Chapter 3

Alex’s face went from pale to ash gray.

He probably didn't expect me to remember such a detail so clearly.

"It was another professor," he stammered, still trying to fight it.

"Which one? What’s his name? What year did he pass away? I’ll go to your university’s archives tomorrow to check."

He fell completely silent. The room became dead quiet.

I looked at him. This was the man I had loved for five years, the man I had given my youth and savings to. In this moment, I felt nothing but disgust.

"Alex." I took a deep breath, forcing down the nausea rising in my throat.

"I am asking you one last time. Who is Aurora?"

He remained silent for a long time, until the sunlight outside shifted its angle.

Finally, he looked up, his eyes filled with exhaustion and silent pleading.

"Christy, just don't ask, okay?" he whispered, his voice cracking.

"I'm begging you. Just blame me. But there is really nothing romantic between us."

"I'll find a way to cancel that policy."

"Cancel it?" I laughed. "Five years. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. And you say you’ll just 'cancel' it?"

"Alex, that was our family's money! That was the startup capital I saved by pinching pennies! That was Betty’s college fund!"

My voice rose uncontrollably, my chest heaving.

He was startled by my reaction. His lips trembled. "Christy, don't be mad. I'll pay you back..."

"With what?" I glared at him.

"Your company just got on track. Every single penny needs to be reinvested into projects. Tell me, where are you getting the money to pay me back?"

He had no answer.

Looking at his pathetic, guilty face, the last shred of warmth in my heart died.

I turned around and grabbed my bag.

"Where are you going?" he asked frantically.

"Home." I didn't look back. "Have a good recovery, Mr. Wilson."

I spat out "Mr. Wilson" coldly.

As I walked out of the hospital lobby, the bright sunlight stung my eyes.

I stood by the curb and called my best friend, Charlotte.

Charlotte was a fierce, sharp-witted corporate lawyer, and the only person I trusted completely.

The moment she picked up, her voice came through: "Hey Christy, what's wrong? You sound off."

"Charlotte." My voice shook, but I forced myself to stay steady. "Can you help me dig into someone?"

"Who?"

"Aurora." Saying the name felt like swallowing a needle.

"Female. That's her name. I don't know anything else."

The line went silent for a few seconds.

"Is this about Alex?" Charlotte asked sharply.

"Yes."

"Alright." She didn't press further. "Give me half a day. Where are you now? Don't be alone."

"I'm outside the hospital, about to head home."

"Okay. I'll handle my meetings and come find you."

"Remember, until we have all the facts, do not make a move. Don't pick a fight with him."

"I know."

After hanging up, I took an Uber home.

The house was empty. Without Betty's laughter, it felt cold and hollow.

I walked into our bedroom and opened the closet.

The left side was mine—only a few clothes hung there. Mostly cotton tees and jeans. The most expensive piece was a trench coat I bought three years ago.

The right side was Alex’s—expensive suits, designer shirts, silk ties, all organized and perfectly pressed.

Every single piece cost a fortune.

He had told me that in business, appearance was everything.

I had believed him.

I thought him dressing sharp was for our family, for our future.

How pathetic of me.

I walked into the study and booted up his laptop.

The password was Betty's birthday.

I used to be deeply moved by this detail, thinking he kept us close to his heart. Now, it just felt like a mockery.

I searched the name "Aurora."

Soon, an account popped up on Instagram.

The profile picture was a woman's silhouette. She had long, flowing hair and stood in a field of flowers, looking elegant and artistic.

Her handle was simply "Aurora."

Her bio read: Artist. Idealist.

I clicked in.

Her feed was filled with an aesthetic lifestyle—art exhibitions, luxury travels, fine dining, fresh flowers. Every photo looked like a movie still.

She was living the life I had once dreamed of, the life I had sacrificed to support Alex.