Chapter 2

It was noon by the time we woke up. Ivan carried me into the bathroom to shower, but we ended up fooling around in the bathtub for a long time instead.

I slumped against him, completely drained. His stamina was incredible. He seemed even more energetic than when we first got married.

That evening, he took me out to dinner. My legs nearly gave out when I stepped out of the car, but he caught me just in time. Ivan smiled, no longer able to hide the amusement in his eyes.

He had invited five close friends to the dinner, though I had only met them once or twice. During our two years of marriage, Ivan and I had spent most of our time in bed, with the occasional trip.

Then, what was this supposed to be? I understood him less and less by the minute.

However, Brenda arrived less than fifteen minutes later. She was even prettier than in the photo, with a fresh glow around her. Not that I felt inferior. I was beautiful, too. Ivan had said so the night before.

But… Was this some kind of ceremony to replace the old wife with the new one?

I had not realized Ivan cared so much about formalities. It almost felt like an official handoff.

"Brenda, you're staying for good this time, right?" One of his friends asked intentionally. It was quite obvious that that jab was meant for me.

I sat calmly beside Ivan and bit into the steak he held to my lips. I was not trying to put on a show. It was his fault I did not have enough strength left to cut my steak.

Brenda looked at me, emotions stirring in her clear eyes. She then asked with a smile, "I'm staying. I want to find a place and settle down. Can anyone recommend a good place for me?"

"Doesn't Ivan have an empty house in Southton?" The same friend asked, bringing Ivan into the conversation.

Ivan cut another piece of steak as he said, "My wife manages all my properties. I wouldn't know."

I blinked.

Everyone immediately turned and looked at me. He was certainly good at shirking responsibilities. I understood him less than ever now, though. Was he publicly backing me, or was he trying to make me step aside on my own?

He fed me another piece of steak, and I bit down harder than necessary, shredding it.

No other woman had any business moving into one of our homes.

But...

I glanced at Ivan as he cut another piece of steak carefully, looking like a truly devoted husband. The harder he acted, the more stubborn I became.

I looked at the friend who had started the conversation and suggested the house. Then, I said calmly, "Sure. It's empty, anyway. Someone might as well live there."

My casual answer stunned the table, and the friend choked on his drink.

Ivan's hands, which were holding his fork and knife, stopped midway through cutting the steak.

Even Brenda stared at me.

Was that really necessary?

I rolled my eyes but said nothing. They had probably begun plotting my replacement the moment Brenda returned. Their acting was so awful that even my nephew in kindergarten could have done a better job.

I had thought my generosity would give the hypocrites an easy way out, but Ivan stuffed a piece of steak into my mouth before I could continue. "Keep looking, Brenda. My wife and I used to live in that house. It wouldn't be appropriate for you to move in there."

Before I could finish chewing, he stuffed another piece into my mouth.

Ivan, you petty man. If you wanted me to give up my place, then let me. Are you trying to choke me instead?

Once the others realized the subject was going nowhere, they moved on to some other topic.

The rest of the dinner was just boring chit-chat, and I could not be bothered to listen, so I escaped to the restroom for some peace.

Warm water ran over my hands as I stared at the beautiful face in the mirror's reflection, full of confusion.

I had met Brenda, and Ivan and I had already slept together for the last time. This was my cue to exit.

The stage had been set for a showdown between the first love and the wife. I had delivered my lines exactly as expected, yet Ivan had suddenly refused to play his part.

What was he planning? Everything made less sense by the minute, and even I was getting confused.

When I returned to my seat, I realized Brenda was gone.

As for Ivan's friends, they had arrived eager for a show earlier, but none of them dared meet my eyes now.