Chapter 2

“I took it off.” “This was made by my own hands, a symbol of our love. Why did you take it off?” I brushed it off: “I've gained weight recently, and it doesn't fit anymore.” Emmanuel’s expression softened slightly, and he smiled again: “Then I’ll take it to the jewelry store to have the size adjusted another day.” “We’ll see.” “By the way, what’s that on the table?” Emmanuel pointed to the exquisite jewelry box on the table, looking surprised: “Erin, is this a gift for me?” I nodded: “Yes.” Inside was a small silver ingot. I had melted down their wedding rings and placed them inside. Emmanuel was delighted: “What day is today? Erin prepared a gift for me on her own?” My heart sank even further. “Today... is our wedding anniversary.” Emmanuel's expression turned grim. He tried to appease me: “I'm sorry, Erin. I've been really busy with work lately. Why don't we go out to eat tonight? I'll make a reservation right now...” “No, I've already eaten.” “Then let me take you out to see the night view? Go for a walk by the river?” “I'm tired. I want to sleep.” Emmanuel wrapped his arms around my waist from behind in a conciliatory manner: “Come on, Erin. We haven’t gone for a walk together in a long time. I’ve been feeling lately that you’ve been a bit distant toward me. If this continues, I’ll start to doubt whether my Erin has changed her heart.” Have I changed my heart? It’s clearly you who has someone else on your mind. It’s your heart that left me first. And this time, I will also take back my heart forever, along with myself, everything. On the way out, Emmanuel drove the car, chatting with her about recent events all the way. I sat in the passenger seat, turning my head to look out the window, ignoring everything. Because when I was buckling my seatbelt, I reached through the gap in the passenger seat and felt a woman's stocking. It was clearly worn. Then I put it back. Acting as if nothing had happened. Since I had already decided to leave, I didn't want to argue with him anymore. Besides hearing some useless lies, I couldn't get anything else. If I couldn't get it, I didn't want it. When we arrived at the river, Emmanuel got out of the car first and opened the door for me: “Erin, we're here.” I didn't really want to come, but this riverbank was a place we often visited when we first started dating. Let it begin here, and let it end here. “Wow, isn’t that Boss Roberts from today’s TV show? The one who made his own wedding ring by hand!” “I remember, I remember. What a perfect gentleman!” “He even shielded the car roof for his wife, afraid she’d hit her head getting out. So thoughtful!” Just as they were talking, Emmanuel’s phone rang. He apologized, “Sorry, Erin, wait here for a moment. It’s work-related. I’ll take the call and be right back.” “Go ahead.” “Stay here and wait for me. Don’t wander off.” There was another round of gasps from the crowd. “Mr. Emmanuel treats his wife like a daughter. He’s afraid she’ll get lost.” “That's too much pampering!” Only I stood there with a blank expression, gazing at the shimmering river surface in the night. When Emmanuel saw the caller ID, the smile on his lips couldn't be suppressed. It was a mix of affection, sweetness, and a touch of ill. How could it be work? But I didn't bother to uncover his real skin. The river was a bit cold, so I went back to the car to wait. On the car’s screen, Emmanuel’s social media account was still logged in, connected to his phone. The chat history was still updating one message at a time. The person on the other end was named 【Little Greedy Cat Janet】. Emmanuel: Miss me? Little Greedy Cat Janet: The nights you’re not here feel a bit empty. Emmanuel: Little naughty cat, wasn’t seven times sex today enough? Little Greedy Cat Janet: Not enough, big brother, I want more. Emmanuel: Alright, tomorrow at work, in the office, I’ll satisfy you. Little Greedy Cat Janet: Hehehe, then I’ll wear black stockings to work tomorrow. The subsequent chat logs were even more explicit. They were filled with vulgar language and flirtatious remarks. I felt a chill run through my body and shut off the screen. I was trembling, unsure whether from the cold or anger, my nails digging deeply into my flesh. Emmanuel returned quickly, probably within fifteen minutes. When he sat back in the car, he placed his hand over his heart and sighed deeply: “After hanging up the phone, I turned around and didn't see you. It scared me to death. Thankfully, you're okay.” I no longer wanted to look at his hypocritical face and kept my head down, staring at my hands. “It's cold outside, so let's go back to the car.” “Okay, wherever you want to be.” I suddenly looked up. After reading their chat history, this sentence gave me another layer of understanding. Wherever you want to be. The stockings in the gap of the passenger seat... Could it be that they had also done it in the passenger seat? I suddenly felt sick and opened the car door to vomit.