I froze. Every drop of blood turned to ice.

My heart sank like it was full of lead.

Zachary had said it.

Cathryn was his wife.

I was just... a game.

Disposable.

For the first time, I was scared. Too scared to keep watching.

I ran.

Later, he texted.

[Baby, I have to go on a business trip for a few days. Don't be mad—I'll make it up to you when I'm back.]

I stared at the screen, tears falling, hands shaking as I typed—

[Are you really on a business trip? Or just spending time with your wife?]

But I didn't send it.

I just cried.

Then deleted it.

One word at a time.

What was the point in exposing him?

Could I really take back someone who betrayed me?

No.

I couldn't.

But still...

My heart was wrecked.

And I'd never felt so alone.

***

Four days later, Zachary showed up with a massive bouquet and that fake-soft smile. "Baby, I'm home."

I stared at him, blank.

He stalled, then shoved the flowers into my arms. "Don't be mad. Work's been insane. I wouldn't have bailed otherwise."

I dropped the bouquet on the table. "Not mad. If you've got work, go do it."

He blinked, thrown off by how chill I sounded. Then he brushed my cheek and grabbed my hand. "I've got a surprise. Let's go."

Didn't wait for an answer—just pulled me straight to the car.

Ten minutes later, we pulled up at a theater.

The second I stepped inside, it hit me—the whole place was reserved. And every face there? Familiar.

Whispers kicked in fast.

"There she is. Perfect couple, huh?"

"Mr. Jurg really went big—rented out the whole theater for Mrs. Jurg."

"She's into plays, so he flew in some international troupe just for her."

"Everyone knows he spoils his wife. Classic Jurg move."

The room buzzed with envy. Zachary clutched my hand like he was the dream husband.

All I could do was laugh inside.

My chest felt iced over. Frozen solid.

This grand public love story? Total act. Behind the scenes, the real title belonged to someone else.

He gave me a fake name, a fake life—while legally tying himself to another woman.

What a sick joke.

As soon as I sat down, a sharp cramp hit my lower stomach. I pressed a hand there.

Zachary clocked it. "Period? Hurting bad?"

I nodded. "Need some stuff."

He didn't miss a beat—hand on my stomach, rubbing gently, then pulling out his phone to order painkillers and hygiene stuff.

The whole time, he kept massaging, handed me warm water, acting like I was still his world.

Then someone came rushing up behind us.

We both turned.

Cathryn.

She was smiling, but she looked like a wreck—soaked clothes, pale face. "Mr. Jurg, I brought what you asked for."

Zachary frowned. "Why you? I told someone else. It's pouring out—and you're not well. Why push yourself?"

She bit her lip, all soft and wounded. "Everyone else was busy. I didn't want you and Ms. Arden waiting too long... so I came."

Then she handed me the bag, tone icy, eyes throwing shade.

"Ms. Arden, maybe next time bring your own stuff. Kinda overkill to send the company scrambling for something so minor."

Zachary shot her a light warning. "Cathryn, tone it down."

I stared at her, blank. Hesitated. Then said nothing and headed to the restroom.

Zachary trailed after me. "I'll go with you."

But when I came out, he was gone.

I turned to leave—and then I heard soft moans coming from the lounge next door.

Something in me just knew.

I eased the door open.

Zachary had Cathryn pinned on the couch, kissing her like he couldn't breathe without it. Neither of them noticed me.

"Stop... Ms. Arden's still waiting," Cathryn whispered, barely resisting, voice all breathy.

"Forget her," Zachary said.

His eyes were wild with want, hands all over her.

"But she'll worry if you're gone too long," Cathryn said, pushing him off—barely.

He cupped her face. "You ran through the rain just to see me. You're drenched... I hate seeing you like this."

Her eyes shimmered. "I just wanted a glimpse. That's enough for me."

His face softened. He pulled her into a hug. "I missed you too."

Then he unclasped the pendant from his neck and slipped it around hers. "It's been blessed. I've worn it for years. Now it's yours—to keep you safe."

Cathryn lit up. She tilted her head and kissed him.

He kissed her back, deep and full of feeling.

My fists clenched so tight, my nails dug into my palms.

Nausea rolled through me. Everything blurred. My chest burned like a storm was ripping it apart. I had to grab the wall to stay upright.

That pendant wasn't just some gift.

It was a talisman. I'd climbed Mount St. Helena for it—fought through freezing wind just to reach that old chapel.

Hours of hiking. Hands torn up, knees scraped raw. I barely made it before sunset.

The priest said it needed a real prayer to work.

I gave it blood, breath, everything I had.

When I handed it to Zachary, he saw my busted-up fingers. His voice shook. "Sierra... why would you do this for me?"

I smiled and looped it around his neck. "Because it'll keep you safe. That's all I want."

He'd held me close, kissed me like I meant something. "I'll wear it forever."

And he did—until now.

Now he handed it off like it was nothing.

He gave her the safety I bled for.

He never saw the weight behind my gifts.

The pain in my chest was suffocating—like something had its hand wrapped around my heart, squeezing harder with every second.

So much for Zachary's promise of forever. Guess "forever" meant a few years, max.

His love? Never real.

They were still tangled up, kissing like they couldn't get enough. His hands were under her shirt, all over her.

She let out a soft moan.

"Feel good?" he smirked, speeding up.

She blushed, voice teasing. "Mm... I want you to touch me."

Then she reached down, grabbed him—and he lit up.

"You little minx," he murmured, slipping his hand deeper.

Kisses weren't cutting it anymore. Clothes hit the floor. They didn't stop.

Zachary's voice dropped low, almost tender. "Be good... give me a baby."

Cathryn gasped, trying to catch her breath. "Okay."

I couldn't watch another second.

Their bodies, tangled up like that—it made me sick. Hit me so hard I almost dropped right there.

The pain wasn't just in my chest anymore. It ripped through me, like a thousand blades carving me open. Every cut raw. Every wound refusing to heal.

I thought about our wedding night—how careful he'd been, so gentle, holding me after and swearing I'd be his one and only.

In our two years together, I begged for a child. He always blamed my health, said it wasn't safe.

Even when I cried, begged—he still said no.

And now, here he was, loving someone else with that same tenderness... ready to have a baby with her.

So it wasn't my body. It was me. I was never enough for him.

That's why, when it came down to me or her—he chose her. She was the real wife.

Zachary... you betrayed me, after all.

The hit was too deep. Pain exploded in my chest, and I coughed up blood.

I slapped a hand over my mouth, gasping, nausea clawing at my throat as I stumbled away.

Almost collapsed more than once. My tears soaked through my collar long before I hit the exit.

Enough.

After all that heartbreak, I was just... done.

If he loved her, then what was I still doing here?

I started planning my escape. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere I could fall apart in peace, patch up these invisible wounds on my own.

Not long after, Zachary came back—with Cathryn at his side.

He gave me that soft look. "Baby, it's raining. She's into performances too, so I let her stay."

I nodded. Said nothing.

Didn't call them out.

The whole show, he kept me tucked close, rubbing my stomach like always, fussing like I was still his world.

But I knew his right hand was laced with Cathryn's the entire time.

One arm wrapped around me, the other holding her. Guess he liked having the best of both worlds.

Whatever.

Just a little longer.

When the show ended, he pulled out a jewelry box. Inside was a stunning necklace.

"You like it?"

Cathryn gasped. "Oh my god, that's the 'Forever and Always' necklace he had custom-made! It's literally priceless!"

I gave a small nod. Played along.

Zachary clipped it around my neck, smiling like he just hung the moon. "It's gorgeous. Looks amazing on you."

I glanced at Cathryn.

Something shifted in her eyes—dark, sharp. Jealousy, maybe.

Out of nowhere, Cathryn swayed and stumbled, slamming into a metal stage prop.

"Watch out!"

Someone yelled, but it was too late—the metal door came crashing down.

Zachary lunged, grabbed Cathryn, and pulled her out of the way.

I wasn't so lucky.

I watched it fall, powerless.

Bang.

The impact crushed me to the floor. Pain exploded through my skull as blood spilled down my face. My vision blurred.

Right before everything went black, I heard Zachary's voice, frantic. "Sierra..."

But I already knew—in that one second of danger, she was the one he chose to save. Not me.

***

I drifted into a long, aching dream.

In it, I saw everything—Zachary and Cathryn, wrapped up in their perfect love story. His soft touches. Her glowing smile.

He gave her a big, beautiful wedding. She gave him a child.

And me? He threw me out like trash.

I begged him to stay. He turned his back. Told me to leave.

They built their picture-perfect life while I sobbed, broken and alone.

When I finally woke up, my pillow was soaked through.

The first thing I saw?

Two silhouettes in an embrace.

"Don't cry. She'll be fine."

Zachary was holding Cathryn, gently patting her back.