All Chapters of Always Second to His Past: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

I returned to my seat while the students continued clinking glasses and exchanging toasts. Isaac Cooper had turned slightly to the side, listening as the man next to him began a toast.As I looked at his profile, my thoughts drifted uncontrollably back into the past.Isaac had always been particular, especially when it came to how I dressed. From the moment we started dating, he gradually took over most of my wardrobe.Whether I preferred minimalist outfits or comfortable sportswear, he always insisted on dressing me in the same carefully selected styles. He chose elegant dresses paired with knit cardigans, plain cashmere coats in solid tones, and a variety of small, delicate pearl accessories.Earlier that day, I had planned to wear a black designer jacket, but he had frowned and selected the white dress I was now wearing instead. I had assumed it was simply his personal preference, yet after hearing that conversation earlier, everything now felt strangely unsettling.The way the

Chapter 2

The next day was the weekend. Isaac had to work overtime on a project at school, so he left early in the morning, leaving me home alone.Back when we first bought this place, it was meant to make his commute more convenient. We chose it as our marital home, and the layout had been designed entirely around what was considered appealing to a woman. However, I had never been fond of overly feminine things.During the renovation, Isaac had persuaded me time and again, insisting that this kind of design created a warmer, more homey atmosphere. Because I loved him, I gave in completely.Looking back now, the one who truly liked this style seemed to be someone else. In this home, I wore clothes in Lilith's style, lived in a house styled for Lilith, and listened to music that Lilith preferred.I sat on the couch for a very long time, until the sun began to set and the room dimmed. By the time my tears had dried, my heart had somehow settled into an unexpected calm.I picked up my phone an

Chapter 3

Isaac's birthday came, and I attended the celebration.The company-provided apartment wasn't ready yet, and I had no intention of telling him about the transfer to the branch office. I had considered divorce, but I didn't know how to bring it up. In the end, I decided to accompany him for one last birthday, as a final gesture to the years we had shared as husband and wife.This time, I wore a black long dress of my own choosing.When Isaac saw me, he frowned slightly. "Iris, why are you wearing this? You have a white dress in your wardrobe. Wouldn't that be better?"He was trying to interfere with my choice again."That one's dirty. It won't come clean," I replied.Isaac didn't catch the hidden meaning in my words. He just glanced at the time and urged, "Fine, then let's go. Don't keep the students waiting."When we arrived at the reserved private room and pushed the door open, ribbons and cheers hit us at once. The room was decorated incredibly romantically, filled with white

Chapter 4

Isaac had drunk too much and passed out the moment he got home.At 7:30 am the next day, I received a call from Rosenhalt Hospital."Hello, Ms. Walsh. The minimally invasive breast surgery you scheduled last month is set for 10:00 am today. Will you be able to arrive on time?"I froze. So much had happened lately that I had almost forgotten about it.It was just a minor procedure to remove a benign fibroadenoma, but the location was tricky, and the doctor had recommended doing it as soon as possible. Still, all I wanted now was to move out."I'm sorry, something came up today. Could I cancel or reschedule?" I asked quietly."Ms. Walsh, appointments with our specialists are extremely hard to secure. If you cancel today, the next available slot may be more than three months away."Isaac walked out, rubbing his temples, and happened to catch the conversation.He frowned and gently said, "Iris, it's not easy to get a slot like this. Don't cancel it. Your health is more important. I

Chapter 5

Isaac froze when he saw the divorce papers on the coffee table. At first, he assumed I was overreacting because he hadn't stayed with me during the surgery.He didn't come looking for me until the next morning, when his calls went unanswered. As he drove to my old office, anger and frustration churned silently inside him."Iris? She already transferred to another branch yesterday. Mr. Cooper, you're her husband, how could you not know?" the receptionist asked in surprise.Isaac went pale and immediately drove to the school, frantically searching for any clue on where I might be.As he walked down the hallway outside the faculty lounge, he caught the faint sound of students chatting in a voice call from the next room. Rosella Decker and her friends were visiting their alma mater that day."Did you hear? Mrs. Cooper is divorcing Mr. Cooper and had moved out""Yes!" someone replied. "She was just a stand-in, taking up three years of Mr. Cooper's time. Lilith should have had her plac

Chapter 6

The folder held countless emails. I opened them one by one, and each was a draft addressed to Lilith that had never been sent.The most recent was from a month before Isaac proposed to me three years ago. Every line in those emails was filled with the longing and despair of a love that could never be his."Lilith, you've been abroad for two years. Today I walked past our old favorite dessert shop and bought a slice of your favorite cheesecake. Too bad it wasn't you sitting there.""My family won't stop pressuring me to get married, and I'm exhausted. If I can't have you, what's the point of marrying anyone else? All I can do is pretend you're still here, pretend we still have a future…"I looked at the screen in silence. From the very start, my marriage had been nothing more than a compromise. A hollow ache lingered in my chest. I drew in a slow breath, sipped the floral tea beside me, and then calmly selected all the emails and deleted them.My phone vibrated suddenly. A mess

Chapter 7

When I heard Isaac's self-righteous questioning, I couldn't help but laugh. "Isaac, I'm not upset. I know I was only ever a stand-in for Lilith, and I know you've never forgotten her." Isaac's eyes widened slightly, and the anger on his face froze instantly. I held his gaze and added, "Your heart has always been with her. Now that she's back, I'm stepping aside. Don't come looking for me again."Without another word, I turned and walked into the subway station with Gavin.Isaac froze in place as the cold autumn rain soaked through his clothes. His brain went blank, struck with disbelief that I had uncovered the truth.Memories of the past three years with me flashed through his mind. He remembered how I had indulged him and worn white dresses to please his tastes. All the care and compromise he received were not his due. They were founded on my love for him.Even now, the house we had shared seemed filled with my presence. Lilith's return hadn't erased the void in his heart

Chapter 8

The next morning at nine, I arrived at the courthouse right on time.Isaac was already there, clutching a stack of documents. The whites of his eyes were streaked with alarming red veins.He looked at me full of guilt and pleaded, "Iris, take all of this—property, cars, savings… As long as you don't sign—"I cut him off, "I only want my rightful half."He met my resolute gaze, fell silent for a moment, then nodded blankly. We walked into the courthouse. Throughout the entire process of signing, stamping, and completing the formalities, we didn't exchange a single word.Lilith stood on the steps a short distance away. It was clear she was waiting for Isaac. When she saw him come out, she called softly, "Isaac…"She tried to draw his attention back to her, but Isaac ignored her completely. His eyes were lifeless, and he walked past her, heading in the opposite direction.At that time, a message from a coworker popped up. "We're going out for barbecue tonight to celebrate you b

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