Chapter 2

Lily's POV

When I pushed open the villa door, I still carried the biting chill of the snowy mountains.

I had just finished a grueling two-week climb and rushed home filled with joy to make it back for our third wedding anniversary.

The backpack straps dug into my shoulders painfully, but I touched the rare glacier stone I'd found at 23,000 feet in my pocket and still felt happy.

Because Ethan once said that was the view he most wanted to see.

But when I expectantly pushed open the equipment room on the second floor that belonged exclusively to me, the scene before me left me completely stunned.

The walls that had been covered with ice axes, carabiners, and climbing ropes were painted a glaring soft pink.

All the mountaineering equipment I treasured, the gear that had accompanied me through life-and-death situations, had completely vanished.

In their place stood an expensive white grand piano and delicate sheet music scattered across the floor.

"Who touched my things?"

My whole body trembled.

Footsteps sounded behind me.

Ethan wore a well-tailored lounging outfit, his gold-rimmed glasses framing deep eyes that now held an unfamiliar coldness.

Beside him stood a woman in a white silk dress with a delicate frame.

The woman shrank behind Ethan like a frightened rabbit.

"I had someone take them away."

Ethan's voice held no emotion, direct and decisive.

"Melody's hands were injured. She needs a quiet, sunny room to practice piano. Your junk was just gathering dust there anyway. I had someone throw it all in the basement."

Junk?

I was thunderstruck.

Among that equipment was the rare vintage ice axe my late father left behind, and the first safety lock Ethan gave me when we first met!

"Ethan, are you insane? That's my equipment room! What right do you have to clear out my room for her?"

I stared at this man I'd loved for five years.

Melody gently tugged at Ethan's sleeve. Her eyes instantly filled with tears, her voice so fragile it seemed the slightest breeze could scatter it.

"Ethan, I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I didn't know that was Miss Hayes's room. I'll move out right now. Please don't fight with her because of me..."

"Don't move."

Ethan turned and grasped Melody's hand, the gesture gentle as if handling a priceless treasure.

When he looked back at me, his gaze was cold as ice.

"Lily, stop making a scene. Melody has severe PTSD. She can't handle stress. You're never home anyway, gone for weeks at a time. That room was just sitting empty."

He paused, his tone calm yet cruel as he passed judgment.

"Also, I've fallen for Melody. If I'd met her earlier, I wouldn't have married you."

I staggered back a step, my back hitting the door frame hard as my heart ached until I could barely breathe.

Fallen for her?

Then what am I?

Five years ago on that mountain during the avalanche, he dug me out of the snow with his bare hands until they were a bloody mess, nearly requiring amputation.

He held my hand in the hospital bed and swore he'd only ever want me, that he'd wait at the base of every mountain for me to come home.

But now he held another woman's hand and dismissed what I loved as "junk."

"Say that again?"

My whole body shook.

Ethan frowned slightly, seeming annoyed by my loss of control.

"I said it clearly enough. But don't worry, I promised to take care of you for life, so I won't divorce you. The position of Mrs. Clarke is still yours. Just don't provoke Melody. She's too fragile. She can't handle your rough treatment."

Fragile? Rough?

I watched him protect Melody and found it utterly absurd.

I didn't scream or cry. The extreme pain lodged in my throat, unable to come out or go down.

I gritted my teeth hard, turned, and rushed to the basement, searching through the dark, damp corners for the equipment that had been thrown away like garbage.

Ethan, so even the love you traded your life for only has a three-year shelf life.