover up the existence of his other family. Now, I knew that he had done so at the cost of my safety. My tears finally fell in earnest as I slapped him again with my trembling hand. "Does our relationship mean nothing to you?"