Chapter 2

• "If you don't come to see me one last time, I will regret it for the rest of my life..."
• As a doctor, I didn't even need to look at her face to hear that she was faking it.
• I could even imagine the fake expression she was putting on right now.
• Rage burned through me as I snapped, "If you're sick, go to the hospital! Why call and bother others!"
• "Shut up!"
• Liam quickly covered the receiver, yelling at me.
• Chloe, on the other hand, was getting more and more out of line, eventually bursting into tears.
• "Forget it, since Evelyn said that, I'll..."
• "Don't listen to her nonsense, I know how strong the medicine is. If I don't help you, you won't be able to make it through! Don't do anything stupid! I'll be right there!"
• Liam urgently spoke into the phone, his face full of disappointment towards me.
• I looked out the window, desperately trying to hold back the tears.
• Five years of dating, two years of marriage, all overshadowed by a so-called best friend.
• I didn't know how to pay the price for my own seven years of foolishness.
• "You go."
• I quietly wiped away the tears, speaking without any emotional fluctuations.
• A hint of joy suddenly appeared on Liam's face, and he excitedly kissed me, "I knew my wife would always be caring and compassionate!"
• "When I come back, I'll make it up to you for sure!"
• The door slammed shut, shattering the last trace of crumbling hope.
• I stood there in that position, motionless for a long time, before slowly raising my hand and touching my cheek.
• It still seemed to retain the warmth of his kiss, but my heart was already a frozen wasteland.
• A platonic marriage? Severe psychological issues?
• Such a ridiculous and clumsy lie, and I... actually believed it for two whole years.
• For two years, I convinced myself time and time again to understand him, to give him time, even doubting if I wasn't attractive enough for him.
• Looking back now, the way I delicately protected his ego, I was nothing but a complete clown.
• Just as I was getting my emotions in order, the phone rang like a death knell.
• The name on the screen was one of Liam's best friends.
• I hesitated for a second, then pressed the answer button.
• "Evelyn!"
• Taylor, as my husband's good friend, never showed me the respect I deserved.
• Perhaps, he didn't even think much of me.
• "What's going on between you and Liam? How come you're getting a divorce? Not to be rude, but you really need to be more mature about this."
• Before I could respond, another person chimed in.
• "Evelyn, Liam told us everything. Chloe was in serious danger that night, and Liam was just trying to save her! Are you really going to be so jealous? We've been brothers for so many years, can't you see that we couldn't just stand by and watch Chloe get hurt?"
• They didn't even give me a chance to reply, just venting their dissatisfaction with me.
• And I couldn't help but find it all incredibly ironic.
• Then, the notification sound from Instagram started going off like crazy.
• Messages from the group chat kept popping up one after another.
• "Evelyn, calm down. Liam's heart still belongs to you."
• "Chloe is like a little sister to us. Isn't it normal for Liam to help her?"
• Finally, there was a voice message from Chloe.
• I played it, her carefree voice ringing clear in the room.
• "Evelyn... I'm really sorry, it's all my fault... Don't be mad at him, blame me instead. You can even slap me a few times to let off steam, I promise not to complain!"
• Listening to her fake generosity made my stomach churn.
• All the explanations and accusations seemed feeble and meaningless at this moment. They were a tight-knit circle, and I was always an outsider.
• The next day, I woke up and checked my phone, only to see Chloe's latest Instagram post.
• In the photo, Chloe was wearing a loose lace nightgown, with numerous ambiguous marks on her neck and a pair of hands around her waist.
• Caption: "Thanks to my brothers for helping me all night, I'm back to normal now."
• The words hinted at how wild their night had been.
• The comments section was filled with teasing remarks, as if it had become their daily routine.
• I silently liked the post and then logged out.
• Feeling drained, I couldn't tell if it was from this failed relationship or my own naivety.
• It was time to put an end to this disgusting relationship.