Chapter 2

Inside the apartment, Chloe held Carter's face, gently dabbing ointment onto his cheek as if terrified of hurting him.

"Carter, is she always this aggressive? Resorting to violence over every little thing... She really scared me just now."

"I don't mind her hating me. After all, I'm the one who loves you, so it's natural she dislikes me."

"But you didn't do anything wrong! How could she treat you like that?"

"You're such an amazing man. What gives her the right to hit you?"

"You guys aren't even married yet, and she's already walking all over you. If I hadn't come over, I never would've known you were suffering like this. If your mom knew, her heart would break."

Basking in Chloe's tender care, Carter winced and groaned.

"Avery... she didn't use to be like this. Maybe the stress from work after graduating changed her."

"Don't say things like that anymore. If Avery hears, she'll start another fight with me."

Chloe rolled her eyes at him.

"Carter, stop defending her! Did she look like she respected you at all when she slapped you today?"

"No wonder your mom never really liked her. If my future son brought home such an overbearing girlfriend, I wouldn't like her either."

"She's bossy, and your parents don't approve of her. Why don't you just break up and find someone better?"

Carter fell silent for a moment before answering in a raspy voice, "I can't. We've been together for so many years. You can't just throw that away."

"Besides, nobody's perfect. Avery is gorgeous, socially poised, and brilliant at her job. Most importantly, she loves me. Within my realistic options, she's the absolute best choice."

Carter listed all the practical perks of marrying me, which made Chloe panic.

"Carter, I love you too! And our families are on the same level! We grew up together. Isn't it obvious that I'm the perfect match for you?"

With that, she leaned in to kiss him, but Carter pulled back.

They ended up playfully wrestling and teasing each other on the couch.

I had only walked back to grab the handbag I forgot on the console, but I never expected to witness something so utterly repulsive.

They were so engrossed in their little heart-to-heart that they hadn't even heard the front door click open.

Watching their sickening intimacy, my heart sank to rock bottom.

I suddenly remembered when we first started dating in college. One day, a sudden downpour caught us after class without an umbrella.

Carter had sprinted through the pouring rain to a convenience store just to buy one, ran back to my lecture hall, and walked me all the way to my dorm.

By the time we got there, Carter was soaked to the bone, while only the cuffs of my jeans had caught a few stray drops.

That boy who cherished and protected me with his whole heart had died in the river of time. In his place stood this calculating stranger who weighed his options like business transactions.

Maybe it was truly time to rethink this relationship.

I drew in a sharp breath, forced back my tears, and quietly turned to walk out of that house for good.