It was the third day of the cold war between us. As soon as I, Harper, walked through the door, Mr. Davis, our butler, approached me with a huge bouquet of roses. Mr. Davis’s smile was utterly fawning. “Mr. Leo knows he messed up, ma’am. He specially picked out these red roses for you this morning—your favorite.” “If he didn’t have a meeting today, he would have delivered them himself. Please don’t be too angry, ma’am. You’re the one Mr. Leo cares about most.” Mr. Davis exhausted every good word he knew, trying to make excuses for Leo. But after a long day, I just found his chatter irritating. Red roses were my favorite flowers, true. My hand lifted, but I didn’t take them. Instead, I rubbed my tired forehead, bypassing Mr. Davis and heading upstairs. Every time we argued, Leo would send me countless gifts. In the past, I’d treasured them like precious jewels. But after I found *that* letter, these gifts became a cruel joke. It was almost season change, and I decided to update my wardrobe. While tidying up, I found a yellowed envelope tucked away at the very bottom of my closet. Pink trim, an old-fashioned design – I knew instantly it wasn’t mine. I opened it and barely had time to read for half a minute when Leo, fresh out of the bathroom, rushed over and snatched it from my hands. He carefully inspected the envelope, making sure it was completely unharmed, then folded it neatly. As if realizing something, his gaze shifted to me, standing there stunned. Leo showed no hint of shame at being caught. His eyes held a slight reproach. “Why were you going through my things? Even in a marriage, people need their own space, don’t they? You’re getting more and more unreasonable.” Just accidentally seeing something of his, and I was judged so harshly. It was as if his wedding vow, “Everything I have is transparent to you,” had never existed. I pressed my lips together, meeting his gaze directly. “Aren’t you going to explain?” The name on that love letter was Chloe Peterson, my high school deskmate. The date at the bottom was from our sophomore year. Leo and I only got together at a graduation party after high school; he confessed his feelings, and I accepted without hesitation. What I’d forgotten was that day was the day after Chloe left for overseas. In high school, I was a quiet girl. Chloe, on the other hand, was outgoing and could chat with anyone. Since we were deskmates, she often talked to me. To be fair, I liked her quite a bit back then; we had a good relationship, occasionally ate together, and talked about girl stuff. At that moment, Leo didn’t seem to think he was in the wrong at all. “Explain what? You’re the one who needs to explain why you were rummaging through my things.” The atmosphere was tense, unyielding, until his phone rang. He visibly relaxed as he answered. “Fine, I forgive you. Just don’t touch my things again.” He threw that line out, then casually pulled on some clothes and walked out the door. As for the love letter, he seemed to have completely forgotten it, never mentioning it again. It wasn’t that I hadn’t tried to argue or confront him, but his dismissive, almost pitying look cut right through me. He’d said, “We’re married now. What else do you want?” His words squeezed my heart until I couldn’t breathe. Even with the window open and air circulating, I felt like I was suffocating. In that moment, for the first time, I began to truly examine all the years I’d spent with him. Later that night, I had already fallen asleep. In my dream, a dog kept clinging to me. I groggily opened my eyes, met with a pungent, alcoholic smell. Leo was drunk, kissing me messily, his eyes wet and glistening, like a golden retriever who had finally found its owner. After all, we had been married for years. I pushed him aside and sat up, intending to get him some water to sober him up. I sat up and put on my shoes. Suddenly, a warmth pressed against me from behind. Leo held me tight, burying his head against my shoulder. His voice was full of a pathetic whine, “Don’t leave.” I tilted my head, my gaze tinged with sarcasm. “Am I really the one you want to stay?” The moment the words left my lips, I felt him stiffen behind me. The pressure on my shoulder eased. I turned to look, and Leo was already lying flat on the bed. He stared blankly at the ceiling, his eyes dark and utterly vacant. My heart ached with a tight, sour feeling, but a cold, mocking laugh escaped my lips as I continued. “Is it because my parents passed away that you pitied me and married me?” He was the one who proposed, six months after my parents died in a car accident. I was completely devastated then, and he had helped manage my company. Before he started helping with my company, Leo had lost a fortune in his own startup. He’d gone around begging for money, and friends and family had shunned him like the plague. He’d finally begged me to let him work at the company to repay his debts, but his meager salary wasn’t enough for the enormous sum. He’d only managed to solve his financial issues by dipping into company funds. I simply hadn’t exposed him, seeing how tirelessly he worked for the company. After we got married, he slowly took over more of the company’s affairs, allowing me to pursue work I enjoyed. He’d promised me that my shares in the company would remain the highest, and he had kept that promise. But the reality now was Leo asking me, “So, what do you want now?” I glanced at Leo, the tearing pain in my chest stealing my breath. Disappointment heavy in my heart, I stood up. My hand was caught. His palm was warm, but his fingertips were cold, a confusing mix of temperatures. Leo repeated his question, this time with a hint of compromise, forbearance… and a flicker of disgust. “What exactly do you want now?” **Chapter 2** After that night, Leo often avoided being alone with me. But I didn’t fall into the same slump I had after my parents passed. I pulled myself together and went back to work at the company. The board members were surprised by my return. Some whispered that I was just back to play around, others speculated that my marriage was in trouble. I started taking on more and more responsibilities, and slowly, Leo stopped avoiding me. He began to interact with me like before, acting according to my wishes. I knew there was an invisible veil between us, obscuring our true selves. What broke the stalemate, or rather, made it worse, was a high school reunion. Our old homeroom teacher suddenly organized a reunion, personally calling to invite us. Our once charming and talented class monitor had turned into a pot-bellied desk jockey, and the quiet wallflower had become a confident, eloquent beauty. Everyone had changed so much. Our arrival drew everyone’s attention, along with some whispers. “Is that Harper? She’s so gorgeous now.” “They actually look quite good together now.” Indeed, in high school, Leo and I were in the same class for three years but had almost no interaction. It was my deskmate, Chloe, who had a good relationship with him. Everyone used to think Chloe and Leo would end up together. In high school, Leo was popular – smart, good-looking. I, on the other hand, was an unpolished nerd back then. No one thought we’d ever be a couple. It was Leo who confessed first. Sam, our class monitor, was still as enthusiastic as ever. He approached us to chat. “You two are seriously busy! Our old teacher said it took forever to get you here.” I smiled, my gaze sweeping over everyone. I wasn’t fazed by their stares. “But we’re here now, aren’t we? Let’s find a seat.” Once we sat down, everyone started catching up, drinking. Many classmates who I hadn’t interacted with much in high school came over to chat. Jake, our old sports committee member, came over half-drunk and slung an arm around Leo’s shoulder. “You lucky dog! You married the class’s heiress, and now she’s become this beautiful.” “Hahahaha! The poorest guy in our class and the richest girl got together. You really made it, man!” His voice wasn’t quiet. After he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent. Leo’s smile froze, his face darkening. Leo hated it most when people said he relied on me. He always believed his achievements were due to his own hard work, and that I merely provided a foundation. My smile was plastered on my face, but it didn’t reach my eyes. I said calmly, “Jake, you’re drunk.” I wasn’t speaking up for Leo; I was speaking up for my own dignity. Jake burped. “No, I’m not! If I’d known you were so rich, I would’ve made my move first…” Before he could finish, Sam quickly walked over, clamped a hand over his mouth, and dragged him away. “You’re wasted! It’s been years, can’t you keep your mouth shut?!” Our old teacher, sensing the awkward atmosphere, quickly started ushering people to eat. The mood hadn’t quite lightened when the door opened, and a familiar figure appeared. Willow-like brows, almond-shaped eyes, cherry lips, and a graceful nose – Chloe. She possessed a newfound maturity and charm compared to her high school days. Chloe walked in, greeting everyone warmly, then chose the seat closest to me. A few people whispered as they stared at Chloe. Our old teacher cleared his throat. “Stop staring. Chloe’s back in the country for good this time. You’ll have plenty of time to catch up.” Across from me, Chloe and Leo exchanged loaded glances, as if they wanted everyone to know they had something special. I, the legitimate wife, felt like the villain breaking up a loving couple. By the end of the reunion, everyone was completely wasted. I stepped outside, wanting some fresh air, and happened to run into Chloe. A sickly sweet, teasing voice drifted from around the corner. “I’m back. So, when are you divorcing her?” The door was ajar, so I couldn’t see the other person, but my heart instantly plummeted. The moment that voice spoke, my heart shattered. The owner of the voice sounded a bit annoyed, but he was trying to be gentle with the person in front of him. “You just got back. What’s the rush? Settle in first.” “Don’t lie to me! I came back for you.” **Chapter 3** I crossed my arms, a faint smile playing on my lips, though my eyes were cold and sharp. “Why are you talking out here? Is it something others can’t hear?” They exchanged a glance, unsure if I’d overheard their conversation. Compared to Leo’s panic, Chloe quickly regained her composure. She walked up to me, pulling me into a fake intimate embrace. “Oh, we were just talking about you, Harper. I was asking Leo what you like so I could get you a gift.” I pulled Chloe’s hand away, forcing a polite, artificial smile. “Still calling him Leo? You two are still so close, aren’t you?” Their faces stiffened. I continued, “Don’t bother yourself. Leo and I have everything we need now.” I had occasionally heard about Chloe’s life overseas. It hadn’t been easy for her. Determined to make them both suffer a sleepless night, I met Leo’s gaze, giving him no quarter. “Leo, after all, you and Chloe were quite the match in high school – a real power couple. It’s probably best you don’t get too close now. I might get jealous, you know.” I said I’d get jealous, but my cold demeanor sent shivers down Leo’s spine. The drive home was silent. Leo’s phone kept buzzing. The incessant ringing started to annoy me. I asked, “Aren’t you going to reply? What if Chloe has something important to tell you?” The moment I spoke her name, Leo slammed on the brakes. He glanced at me, then immediately turned off his phone. “I told you, there’s nothing going on between us! I just explained it, didn’t I?” His defense was weak, pathetic. I bit my lower lip, my mind already starting to plan for divorce. After that, our relationship completely froze. We didn’t even argue anymore. Even though he was the one who confessed, I knew very well that in this relationship, I was the one who was truly on the bottom. Every cold war ended with me initiating the reconciliation. Leo would just fob me off with gifts, as if presents could fix everything. But he forgot, it was I who, using my connections and family ties, had elevated him to a height he could never have reached on his own. Perhaps Leo had truly loved me once, but that love letter was a stark reminder that I was never his first priority. I felt so little love. I didn’t want to trap myself in fantasies anymore. But at night, falling into memories left me gasping for air. My body felt off, but I chose to ignore it, going to the company as usual the next day. For several days, Leo didn’t come home. I knew, but I didn’t care, pouring my energy into the company’s new project. Finally, I allowed myself a night off. As I sat down for dinner at home, Mr. Davis asked, “It’s getting cold lately. Mr. Leo hasn’t been home for days. I wonder if he has enough clothes at the office. Would you like me to send some over, ma’am?” This cold war had dragged on for too long, and everyone else in the house seemed anxious. Perhaps Mr. Davis simply couldn’t stand the current atmosphere and was kindly hinting. I had too many things on my mind lately, and my emotions felt a little out of control. My cool voice turned sharp and piercing, directed mercilessly at anyone who didn’t align with my wishes. “If you’re so worried, go find him yourself. I probably know where he is. Do you need me to tell you?” Mr. Davis had been hired during my high school years because my parents were busy with company affairs. In the past, he always prioritized my feelings. But after Leo and I got married, Mr. Davis slowly began to put Leo first. I stared at the dishes in front of me; most of them were Leo’s favorites. It wasn’t just Mr. Davis; the cook was the same. Clothes and daily meals were always chosen with Leo in mind first. The house decor was arranged exactly to his liking. My entire life was slowly being devoured, consumed. I took a deep breath, my eyes sharp as I swept my gaze across Mr. Davis. “Find the design plans I made for the house before. Arrange everything according to those.” Mr. Davis hesitated, wanting to speak, then forced a strained smile. “Ma’am, that’s a huge undertaking. And we should discuss it with Mr. Leo first…” I stared at her, expressionless. Mr. Davis fell silent, then immediately instructed someone to find the plans. At the company, I immersed myself in organizing the project proposal, not noticing anyone entering my office. Just as I finally allowed myself a moment to breathe, I looked up and saw Leo, whom I hadn’t seen in days. I ignored his presence, standing up to ask my secretary why she let someone in without my permission. Leo stepped forward and grabbed my arm. After days apart, his first words were an accusation: “Why are you redecorating the house? Are you planning to divorce me? All because of that love letter?” He sighed, shaking his head, accusing me. “You’re becoming so petty now. You weren’t like this before.” The moment he said that, my heart clenched. I let out a breath and looked at him, scrutinizing. “And you? Haven’t *you* changed?” “Besides, it’s *my* house. I don’t need you telling me what to do.” Leo hated it when I brought up money. Every time I did, he acted like he was a kept man, feeling inferior to me. I knew this, which was why I often avoided such topics and only praised Leo publicly. But with too much praise, not only did outsiders believe I owed everything to Leo, even Leo himself couldn’t distinguish reality. My words stung him. He unconsciously tightened his grip on my arm. Pain shot through my wrist. I ignored his cold gaze, biting my lip, and pulled his hand off. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve been up to these past few days.” Leo was speechless for a moment, then quickly found his voice. “I’ve been working myself to death for this company, and you don’t see any of that? Now, because I made one mistake, you’re treating me like this?” “Is it that in your heart, you only care about this company, and I’m just your obedient dog?” My brows furrowed. I didn’t understand why he was acting so wronged. I simply said, “If that’s what you want to think, there’s nothing I can do.” Then, remembering something, I gave a bitter laugh. “Have you finished helping Chloe with whatever she needed? Or are you just here to throw a tantrum at me? You should know I’m not a forgiving person.” Leo’s body stiffened. He denied it weakly. “I didn’t.” His rebuttal had no conviction. My phone vibrated in my hand. I glanced down, giving him a perfunctory reply. “Oh, right. It’s just friendly, harmonious help between classmates.” **Chapter 4** Leo was annoyed by my attitude. “Are you really going to treat me like this for an outsider? She’s her, and you’re you. We’re married.” I was so exasperated by his twisted logic that I wanted to leave, but Leo held me back. He remembered his true purpose for coming to see me: he wanted me to stop meddling in company affairs. I was the largest shareholder, and my return had significantly impacted Leo. The old men on the board, who already disliked Leo, were now opportunists, and Leo was slowly losing his influence in the company. My bad mood had made me sarcastic, which now made it difficult for him to communicate with me. Our conversations had rarely been this strained after we married. In the past, I would usually soothe myself, making him forget that before we got married, I had a very strong personality. Seeing my lack of trust, Leo seemed to grasp at a lifeline. “I can explain to you, that love letter…” But I didn’t have time to pursue it now. I turned and waved him off. “I’m busy right now. We can talk later.” Leo felt an indescribable bitterness, like swallowing a bitter pill. It wasn’t that I was deliberately ignoring him; he’d just come at a bad time. The head of Vance Enterprises, whom I’d been trying to reach for ages, had finally responded. I arrived at the agreed location according to the address they provided. When I saw the person waiting, I froze. The balloon of anxiety in my chest, about to burst, seemed to slowly deflate. Meeting the eyes of the person before me, I actually smiled. It was like a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders. I let out a sigh of relief. It wasn’t a forced smile or a cold, mocking one; it was the first genuine, relaxed smile I’d managed in days. Julian Vance watched my transformation from tension to relaxation and gave a helpless smile, extending his hand. “Long time no see, Ms. Harper.” His address momentarily disoriented me. It had been so long since anyone called me “Ms. Harper.” The title “Mrs. Leo” had almost made me forget my own name. Snapping back to reality, I stood up and took his hand. “Long time no see, Julian.” Julian was my middle school classmate. Our families lived close, and our parents knew each other, so we used to walk to and from school together. We went to different high schools, but our relationship remained as good as ever. However, Julian went overseas for college, and later, after I got married, we gradually lost touch. I hadn’t expected the person I was meeting to be Julian. We exchanged a few brief pleasantries before getting down to business. Julian had just returned to the country and was taking over this project. The collaboration partner was still under discussion. Though we were old acquaintances, Julian had no intention of giving me special treatment. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to secure this deal, but the hope wasn’t entirely gone. There were still a few missing points in the contract. Julian told me to revise it and discuss it at their company next time. Afterward, we both stood up to leave. Free from the corporate scheming, our conversation returned to the easygoing banter of old friends. Julian had been dropped off by a driver, but he just received a call saying the driver had an emergency. I didn’t hesitate to offer him a ride home. We chatted and laughed as we walked to my car, only to find Leo standing there. Leo’s eyes lit up when he saw me, but then his gaze narrowed sharply as he noticed Julian beside me. He quickly walked over to me, placing himself between us, his eyes filled with hostility. Leo didn’t want to talk to Julian; he seemed to flee as if Julian were carrying a plague. He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward my car. I glanced back at Julian, my mind still on the contract, knowing I couldn’t offend him. I pulled my hand away from Leo. Leo’s eyes grew cold as he stared at his rejected hand. I stopped, turning to him. “What are you doing?” Leo’s gaze was full of scrutiny, sweeping between Julian and me. He gave a cold laugh. “What am *I* doing? What are *you two* doing? You’re a married woman. What are you doing alone with another man?” I knew I was innocent. I’d been working myself ragged for the company, only to be doubted by him. My emotions had been unstable these past few days, and his words made me explode instantly. “Alone with another man? Ha! I didn’t realize Mr. Leo’s standards were so high. When Mr. Leo was with Ms. Chloe, did you ever consider that you were a married man?” Our words turned into spears, piercing each other. Our voices were grand and forceful, but they concealed shattered hearts. The parking lot lights were dim. We could see each other, yet a mist lay between us, preventing us from drawing any closer. **Chapter 5** The tension hung heavy in the air. Julian took two long strides forward. “Mr. Leo seems to have a lot of animosity toward me. Do you think there’s an issue with the partnership?” Leo’s open mouth closed, confusion clouding his brows. “Partnership?” At his bewildered question, I snorted. “Leo, you’re truly a diligent husband, aren’t you? You really haven’t bothered with the company at all these past few days, have you?” Julian “kindly” explained the reason for our meeting. Watching Leo’s face shift from flushed with anger to pale with shock, Julian’s eyes flashed with a hint of mockery and disdain. I wasn’t in the mood to care what he thought anymore. I just got straight into my car. Julian understood and followed suit, leaving Leo standing alone. After that, Leo returned home, but I was busy with company affairs, ignoring all his attempts to win me over, no matter what methods he tried. Everyone has a breaking point. I dragged my exhausted body home, met by a cloud of cigarette smoke—a smell I absolutely detested. Leo occasionally smoked, but he always avoided me when he did, and he’d air himself out before coming near me. The living room was dim, with small points of light glowing near the couch. I turned on the lights, still intending to ignore him as before. A weary, defeated voice came from behind me, sounding both resigned and demanding. “Let’s talk.” It was a conversation I couldn’t avoid. I checked my watch. “I’ll give you ten minutes. I need to sleep. I have an early start tomorrow.” Leo froze for a moment at my words, then let out a noncommittal laugh. “Now, talking to you requires a time limit? When did we become like this?” “Ever since your love letter,” I stated. Leo was silent for a while. “Yes, that letter was for Chloe, but I haven’t had feelings for her in ages. Why won’t you believe me?” No feelings? If he had no feelings, why did that conversation happen at the reunion? Was I imagining it? I internally sighed. Leo’s ability to lie through his teeth was getting impressive. I turned to meet his gaze, like an invisible power struggle, neither of us yielding until we were both bruised and broken. “So, is an explanation really that hard? Wasn’t it *you* who kept running away from it?! Do you dare ask yourself if you’ve truly been faithful?” “When I wanted to explain, what were *you* doing? Weren’t you busy chatting with Julian?” “That was business. I’m not as idle as you are.” “Business? Does business require meeting and talking every single day? Fine, you’re innocent. What about *him*?!” “You worry about yourself first! Everything I do is for the company. Oh, right, it’s *my* company, not yours. You obviously don’t care about its growth!” “The year after we married, when you went overseas—was that for him?” I didn’t understand what that year had to do with anything. It was a year I never wanted to revisit. I couldn’t recall when that night ended, only the countless hurtful words exchanged between us. My body was still standing there, but my heart had long since crumbled, and our love had rotted away. After Leo’s outburst, I spent the entire night plagued by nightmares. I woke up from a restless sleep and checked my phone messages. Among the work-related texts, there was one that stood out awkwardly. Unknown message: This is Chloe. Let’s meet and clear things up. I swiped away the message and replied to the work-related ones. It was business as usual: reviewing documents, attending meetings, communicating. It wasn’t until dusk approached that I pulled out my lipstick from my bag and added some color to my lips. I arrived at Chloe’s chosen location to find her already there. **Chapter 6** Chloe rested her chin on her hand, smiling as she looked at me. “I thought you wouldn’t come.” I ordered a black coffee. Chloe seemed a little surprised. “You drink black coffee now? I remember you used to hate anything bitter.” Because of our close relationship as high school deskmates, Chloe was the first person to know about my family’s wealth. But times had changed. Years had eroded our friendship. No one lived in the past. I lowered my gaze. “I assume you’re not here for a reunion, are you?” Chloe stirred her coffee. “I really didn’t want things to be like this between us. Honestly, I genuinely liked you.” I laughed, not a mocking laugh, but a genuine one that came from the heart. The chosen location had a perfect view. A glance showed the sunset outside, the lingering rays of the setting sun falling on Chloe and me, as if praising our beauty. “Regarding Leo and me, I’m sorry, but I truly can’t be without him right now.” My voice was laced with mockery. “Your feelings must be so deep then. Why did you two break up before?” Chloe was rarely stumped. After regaining her composure, she leaned forward, more aggressive now. “I know about the love letter. The one he wrote to me.” “Honestly, you should know by now why Leo chose you back then. It was because I went overseas, and you could be his best stepping stone at the time.” She mercilessly shattered my illusions, every word a stab to my heart. I saw clearly, yet I had allowed myself to be deluded, to believe that at least the love we shared all these years was real. But hearing the truth from Chloe, my former good friend and the woman Leo once loved, still made me uncontrollably sad. Gathering my last shred of courage, I met her gaze, stating calmly, “So what? At least we were happy for all those years, and we truly loved each other.” Chloe wasn’t fazed. Instead, she looked like a victor who had already claimed her prize. She pulled out her phone and pushed it toward me. “Tell me when you two ever loved each other after you’ve seen this.” I picked up the phone and started scrolling. My pupils contracted. The air grew thin. Chloe’s smile warped before my eyes, turning demonic. I don’t remember how I walked out of that coffee shop. All I recall is every memory I had with Leo being drenched in black paint. My mind was consumed by that chat log. Chloe and Leo’s conversation had started in the second year of my relationship with him. It began with simple greetings, then gradually progressed to casual chats, sharing, then ambiguous flirtations, and exchanging gifts. Every word they typed on that screen felt like a slap across my face. They had even met multiple times over the years. Whenever Leo said he was going abroad for business, he was actually meeting Chloe. During the year I was getting treatment, they met as usual. The love overflowing from that screen stung my eyes. It was so ridiculous, so utterly laughable, that I couldn’t even cry. The sky had turned completely dark. There was no dramatic rain, like in a movie, to accompany my sorrow. The city continued on as usual. I was even somewhat grateful I’d found that love letter. I’d managed to reclaim my heart from Leo before I saw these chat logs. But why did it still hurt so much? Was love truly this hard to let go of? I walked to my car, then squatted down, burying my head in my knees, unable to speak. I was afraid of being discovered, so I didn’t even dare to cry out loud. I don’t know how long passed, until my legs went numb. Someone softly called out to me beside me. I looked up, my vision blurry from crying for so long. A man was kneeling in front of me, his voice gentle, as if afraid to startle me. “Why are you crying here? Did something happen?” I suddenly stood up, but my legs were aching and numb from squatting. I stumbled forward and Julian caught me in his arms. Julian was about to say something playful, to break the somber mood, but the person buried in his shoulder began to sob louder. Julian sighed and silently patted my back. He comforted me just like he did in elementary school when I cried after getting a bad test score. “It’s okay, it’s okay. Everything will be alright.” The person in his arms mumbled, her voice muffled and nasal, “It won’t be alright. It’s already too late.” I knew I shouldn’t be so intimate with Julian in public, especially after just telling him yesterday not to overstep. But I desperately needed a anchor right now. Julian, having just finished a business meeting, had passed by and noticed my familiar car parked. He got out and saw me crouching on the ground. When I buried myself in his arms, a flicker of joy ignited in his chest, but seeing me cry, he felt a rare surge of anger. He had liked me for a long time, but it seemed everyone was set against his affection. Leo’s appearance, the estrangement of our families, and then *that incident* – he felt he had no face to see me. Studying abroad, he witnessed more of the world. His desire for power grew daily, and his past affection for me morphed into a twisted form of love. Julian was no longer afraid; he confronted his own desires. Julian tirelessly comforted me, over and over. Then, he noticed Leo’s icy glare from not too far away. A faint curve appeared at the corner of Julian’s lips, and he lowered his head to kiss my forehead. I was startled by his action, instantly regaining my composure and pulling away. Julian reined in his emotions. “My apologies. I overstepped.” Since I was the one who practically threw myself into his arms, I found myself speechless. I simply muttered, “I have to go,” and got into my car. **Chapter 7** The next time I saw Leo was through photos someone sent me. An anonymous text message, with intimate photos attached. Leo was asleep, holding the woman in his arms tightly. She was pretty and delicate. The photos burned my eyes and my heart. Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe. I bent over, dry-heaving. When I finally snapped back to reality, I was already in my car, my mind racing to find someone to talk to… but what would I even say? In the split second I was lost in thought, a powerful impact came from the right. Before the car window shattered, I remember thinking how foolish I was. I woke up in a hospital, my head throbbing, feeling disoriented. A dull ache in my abdomen spread throughout my entire body. A nurse called the doctor, who stood beside my bed, just about to speak when two people burst into the room. Leo looked at me, his eyes filled with anguish. Chloe stood outside the door, silent. The doctor, who had seen countless absurd situations, internally scoffed but maintained her professional demeanor. Her eyes, behind her glasses, glinted coldly. “Fortunately, the car accident didn’t cause any severe injuries. However, Ms. Harper, you are very weak after your miscarriage and need to rest and recover properly.” The moment she said this, everyone in the room froze, including Julian, who had just arrived. I touched my aching abdomen, deflating. “I… was pregnant?” I whispered. Recalling my unexplained mood swings before, everything suddenly made sense. Light streamed through the window and illuminated the bed, yet it seemed to stop beside me, casting me in shadow. A light breeze carried a hint of chill; the cold autumn in North America was coming. I sat on the hospital bed, my eyes vacant. The abdominal pain spread throughout my body. I hugged my stomach, curling into a ball, my eyes frighteningly red, tears streaming down my face unconsciously. Leo approached the bed, his hand trembling as he pulled me into his arms. After so many days, this was a rare moment of tenderness, yet I felt no warmth at all. The doctor said a few comforting pleasantries, then rushed off to the next room. Leo’s eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse. “…We can still have children.” In that moment, his words were sincere, a promise from the depths of his heart. I couldn’t remember the last time Leo had been so gentle and comforting. Chloe walked forward and sat on the edge of the bed, consoling me. “The important thing is to recover your health.” Catching Chloe’s gaze and the faint, intimate red mark on her neck, I snapped out of my daze. I remembered losing my mind after seeing that photo. I forcefully struggled out of Leo’s embrace, backing away from both of them. I had always felt Leo’s perfunctory attitude, but the feelings that had accumulated over time were rooted deep in my flesh and blood. The love letter was just the fuse. Before that, I had been enduring, and my feelings for Leo were cooling. Yet, whenever I remembered the young Leo, I couldn’t bear to let go. In this relationship, which I now wondered if it was one-sided, I had truly loved well. But now, knowing I had lost our child, I couldn’t distinguish if this feeling was still love, or just a heavy sunk cost from the past. At this moment, I truly, genuinely hated Leo. I tried hard not to appear too pathetic, but my body trembled uncontrollably. I clutched my chest, hatred bursting from my eyes. When Leo met my gaze, he was stunned by the hatred and disgust in my eyes. It felt as if a sudden arrow had pierced his heart, bleeding profusely. Before today, he thought he only felt a sense of marital responsibility towards me. But when he heard about my car accident, he was terrified. In that moment, he realized the world would be gray without me. Seeing that I was okay, his senses returned, like his heart started beating again. Chloe, standing nearby, felt a complex mix of emotions. She had witnessed Leo almost losing his mind over someone else, speeding recklessly to the hospital after hearing the news, nearly causing a second accident that day. The man who, in high school, had eyes only for her, was now anxious and worried for another woman. For reasons she couldn’t quite grasp, she had followed him. She seized the opportunity to speak, successfully infuriating me, who had just lost a child, creating a rift between Leo and me. But she felt no joy. Now, I hated Leo as Chloe had wished. Every word I uttered was a sharp knife aimed at him. “You two get out, you pathetic couple! Get out! Why are you pretending, Leo? You must be thrilled, aren’t you? The baby’s gone, your white moonlight is back. What a joyous occasion!” “I shouldn’t have gone to find you! Why? Why do I always lose everything?! Why, why, why… I hate you! I hate all of you, everyone…!” My face, pale as paper from the miscarriage, was flushed crimson from extreme emotion. My hair was disheveled, and tears stained my beautiful face, making me look frail and chaotic, with a broken kind of beauty. I grabbed the water glass beside me and threw it at Leo. He didn’t dodge. The blood dripping from his forehead brought me back to my senses. My body couldn’t handle any more outburst. I deflated, returning to my usual composure. After a long silence, I slowly spoke: “Now that the baby is gone, and I’m thoroughly fed up with you, let’s get a divorce.” **Chapter 8** Leo’s pupils contracted. He had been prepared for me to yell at him, but hearing “divorce” still made him blurt out, “No! I don’t agree.”
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