Chapter 4

"But I heard Jenny has been living in your villa all along. Aren't you two already married? I won't let my daughter be a mistress."

Facing Eve's mother's interrogation, Charlie raised his palm in oath. "Jenny and I have no relationship whatsoever. I only let her live at my place out of pity, to help me clean."

"If Eve doesn't like it, I'll make her move out immediately."

The video stopped abruptly. The wedding I'd begged for in vain, he could so easily give to someone else.

Six years of secret marriage, only to be told we had no relationship at all.

Charlie, you gave up on our relationship, so I don't want you anymore either.

I dialed a number. "I agree to what you asked."

The next day, Charlie brought breakfast, his expression the same as last night's.

"Jenny, I stood in line to buy you breakfast. Mango smoothie and a sandwich. Come eat."

I'm allergic to mangoes, and Eve's favorite is mango smoothies.

Later, when she found out about my allergy, she deliberately put mango in my food. I ate it without noticing, then started having an allergic reaction. My whole body broke out in rashes, and my throat swelled so I couldn't breathe.

Eve deliberately told Dad I'd eaten it out of greed. Dad was so angry he whipped me before finally sending me to the hospital.

After Charlie and I got together, for my sake, he stopped eating mangoes too. There had never been a single mango in the house.

Now he'd forgotten. I knocked the breakfast from his hands.

Charlie suppressed his anger, looking at me impatiently. "Jenny, I already bought you breakfast as an apology. What more do you want from me?"

My expression was emotionless. "I'm allergic to mangoes."

Only then did he react, a flash of guilt in his eyes. "I was in such a rush this morning, I forgot. How about this—tell me what you want to eat and I'll go buy it."

"No need. You only need to remember what Eve likes to eat."

Seeing my sarcastic tone, his expression hardened again.

"You don't need to be so passive-aggressive. Look at everyone in our circle. Who the hell stays faithful to just one woman?"

"I've been married to you for six years, and I've only had one other woman. You should be grateful."

I froze. I never imagined he could say something so shameless.

Caught cheating, he felt no guilt. Instead, he acted like I should understand him.

It was completely absurd.

Did he think that just by giving me the title of wife, I should be grateful and tolerate his infidelity?

Seeing my silence, he assumed I'd compromised.

His attitude softened considerably. "Good girl. You're a smart woman. You know what's best for yourself."

"I already promised Eve's mother yesterday that I'd give Eve a grand wedding. Otherwise, her mother will beat her to death. But don't worry, you're still my legitimate wife."

"I've already cleaned up the West Hill villa. It's quiet there. While I'm preparing the wedding these next few days, move there. Don't worry, I'll visit you often."

He'd finally said it out loud.

I looked straight at him. "No need. I—"

I wanted to say divorce, but he impatiently interrupted me before I could finish. "Alright, who else can you depend on besides me? Stop being so stubborn."

"I'm going to be late for work. Move there yourself."

I shook my head and started packing my things, clearing away all traces of myself from this home.

I took out my phone to order a pickup service for my old belongings, when a new message popped up.