Chapter 2

That one sentence seemed to pierce his heart.

He grabbed my wrist, his eyes red with fury.

"What nonsense are you talking about? I'm trying to help you!"

"Help me?" I almost laughed out loud, and shook his hand off again.

I reached the door and was about to rush out when he called after me.

"Rowena! You're in terrible shape right now. If you go out like this, you'll collapse!"

I pretended not to hear him and walked out anyway.

I reached out and pressed my hand tight against my stomach.

Blood ran out from between my fingers.

The pain was so bad I was going numb.

As I walked out through the hospital gates, raindrops fell on my face.

I remembered the first time I met Luther.

On the day school let out, he took out his umbrella, held it over my head, and bent down to gently wipe my face.

"Rowena? I'm your new driver."

The moment I looked up and saw him, I was lost in him for a long time.

I knelt before my parents and forced them to let me marry Luther.

His family was poor, and I lifted him up into the world.

Not long after we married, his older brother passed away, and his dying wish was that Luther take good care of his wife.

I never imagined Luther would handle everything so completely.

He could even think through something as small as having a child.

His love for Dorothy—I'd always seen it.

I just never knew he would go this far for her.

It was already night by the time I got home.

I pushed open the door and, too weak to stand, fainted.

When I woke, it was a faint rubbing at the corner of my eye that woke me.

I opened my eyes, and Luther was as gentle as ever.

"Did you have a nightmare? Why are you crying?"

Looking at his hypocritical face, I actually felt like laughing.

"Luther, do you think this is fun? What was the point of marrying me?"

He watched me stand up and frowned slightly.

"Rowena, what kind of joke is this? I've told you, I'm only taking care of my brother's wife."

I didn't want to hear him anymore, so I just covered my ears.

The moment I looked up, Dorothy walked in from outside the door.

She looked at me, then dropped to her knees in front of me with a thud, crying uncontrollably.

"Rowena, I'm sorry. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be like this now."

"When I married Robin, I always longed for the day we'd have a child. That's why Luther resorted to this."

Before I could open my mouth, Dorothy suddenly clutched her stomach.

She reached out and, as if it were the most natural thing, took Luther's hand.

I don't know what Dorothy whispered in his ear, but the two of them walked out.

I just shook my head helplessly.

In the middle of the night, heavy panting woke me.

The sound was coming from Dorothy's bedroom.

I pushed open Dorothy's door and saw the two of them lying naked on the bed.

Dorothy reached out, placed her hand on Luther's stomach, and slid it downward.

Her shrill laughter pierced my ears:

"Didn't you say you'd keep her company tonight? How did you end up in my bed again?"

Luther curled his lips and gently brushed the tip of her nose.

"Weren't you the one who said you'd been lonely lately? I came, and now you're not happy about it?"

"Rowena just had surgery. She needs her rest."

Tears slid from the corners of my eyes before I knew it.

Their words from a moment ago still echoed in my ears.

I covered my ears, unwilling to listen anymore.

I turned and ran out.

Late that night, Luther sent me a message, but I never even turned on my phone.

I don't know how long I sat outside the door before dawn finally came.

A voice made me lift my head.

"Rowena, aren't you going to file for divorce yet?"