He hurriedly said, "If it's dirty, just throw it away."

The clerk explained, "Sir, the weight of this bracelet doesn't match ... it appears to be a fake ..."

Tommy reacted like a wolf whose tail had been stepped on and immediately retorted, "What nonsense are you spouting? Can a small shop like yours even verify that? This is an auction piece. If you don't understand, don't embarrass yourself."

"Darling, let's go." He quickly pulled Eugene, intending to leave without further discussion.

Tommy brought her all the way to the parking garage, scolding her the entire way for showing the bracelet to others.

Why couldn't she show it to others? Because the bracelet was indeed fake. The real one was on his mistress, Francine Dubois's wrist.

Eugene found herself ridiculous. Not long ago, Tommy had taken her to an auction. She had immediately fallen in love with the bracelet and hoped Tommy would buy it as a birthday gift for her.

It wasn't because of vanity, the bracelet's meaning had touched her. Eternal companionship, growing old together. For most women, their greatest fantasy is spending their life's journey alongside their husband. Eugene was no exception.

At first, Tommy had refused, saying the bracelet wasn't suitable for her. She had been upset for a while. But about a month before her birthday, Tommy suddenly told her he had bought the bracelet.

Eugene had been overjoyed. Yet when she received the bracelet, she noticed something was off. How could a piece worth millions feel so lightweight?

Eugene wasn't stupid. She questioned Tommy about it. He claimed the bracelet's design was intentionally lightweight and said she probably just wasn't used to handling such an expensive item, which made her feel it was different.

At the time, Eugene convinced herself she was overthinking. How could Tommy possibly buy a fake bracelet for her?

Until a week ago, when Francine returned to the country. Eugene saw the exact same bracelet on Francine's wrist.

Only then did she understand, the one Tommy wanted eternal companionship with wasn't her. It was Francine.

Eugene sneered inwardly. What a privilege it was to benefit from Francine's leftovers.

The two reached the car and had just opened the door when a young boy rushed out, "Dad, why are you so slow? Didn't you say we were going to buy a birthday gift for Aunt Francine?"

It was Casey, their son. When he saw Eugene, he froze momentarily, "Mom? What are you doing here?"

So the reason Tommy was here was to buy a birthday gift for Francine. No wonder Francine had sent her provocative messages.

It turned out that their birthdays were on the same day. But evidently, neither Tommy nor Casey remembered.

"This seat is reserved for Aunt Francine! You can't sit here!" As Eugene moved to take the front passenger seat, Casey frowned and snapped at her.

Eugene froze mid-motion, silently watching the father and son. Finally, Tommy awkwardly scratched his nose, scolded Casey and pulled Eugene into the car.

The atmosphere inside the car was heavy. Tommy tried to lighten the mood. "You don't like the bracelet? Didn't you say at the auction that you really liked it?"

Eugene did like the bracelet. To say she liked the bracelet was more accurate than saying she loved its meaning.

Eternal companionship, always by each other's side. The intertwined double knot was her favorite design.

But the bracelet in her hand was a fake one. Not only was the bracelet fake, but Tommy's love for her was also fake. The real bracelet was on Francine's wrist.

Suddenly interested, Eugene stared at Tommy and asked seriously, "Tommy, are you sure this bracelet is real?"

"Of course, it's real!" Casey jumped in. He rolled his eyes, his face, a mirror of Tommy's, showing irritation and impatience. "Dad went out of his way to buy this for you. Instead of thanking him, you're questioning him? What kind of woman does that? You should know better."

"How dare you speak to your mom like that?" Realizing Casey was getting carried away, Tommy quickly stopped him from further scolding Eugene.

He then gently asked her, "Why are you asking this all of a sudden? I bought this bracelet at the auction as your birthday gift. Of course it's real, sweetheart. How could I give you a fake?"

"Really?" Eugene's lips curled into a contemptuous smile. If it weren't for what just happened, she might have believed him.

But it didn't matter anymore. Soon, she would forget everything, forget this hypocritical and disgusting man.

Tommy grew uneasy at Eugene's expression and cautiously probed, "Honey, have I been too busy lately? Are you upset?"

"Tommy, do you remember the promise you made me?" she asked.

Eugene and Tommy had been college classmates. Back then, she was the campus beauty, admired by countless men, including Tommy.

But Eugene came from a single-parent family. After her father cheated and abandoned her mother, she grew up with deep insecurities and a lack of trust in others.

She resisted anyone who tried to get close to her. One by one, her admirers gave up, except for Tommy, who persevered.

Eventually, she was moved by his persistence and gave him a single condition, "Don't lie to me. Even if you stop loving me, don't lie."

The young Tommy had readily agreed and even swore an oath, "If I break this promise, may I never die a peaceful death."

Never die a peaceful death. Eugene smirked bitterly. She wondered if the God would ever punish a heartless man like him.

The seriousness in Eugene's demeanor caught Tommy off guard. She had stood by him for more than ten years, enduring countless hardships. During his toughest times, on a social event, she drank too much and got herself into the hospital to help him secure deals at business banquets.

At just 17 or 18 years old, Eugene had been in so much pain that she couldn't even straighten her back. Yet she still kept reassuring him that everything would be fine.

Tommy knew he owed Eugene too much. That was why he worked himself to the bone, building his business empire and achieving the success they now enjoyed, presenting it as proof of his love.

He gave her a satisfactory answer to this relationship. Tommy knew that Eugene had been drawn to him initially because of his sincerity and affection.

But now? He swallowed hard, his heart pounding with unease. Could it be that Eugene had found out?

No, impossible. He had hidden everything too well. And even if she had, so what?

Francine was his first love. Back then, she came from a wealthy family and looked down on him, leading to their breakup. She had always been the regret of his youth.

Now that the Dubois Family had fallen from grace and Francine had returned to the country, what was wrong with sending her a small gift as a friend? It didn't mean anything.

Of course, these were thoughts he kept to himself. If Eugene knew, she would no doubt curse him to his face.

For now, he forced a smile that mirrored his usual demeanor, "Of course, I remember. I've never lied to you, Eugene. This bracelet is real and so is my love for you."

Eugene stared at him quietly for a long moment and, strangely enough, she felt a slight pang in her heart.

Yes, if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, the way he used his WhatsApp to shower Francine with daily attention over the past ten years, she might have believed him.

If it hadn't been for the intimate photos Francine sent her, Eugene might have been deceived by him yet again.

Her phone buzzed incessantly with messages from Francine, the sound uncomfortably sharp in the silent car. It was aggravating.

Tommy, noticing her agitation, asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

She asked, "Tommy, what would you do if someone tried to drive a wedge between us?"

Before Eugene even finished her sentence, Tommy frowned. "Who's bothering my wife? Tell me and I'll handle them right now!"

"What if it's Francine?" At the mention of that name, Eugene saw him stiffen for a moment, his entire demeanor faltering. "How do you know about her? Are you spying on me?"

"I'm not ..." Before Eugene could explain, Tommy suddenly erupted, "Eugene, what's happened to you? Francine is just a friend! So what if I care about her? Why are you blowing this out of proportion?"

"I thought you were different from those paranoid housewives who nag and fret over nothing. But now, it seems you've become just like them! With you acting like this, what personal space do I even have anymore?" His angry outburst made it seem like Eugene was unjustly accusing him.

But all she had done was ask a question. And yet he was already defensive.

Staring at the raging Tommy, Eugene was at a loss for words. How could she respond?

The man who once professed to love her deeply now stood before her, angrily dismissing her as if she meant nothing. The realization stung, leaving her feeling utterly pitiful.

In the heavy silence that followed, tears began streaming down her face. One by one, they fell onto the leather car seat.

Tommy, seeing her break down, fumbled awkwardly, "I …I'm sorry. I was too worked up just now. Eugene, please don't cry …" He spoke softly, coaxing her in the same soothing tone he'd used during past quarrels.

But this time, Eugene couldn't stop herself. Images of the photos and messages Francine had sent played over and over in her mind.

Why? Why couldn't over ten years of love outweigh someone who had only reappeared for a few days? She tried to understand, but she just couldn't.

She cried, "Tommy, you've changed. You don't love me anymore. I … I want to leave … sob …" Her tearful accusation softened Tommy's heart.

He pulled her into his arms and patted her shoulder, trying to console her, "How could I not love you, Eugene? Don't say such nonsense. I love you the most."

Just then, Tommy's phone buzzed. The name flashing on the screen froze him in mid-action.

Eugene didn't even need to look up to know who it was. Watching the hesitance flicker across his face, she wiped away her tears, "Answer it."

Inside, she made a quiet vow, this would be the last time she allowed herself to be hurt by him.

Tommy glanced at his phone and made a feeble excuse, "It's just a work call. Eugene, stay in the car and wait for me." With that, he opened the car door and stepped out.

Through the window, Eugene could see the faint smile tugging at his lips as he answered the call.

Five minutes later, he climbed back into the car, "Eugene, something came up at the office. I need to head back. I'll take Casey with me. We might be back late, so don't wait for us to have dinner."

Eugene found it somewhat amusing. In the past, whenever Tommy lied, his face would flush red. Now, he could do it without so much as blinking. Perhaps deceiving her had simply become second nature to him.

Casually, she asked, "Can't it wait? Isn't today a company holiday? Why would you ..."