Chapter 4

I dried my face, touched up my makeup, and replaced the vulnerability in my eyes with cold, calculated steel.

When I walked back, Aurora was on her phone, leaving a sweet voice message.

"Chris, what do you want for dinner tonight?"

"I met an amazing lady today. She actually let me have her custom wedding gown!"

"Can I invite her over to our place for dinner tonight?"

I walked up just in time to hear this.

Have dinner at their place?

At the twenty-million-dollar penthouse I paid for in full, where I hadn't even spent a single night?

A cold smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. I was just wondering how to confront this trash. She was handing me the opportunity on a silver platter.

"Sure," I said smoothly as I sat down, offering a warm smile.

"Actually, my hotel reservation had some issues, and I don't have a place to stay tonight."

"I hope I won't be intruding?"

"No way!" Aurora grabbed my hand excitedly.

"It’s an honor to have you!"

"Christopher is always busy with work, and I get so bored alone at home."

"Isn't your boyfriend in New York too? Why don't you call him to join us?"

I lowered my gaze to hide the mockery in my eyes.

"No need. He’s... 'working late.'"

I put extra emphasis on "working late."

Over the past seven years, Christopher had used this excuse to brush me off countless times.

"Ah, that’s too bad. Long-distance is so hard. You have to be understanding."

Aurora comforted me like an experienced wife, then happily pulled me along. "Let’s go. We can take my car!"

In the parking garage, a brand-new, metallic pink Porsche Panamera pulled up in front of us.

My pupils dilated when I saw the car.

This was the gift I bought Christopher for his thirtieth birthday last year.

Because he said people in investment banking looked down on you if you didn't drive a good car, I ordered the top-tier trim, which cost me nearly three hundred thousand dollars.

But now, the car was wrapped in hot pink, serving as Aurora’s ride.

"Pretty, right?" Aurora tapped the car door, beaming.

"It’s a pregnancy gift from Christopher!"

"He said pink suits me perfectly. Get in, what are you waiting for?"

I took a deep breath, fighting the urge to key the car, and climbed into the passenger seat.

The interior smelled of sweet, cloying perfume. A photo of the two of them hung from the rearview mirror. The back seat was piled high with luxury shopping bags.

Every single detail in this car felt like a slap to my face.

As we drove out, Aurora’s phone rang.

It was a FaceTime call from Christopher.

Aurora mounted her phone on the dashboard and answered it.

On the screen, the face I knew down to the bone appeared.

Christopher was wearing the Armani custom shirt I bought him, his tie slightly loosened, his brow furrowed in his classic "busy executive" look.

But the moment he saw Aurora, his expression softened instantly. His eyes filled with warmth, even a hint of subservience.

"Hey babe. Did the baby behave today? Are you tired from trying on dresses?"

His deep, smooth voice was once my favorite sound.

Now, it just made me sick.

"Not tired at all! I met an amazing person who helped me today!" Aurora chirped.

"Chris, when are you getting off work?"

"I invited her over for dinner. Hurry home and cook for us!"

Christopher on the screen paused, then smiled dotingly. "You always make decisions on a whim."

"Fine, I’ll head back now. What do you want to eat? I’ll stop by the grocery store."

"I want steak!"

"Sure, whatever you want. Wait for me at home."

Christopher blew a kiss to the camera and hung up.

Sitting in the passenger seat, I was out of the camera's angle, so Christopher didn't see me.

But I saw his loving, attentive face clearly.

For seven years, he had never spoken to me in that tone.

He was always cold, always saying, "I’m busy," "Don't start," or "Be mature."

I thought he was just naturally distant and bad with words.

It turned out he knew exactly how to love someone. He just didn't love me.

He gave all his warmth, patience, and emotional care to another woman.

And left the coldness, excuses, and financial demands for me.

"Isn't my husband literally the best?" Aurora turned to me, smiling.

I stared at the traffic ahead, my lips curling into a cold line.

"Yeah. He’s quite the 'husband.'"