Chapter 2

The crowd reacted in two different ways.

Those who didn't know us thought I was genuinely offering my blessing to a deeply in-love couple.

The ones who knew us, however, immediately got ready for the drama.

Chloe's face flushed with deep embarrassment, her eyes glaring at me with pure fury.

She dragged me to a quiet corner and hissed, "Ethan! Have you lost your mind? What kind of place is this to throw a jealous tantrum?"

"This is so disrespectful! You're making us a laughingstock in front of everyone! How am I supposed to face these people again?"

"Julian has had it so hard. His parents are both gone, and he has no wife or kids. Who else is going to support him if I don't?"

Before I could even process her words, she bombarded me with accusations. It was almost funny.

"Oh? You're worried about how to face people? I thought when you stood up there playing the daughter-in-law at another man's funeral, you were proudly announcing your affair to the world."

Chloe looked stunned. Usually, I would have apologized and tried to appease her by now, but I didn't.

"Why are you being so nasty? Do you really have zero trust in me? I'm your wife, Ethan!"

In the past, those words would have made me back down and apologize. But now, I felt nothing but cold disappointment.

"You remember you're my wife? What was it you just said up there? You're going to carry on the Fletcher family line?"

"Did you forget we're still married? Is it even legal for you to bear his children right now? Because you distinctly told me you'd never have kids!"

"Today is our seventh anniversary, Chloe. But clearly, you forgot a long time ago."

A flash of guilt and awkwardness crossed her face. Seeing that I was genuinely angry, her demeanor softened. She put on a gentle act and tried to coax me.

Chloe put her hands on my shoulders and smiled. "Oh, Ethan, don't be like that. Of course I didn't forget. Julian is all alone now. If he doesn't have a family around, the relatives start spreading nasty rumors. I was just helping him save face."

"You know Julian and I are ancient history. I only see him as a friend now. It's just a favor."

"Ethan, surely you can understand that, right? Don't you trust me? You wouldn't want a cold-hearted wife who abandons her friends in need, would you?"

I stared at her, amazed by how easily she could twist black into white.

It was ridiculous. I had known her for years, yet I never knew she was this manipulative.

Chloe's patience was wearing thin. When I didn't respond, her smile faltered.

"Alright, that's enough. Don't be so immature! Do you really have to pick a fight today? I'm exhausted."

"Forget about whatever surprise you had. An anniversary is just another day. Honestly, if you could just grow up a little, that would be the best gift you could ever give me!"

She felt like a complete stranger. I couldn't recognize the woman I had spent years of my life with.

Right now, she didn't look like my wife. She looked like a cold-blooded enemy.