Chapter 2

When the morning sun filtered through the blinds, Sienna was still fast asleep.

I carefully studied her bare face, my gaze drifting lower and lower until it rested on her exposed collarbone.

The weather was still chilly. I reached out to pull the blanket over her, but on a sudden, twisted impulse, I gently tugged her collar down instead.

A fading, dark purple hickey was stamped right there on her skin.

I wasn't a teenager. I knew exactly what that mark meant.

A wave of intense nausea hit me. I rushed out of bed and ran to the bathroom, dry-heaving over the toilet.

This was the wife I had promised to cherish for the rest of my life.

For the past six months, Sienna had told me she wasn't feeling well and hadn't let me touch her once.

Every night when I wanted to hold her close, she would push me away.

I had respected her. I loved her so much that I couldn't bear to let her experience a single second of discomfort.

Now, looking back, my respect was just a massive, hilarious joke.

She acted like a proud queen in front of me, yet she was begging like a dog in another man's bed.

So what was I?

Just a convenient idiot?

"Babe, what's wrong?"

While I was staring blankly into the toilet bowl, Sienna stood at the bathroom door, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

I shook my head, forcing a smile as I walked past her.

"Nothing. Don't forget about your college alumni hangout tonight."

"Oh! If you hadn't mentioned it, I completely would've forgotten. I need to get dolled up."

Sienna instantly perked up, practically skipping over to her closet to pick out an outfit.

In the past, I would always sit on the edge of the bed, watching her try on dress after dress with adoring eyes, only for her to leave me alone at home while she went out.

But this time, looking at her excited silhouette, I suddenly asked:

"Can I come with you tonight?"

Sienna’s body stiffened. She clearly didn't expect me to make such a request.

After all, in our three years of marriage, I had never once asked to meet her friends, let alone attend her college reunions.

In the five years we had been together and the three years we had been married, I was always the one she kept hidden. The one she was too ashamed to show off.

She bit her lip, looking at me with a conflicted expression.

"Babe... it's just a class reunion. No plus-ones are allowed..."

I nodded calmly.

"Okay."

Just as I was about to turn and leave the room, Sienna rushed over, wrapped her arms around my waist, and said coaxingly, "I promise I'll introduce you to my friends next time, okay?"

After a long pause, I replied with a raspy voice:

"Okay."