Chapter 4

The orange juice I had just now was sweet and tangy, but all that remained in my mouth was a bitter aftertaste. Last week, I had made a dinner reservation, hoping to have a meal with Herbert, and yet he told me he was too busy with work and didn't have time. However, with just one word from Vivian, he willingly pushed everything aside to take me out on a "date". For her. Herbert had never once cared about my feelings. His eyes were locked on Vivian holding hands with that man. "Who gave you permission to go on a blind date on your own?" "What's it to you? You haven't had time to go shopping with me since you got married!" The two of them argued, and Vivian burst into tears. "I don't want you controlling me! Who are you to me anyway? Go take care of your precious wife!" Herbert snapped, "As long as you're my good friend, I'll look after you for life! From now on, you're not allowed to see that man again!" Watching Herbert getting jealous over Vivian made my numb heart ache all over again, and I lost my appetite As we stepped out, a large dog suddenly lunged at us. Vivian shrieked in fear, "Herbie! Save me!" At the critical moment, Herbert grabbed a wooden stick and shielded Vivian behind him, pushing me aside instead. I looked back in disbelief. The dog pounced on me, viciously biting my calf. The searing pain overwhelmed me as I screamed for help. Herbert was covering Vivian's eyes. "Don't look! What if it traumatizes you?" A chunk of flesh was torn from my leg. Hearing the gruesome sound of that happening, my face went completely pale before I blacked out from the pain. When I woke up in the hospital, the IV in my hand had already backflowed. A nurse rushed in, flustered. "Where's your husband? You're in such bad shape. Why isn't he taking care of you?" Herbert strolled in slowly, sounding guilty, "Honey, I'm sorry. It was an emergency. I had to protect Vivi, who was the closest to me. I'll make it up to you." I noticed his shirt buttons were misaligned, revealing a hickey beneath the fabric. My heart sank. In the two hours I was unconscious, my husband had gone to be intimate with Vivian again. I took out the divorce papers I had prepared. "If you really want to make it up to me, then sign here." Herbert didn't even glance at it; he signed immediately. "Whatever villa you want to buy, just go ahead..." I looked him straight in the eye. "Aren't you worried that I just made you sign divorce papers?" Herbert raised an eyebrow. "Impossible. You love me too much to ever ask for a divorce." My heart gave a painful jolt. Just then, the hospital TV started playing footage of the "Newcomer of the Year" award from a design competition. The winning artwork on display was my "Rose Maiden", but the signature on it was Vivian's. The announcer of the show said, "This Vivian Cruz is amazing! Even though her family went bankrupt, she's clearly a talented artist. Look, she only entered the contest for the first time and had already won first prize!" My mind went completely blank. "Rose Maiden" had always been kept in my storage room. It was a tribute I painted in memory of my late mother. It was her memorial portrait. The only person who had ever seen it was Herbert. Back then, he comforted me, "Even though your mom's gone, you still have this painting, and you still have me." I turned toward Herbert, who was clearly feeling guilty. "Why?" I asked. My most cherished artwork had been stolen but Herbert brushed it off like it was nothing. "It's just a trophy. You've won so many already. Let Vivi have one. What's the big deal? Don't be so petty."