Chapter 2

I let out a dry chuckle. "Chloe, don't forget you have a job."

On screen, Chloe’s shoulders slumped, and she looked down guiltily.

Years ago, her parents died in a tragic car accident, and her uncles seized their family business.

In order to stay by Julian's side back then, she had financed his tuition to study abroad.

But when Julian saw that she was broke and helpless, he swindled her out of the remaining inheritance her parents had left her and abandoned her.

She was left so destitute she couldn't even afford to fly back to bury her parents.

At her absolute lowest point, I gave up my chance to study art in Europe to stay and help her.

I even had a massive blowout with my parents over it.

She wanted to continue her medical studies.

To cover her astronomical tuition and living expenses abroad, I worked day and night, drinking myself to severe stomach ulcers at corporate dinners, but it still wasn't enough.

For her sake, I abandoned my dream of becoming a painter.

I swallowed my pride, bowed my head to my parents, and agreed to take over the family business in exchange for them fully funding her medical school abroad.

While she studied abroad, I worked myself to the bone.

I used every resource I had to reclaim her family's company and secure her shares, ensuring she would never have to worry about money again.

After we got married, I leveraged my family's network to bring high-end clients to her company.

Because I loved her, I was willing to sacrifice everything.

She hated Julian, so I quietly bought out and dismantled the startup Julian had built using her stolen money.

I couldn't bear to let the woman I loved get her hands dirty with such filth.

Her hands were meant to save lives, not seek revenge.

But right when we were about to land the final blow on Julian's company, she backed out.

Because Julian crawled back to her, threatening to end his life.

"Chloe, I'm so sorry. I was blind and foolish. Loan sharks set me up and forced me into a gambling debt. They said if I didn't pay, they'd kidnap you.

"I was terrified they'd hurt you, so I took the money and fled as far away as possible to draw their attention.”

“They even broke my toes trying to torture your location out of me! I only built this company so that one day, when I found you, I could return everything to you."

Julian wept, desperately bringing up their past.

"I love you, Chloe. If there is a next life, let me make it up to you."

Then, he plunged a knife into his own shoulder without hesitation.

The flood of old memories, combined with the sight of his bleeding wound, wiped away all of Chloe's hatred instantly.

Julian smiled weakly at her. "I failed you in this life. I only hope we can be together in the next."

Chloe wept uncontrollably, completely moved.

Julian's self-inflicted wound was carefully calculated—it was just a superficial flesh wound.

But to Chloe, it changed everything.

Because she still loved him, she would make up any excuse in her mind to justify his pathetic lies.

That night, I sat alone at the dining table, staring at a birthday cake, waiting from dusk until the dead of night.

I called her repeatedly, but got nothing but voicemail.

Just the day before, we had promised to have a nice dinner to celebrate my birthday.

Terrified that something had happened to her, I threw myself into my car and drove to her hospital.

Halfway there, my phone finally rang.

Hearing her choked-up voice, I panicked so badly I almost swerved into the guardrail. "What happened? Where are you? I'll come right now!"

On the other end, her voice was hurried, accompanied by a low male sigh in the background. "Ethan, I have to cover shifts for a colleague for a few days. I'll be staying at the hospital."

"Do you want me to bring you some fresh clothes?"

Chloe rejected immediately. "No, it's fine. I'll come home once I'm done."

Over the next few days, Chloe never picked up my calls again.

She only sent a brief text hours later, telling me not to worry and to take care of myself.

She was my wife. How could I not worry?

I was worried she’d forget to eat because of her hectic schedule.

I spent the entire morning slow-cooking her favorite beef stew and packing a warm meal, wanting to surprise her.

But when I pulled up to the hospital, I saw her helping Julian into a cab.

I followed them. They pulled up to the townhouse I had bought for her—a place just ten minutes from the hospital so she could rest during long shifts.

I had bought it to make her life easier. Now, it had become her private love nest for cheating on me.

Feeling my heart turn to ash, I tossed the warm food container straight into a trash can.

I kept brainwashing myself, telling myself not to overthink it. They were just friends.

Chloe was just confused. If I gave her some time, she would surely realize who actually cherished her.

But I never imagined my endless compromises would lead to this.

I stared at Chloe through the screen as she put on her usual victim act. "Chloe, you really disappoint me."

Chloe looked up in panic. "Ethan, I'll come over right away, I—"

Beside her, Julian suddenly let out a dramatic groan.

Chloe's attention snapped back to him instantly. "Oh my god, did your stitches tear? There's so much blood. I need to suture this right now."

The phone rustled as Chloe ran off to grab a medical kit.

Julian picked up the phone, gave me a smug wave, and sneered, "All it takes is one word from me, and Chloe will drop you instantly. You’ll always lose to me, Ethan."

I hung up without an expression. My fresh surgical wound seemed to burn with a sharper pain.