Elizabeth looked at Xavier, her face tinged with shyness.

"Let's take it as it comes. Hopefully by the end of the year. I'd like to have a little Xavier too."

Xavier lowered his gaze to the skewers in front of him. He remained silent for a few seconds, then said nothing.

Elizabeth, ever considerate, handed him a skewer. Just then, a man walked into the barbecue shop.

"Your car got scraped by another vehicle. You should come take a look."

Elizabeth frowned, her face darkening.

"I'll go check. Honey, eat first. I'll be back as soon as I sort it out."

She turned to leave but added, "Order whatever you want, but nothing cold. Your stomach isn't good."

Her thoughtful words sent a wave of admiration through the shop.

"Goodness me, Elizabeth is so attentive. She even remembers that her husband's stomach is weak. That's real care."

"Unbelievable. If I were him, I'd be the happiest man alive."

The shop owner, observing Xavier's silence, chuckled.

"Mr. Hampton, you have great fortune. Meeting a woman who's beautiful, gentle, and devoted in this life? That's rare."

Xavier forced a bitter smile.

"Yes. It's rare."

But the truth was, he hadn't met one at all.

Not wanting to continue the conversation, he turned his head toward the window. Outside, Elizabeth followed the man out of the shop. He lowered his head and whispered something to her. She nodded and strode toward a black G-Class parked beside her Bentley.

Xavier narrowed his eyes. The car looked familiar.

At the last gathering, Connor had arrived in a black G-Class, making a grand entrance. The license plate was identical to this one.

Rumor had it Elizabeth had given it to him as a welcome-home gift. It cost three million, give or take. About the same price as the gray Maybach she gifted him today.

Elizabeth was a master at balance.

Ex-boyfriend, current lover; first love, and husband—she kept the scales perfectly even.

Xavier couldn't see what was happening inside the car. He averted his gaze.

His phone rang, and an unfamiliar number flashed on the screen. He hesitated, then answered.

"You've gotten smarter. You knew to have someone call me out."

Elizabeth's voice was coy, dripping with affection.

"Did you ask my assistant for my location? Didn't I tell you, once Xavier falls asleep, I'll come over."

Connor's voice was hoarse, tinged with impatience and something deeper, darker. "It drives me crazy, knowing you're spending your anniversary with him. Thinking about what you two will do later—I can't stand it."

Elizabeth laughed softly. She knew he was jealous. She coaxed him.

"Haven't I been with you every night these past few days? I can't handle him tonight. Besides, didn't you just have me three times two hours ago? Still not enough?"

"I still want more. Send him home. Come to me."

"Hmph, jealous again? Follow me in your car later. We can do it inside."

"You little minx. You're tempting me again."

Then came the unmistakable sound of a deep, lingering kiss.

Xavier's hands trembled as he ended the call.

He stared at the skewers in front of him, suddenly feeling sick. Something coiled inside his heart, pulling tight, making him dizzy, making his whole body ache. He picked up his fork and stabbed at the plate of scallions until they were nothing but a mashed heap.

Half an hour later, Elizabeth returned.

She glanced at the barely touched food, then at Xavier's pale face. Her heart clenched.

"You don't look well. Are you feeling sick? I'll take you to the hospital."

Her concern was urgent. Xavier turned his head away, unwilling to see the false sincerity in her eyes.

"I heard something disgusting. Lost my appetite."

Elizabeth frowned.

"What did you hear?"

"You wouldn't want to know."

His eyes were dark, faintly bloodshot.

Elizabeth couldn't make sense of it. She reached out to hold him, but he dodged her touch.

Without another word, Xavier stood up and strode out of the shop. He got into the first taxi he saw and motioned for the driver to take him home.

"Xavier, wait!"

Elizabeth tried to stop the taxi, but it pulled away. Without hesitation, she got into her Bentley and followed.

Xavier sat in the back seat, watching through the rearview mirror.

The scene was almost comical.

The Bentley tailed the taxi. And behind it, the black G-Class followed close.

After arriving at the villa neighborhood, Xavier stepped out of the taxi.

Elizabeth hurried after him, grabbing his hand.

"Honey, why are you upset? Is it because I left to deal with the car and didn't stay to eat with you?"

Xavier lifted his head and stared at her.

Her delicate face was filled with worry and guilt—everything but fear.

Fear of being caught.

"Mm."

Elizabeth sighed.

"It's my fault. Next time, even if the car is totaled, I'll stay with you."

She paused, then gently took his hand.

"My assistant just called. An important client had a sudden accident and fell from a building. It's critical. I need to go. Will you let me?"

Xavier frowned.

There it was—an expression of helplessness on her face, but beneath it, a flicker of something else. Anticipation. Excitement.

She couldn't wait to leave.

She even went as far as making up a client's life-or-death accident.

Xavier's lips curled slightly. He couldn't even be bothered to expose her.

"Mm."

He walked away, not into the villa, but toward the parking lot.

Through the windshield of the black G-Class, he saw them. Locked in a deep, fervent kiss.

Inside the car, Connor's eyes burned with desire.

"I put on the butler outfit. Got the special spike condoms. After all these years, I know your tastes haven't changed."

Elizabeth's eyes sparkled with unrestrained delight. Her hands roamed under his coat.

"How many times do you plan to take me tonight? Show me the butler outfit first."

Connor grabbed her hands, smirking at her eager expression.

"Let's take it somewhere else. Didn't you say you like excitement? How about the lakeside tonight?"

Elizabeth's eyes widened in surprise.

"That intense?"

"Tomorrow's my birthday. Butler outfit, lakeside, the special condoms—all for you."

The black G-Class roared to life and sped out of the parking lot.

Xavier's phone vibrated. It was a message from Elizabeth.

He opened it.

It was a location pin of a lakeside.

Half an hour later, Xavier sat in a taxi, staring at the black G-Wagon parked not far away.

Elizabeth opened the sunroof. In less than a minute, the black G-Wagon began to shake violently.

People nearby stopped to watch, murmuring in astonishment.

"Wow, outdoor action, huh? That must be thrilling."

"Tsk tsk, that pretty lady sure knows how to have fun. Lakeside, a G-Wagon, a man dressed as a butler—seems like someone's in for an unforgettable night."

Xavier's eyes burned red as he watched the swaying G-Wagon. A chill spread through his body. His hands trembled as he recorded a five-minute video.

Then he sent it to his secretary, his voice hoarse as he instructed, "Play this video on the wedding day."

After sending the message, he called his mother.

"Mom, I'm coming to Neirway in seven days to see you and Dad."

On the other end of the line, his mother immediately sensed something was off. Her brows furrowed tightly.

"Is Elizabeth coming with you?"

"I'm coming alone."

"Alright, don't be sad."

She already had an idea of what had happened. With a sigh, she reassured him, "I'll be at the airport to pick you up."

It was past midnight when Elizabeth returned, making enough noise to wake Xavier.

She was drunk, her breath heavy with alcohol. Wrapping her arms around his face, she kissed him over and over again.

Maybe she sensed his anger from earlier in the night. She whispered anxiously, "Honey, I love you so much. You can be mad at me, you can yell at me, even hit me, but don't ever leave me, alright? Don't worry, I'd never cheat on you."

Lying on the big bed, Xavier stared at her coldly.

She must have forgotten to cover the marks on her neck before coming home.

Yet, there was no deception in her eyes—only genuine affection.

The next morning, Xavier woke in a daze.

Elizabeth had already squeezed toothpaste onto his brush, poured warm mouthwash, and picked out his clothes for the day.

Once he finished getting ready, she walked downstairs with him.

At the dining table, her phone vibrated. She glanced at the message, then looked at Xavier with an apologetic smile.

"Honey, I won't be home tonight. There's a gathering I need to attend."

Xavier paused mid-bite. He knew she was meeting Connor tonight but didn't bother exposing her.

"Alright."

After Elizabeth left, he hailed a taxi and followed her.

Twenty minutes later, she drove into an upscale residential complex.

From a distance, Connor stood waiting, wrapped in a gray trench coat with a matching scarf, exuding effortless charm.

Seeing Elizabeth's Bentley, he smirked and waved before slipping into the car.

They stayed inside for a while before the Bentley pulled out of the complex.

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a bridal photography studio.

Connor stepped out of the passenger seat. As Elizabeth approached, he naturally took her arm and walked inside with her.

The receptionist greeted them with enthusiasm. "Ms. Eaton, Mr. Walker, welcome! We've cleared the venue for you. Let me take you to see the styles of wedding photos we'll be shooting today."

From inside his car, Xavier watched the scene unfold, his expression unreadable as a cold wave engulfed him.

His phone rang suddenly.

He glanced at the screen. It was his friend, Vincent Mallark.

He picked up. Vincent's cheerful voice came through. "Where are you? Let's grab a drink."

Xavier gave him the address.

There was a brief silence before Vincent groaned in mock envy. "You and Elizabeth have been married five years, and now you're taking wedding photos again? Damn, growing more in love, huh? Every day, you make us single guys jealous."

Xavier stared ahead blankly, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Vincent, she's not taking them with me."

Vincent paused. Then his voice sharpened. "With another man? Elizabeth is cheating? Hold on, I'll be there in twenty minutes!"

Twenty minutes later, Xavier slid into Vincent's car.

Xavier explained how Connor had returned a month ago and how Elizabeth had betrayed him.

Then, he played the taunting voice message Connor had sent from Elizabeth's phone.

Finally, he pointed toward the bridal shop with a bitter smile. "As you can see, it's Connor's birthday today. Elizabeth is celebrating by taking wedding photos with him."

Vincent followed his gaze.

Inside the shop, Elizabeth adjusted Connor's suit collar, her expression gentle, her touch careful, as if handling a priceless gem.

Vincent clenched his fists. "I can't take this. I'm going in to beat them up for you."

He rolled up his sleeves, ready to charge in, but Xavier stopped him first.

"Wait. I want to see what else they'll do."

Half an hour later, Elizabeth and Connor walked out of the bridal shop.

He was dressed in a crisp black suit, she in a snow-white, form-fitting wedding gown. Hand in hand, they climbed into the Bentley.

They drove to the lake.

To prevent paparazzi, the area had been cordoned off in advance. The photographers were already waiting.

As the couple arrived, one of them grinned obsequiously. "Ms. Eaton, Mr. Walker, you two look perfect together. In fact, you're the most attractive couple I've ever photographed."

Connor wrapped an arm around Elizabeth's waist, chuckling. "I have good taste in women. My wife is drop-dead gorgeous."

Over the next half hour, they changed into three different wedding outfits.

The winter air was cold. During breaks, Elizabeth draped a thick coat over Connor's shoulders.

When his poses weren't coming out right, she encouraged him patiently, helping him find the right mood.

The shoot ended, but Elizabeth didn't leave immediately.

Instead, she suddenly dropped to one knee.

Connor's eyes widened in surprise as she pulled out a bouquet of roses and a ring.

"You once said you envied Xavier because I was the one who proposed to him first. I told you I could do the same for you, but you kept saying I didn't have to. But I can't let you feel like you're second best. Connor, will you marry me?"

Connor's eyes were red. He nodded eagerly, his voice trembling with excitement. "I do! I swear, I'd marry you a hundred times over!"

The film crew erupted in cheers. "Congratulations!"

Inside a car parked nearby, Xavier watched the scene unfold, his face frozen in an expressionless mask. A chill spread through his body.

Five years ago, Elizabeth had proposed to him with the same deep affection. She had worn a beautiful white wedding dress, held a bouquet of bright red roses, and carried a meticulously prepared engagement ring.

That day, she had choked on her own words, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Xavier, I love you. You are the only man for me in this lifetime. No other man will ever enter my heart. Please, marry me. I'm begging you. I swear, if I ever betray you, I'll die."

Xavier let out a hollow laugh. It started as a chuckle, but before he knew it, tears were rolling down his face.

Everything had been a lie. The vows, the tears, even the so-called sincerity. In the end, everything changed so easily.

Beside him, Vincent watched him with quiet sympathy. "They've left. Do you want to follow?"

"Follow them."

Xavier lowered his gaze, then slowly turned to look out the window. He wanted to see where Elizabeth was going.

An hour later, the Bentley stopped in front of a restaurant. The place was in the busiest part of town, and the window seats were notoriously difficult to reserve. It wasn't peak dining hours, so only a few tables were occupied. Each seat was separated by a screen, offering ample privacy.

Clearly, Elizabeth had taken precautions.

Xavier watched as the two stepped inside. Then, he walked into a nearby store, bought a more mature-looking outfit, put on a mask and a hat, and sauntered into the restaurant.

Vincent had already made arrangements. He had thrown money at the problem and secured the table right behind Elizabeth's.

Just as they sat down, a middle-aged couple arrived, guided by a waiter to Elizabeth's table. They looked to be in their fifties, ordinary in every way. But if one looked closely, the man bore a striking resemblance to Connor.

"No way… Is she meeting his parents?" Vincent whispered in shock.

Xavier remained silent. He took out his phone, found the perfect angle, and snapped a few quick photos through the narrow gap in the screen.

The timing was perfect. He captured the exact moment Elizabeth handed a black card to Connor's mother.

"Damn, she sure is generous." Vincent cursed under his breath.

Xavier lowered his gaze, setting his phone down slowly. "Let's go."

He had no desire to stay a second longer.

Back on the street, Vincent offered to drive him home, but Xavier shook his head. "Vincent, my mind's a mess right now. I need some time alone."

Vincent didn't press him, only reminding him repeatedly to stay safe.

Once Vincent was gone, Xavier wandered aimlessly. The night was bitterly cold, the temperature already below freezing. His coat was thin, offering little protection against the chill.

But none of that mattered. The cold outside was nothing compared to the cold seeping into his heart.

He didn't know how long he had been walking when his phone suddenly vibrated. It was a message from Elizabeth.

He opened it. Three wedding photos filled the screen.

In the first, Elizabeth leaned against Connor, looking delicate and affectionate. In the second, the two of them kissed passionately. In the last, she knelt on one knee, holding up a bouquet, while Connor smiled triumphantly.

Then, a message followed.

[We took wedding photos today. She proposed to me in front of everyone. I was really moved.]

[She even insisted on meeting my parents. Other than registering our marriage, we've gone through all the steps.]

[Who says sharing a wife is a bad thing? I'm fine with it. The question is, are you? After all, it's not like I'm losing anything.]

Xavier stared at the arrogant words, his expression unreadable. He didn't reply. Instead, he forwarded the wedding photos to his secretary, along with the pictures he had taken of their dinner. Then, he screenshotted the entire conversation and sent it over.

"Make sure these are displayed at the wedding."

With that, he slid his phone back into his pocket.

He kept walking, step after step, his mind blank. He didn't notice the black car speeding toward him until it was too late.

Bang!

The impact sent him flying two meters through the air.

He didn't know how long he had been unconscious. When he finally opened his eyes, the sharp scent of disinfectant filled his nose. A white hospital room came into view.

Elizabeth stood by his bedside, her dark eyes filled with worry and fear. "You're awake! Do you feel any pain? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

Xavier slowly turned his gaze toward her.

Her eyes were red. She looked anxious, distressed, as if she wished she could take his place in suffering.

Disgust churned in his stomach. The images of her in a wedding dress, clinging to Connor, flashed through his mind. He felt like throwing up.

Elizabeth, oh Elizabeth. Which version of you is real?

"Why aren't you saying anything? Do you feel unwell? I'll call the doctor."

She turned to leave, but he grabbed her wrist before she could take a step.

His voice was hoarse as he asked, "Why are you here?"