Chapter 2

I tried to look away from them, but my soul was tethered to her. I was forced to watch every single second of their intimacy.

Julian kissed her neck, his hands sliding down her back.

Clara didn't pull away. Instead, she arched into his touch, enjoying it.

In my memory, she had never been like this. In our daily life, she was lazy and passive. I was always the one taking care of her.

Being forced to watch them play their little games made my heart grow cold, piece by piece.

But when Julian tried to pull her shirt off, Clara finally stopped him.

"No, Julian. I'm still Ethan's wife."

Julian frowned. A flash of annoyance crossed his face, but he quickly masked it with a look of deep, tragic devotion.

"You are the only woman I’ve ever loved, Clare. For you, I’d give up everything—even my own family. But I don't want to ruin your life. Loving you but not being able to have you... that is my ultimate torture."

"Oh, Julian... me too. I love you more than anything. Only when I’m with you do I feel alive."

Their sweet talk felt like a blade scraping against my soul. Suddenly, old memories flashed before my eyes.

Years ago, Julian had tried to ask Clara’s parents for her hand. But her family despised him because he was broke and had no stable job. They forced them apart and arranged blind dates for Clara instead.

During that time, Clara fell into a deep depression. I was the one who stayed by her side, carefully nursing her back to health, giving her all my love and patience.

It was during those dark days that Clara became dependent on me. I thought those were our best times. I thought we were each other’s forever.

So, I proposed. She said yes.

I gave her everything I had. When she wanted to start her own company, I emptied my savings for her. When she needed connections to break into the market, I used my family's influence to pave the way.

Within six months, her business was booming.

I thought she would love me more now that our life was perfect.

But her success only brought Julian back. After just one meeting with him, Clara grew colder and colder to me.

She stopped coming home, using work as an excuse for everything.

No matter how much I gave, she didn't care. Now I finally understood. I was just Julian’s temporary placeholder.

Julian was the only one she ever truly wanted.