I sent a confirmation message to my supervisor and signed the five-year contract for the embassy assignment. I also drafted a divorce agreement. My colleagues at the institute, upon seeing me, gathered around with looks of envy.

"Evangeline, we heard that your husband bought you a lovely apartment in Italy. He's really good to you, isn’t he?”

"Yeah, having someone who’s rich and good-looking is one thing, but for him to be so devoted and loving as well – that's truly something special.”

I used to hear comments like these often, but now they left a bitter taste in my mouth. The more they talked about Julian's deep love for me, the more I realized how empty his affection truly was.

Then Rowena approached, her arrogance on full display as she taunted me.

"I heard you and Mr. Rivera never had kids, right?"

"Men usually prefer women who are more outgoing and appealing. Evangeline, you’re too traditional. Easy to be cast aside, you know."

She made sure I noticed her flaunting a pricey Rolex bracelet. I had recently seen the purchase record for this very bracelet in Julian’s pocket. I’d thought it was a gift for our wedding anniversary and had even picked out a pair of cufflinks for him in return.

But on our anniversary, all I received was a necklace. He claimed the bracelet he originally bought for me got lost. With a wry smile, I realized it had "gotten lost" onto Rowena’s wrist.

My eyes stung, but I met her triumphant gaze with calm sarcasm, "Miss Cox, maybe you should first worry if your boyfriend already has a wife."

Her face turned pale, and she stormed off angrily.

Not long after she left, I received a message from Julian: [Honey, something came up at work. I’ll send the driver to pick you up later.]

Standing by the large window, I watched the familiar car parked below. It was Julian’s. Then I saw Rowena get into the car, and soon enough, it began to rock violently on the spot.

He couldn’t even wait to take her somewhere else before indulging in their antics right here at the institute.

Rowena sent me a link; I clicked on it to see footage from a surveillance camera inside the car. The scene was crass, Rowena’s black stockings torn, and the floor littered with torn packets.

Clinging to Julian, she asked loudly towards the camera, "Aren't I more fun than Evangeline? Those scars on her back must be so disgusting. Surely I’m better, right?"

Burying himself into her, Julian replied with raw intensity, "Don’t you dare compare yourself to her! You don’t get to speak about her!"

"Even if her scars are unsightly, I’d endure anything for her!"

Slowly, I reached back to touch the burn scar on my back. It was a reminder from a time I saved Julian, after which he held me tightly and sought out the best specialists to treat me. Every time we were intimate, he would gently kiss the scar.

With fervent devotion, he’d say, "Love, you’ve suffered too much for me; I’ll never do anything to hurt you again in this life."

Yet, he had done just that. The scar he once cried over was something he had to force himself to endure.

Unable to continue watching, I closed my phone with trembling hands.

When Julian first got involved with Rowena, there were subtle signs even before I fully caught on. It began when he showed an unexpected interest in projects from the firm that could collaborate with his company. Casually, he'd inquire about my work schedule. And there was that challenging, defiant look Rowena would give me whenever she saw me, as if she was measuring herself against me.

Initially, I thought it was just a senior mentoring a junior at work. But gradually, I began noticing that something was off. Their chat history was often deleted, and though Julian acted distant yet polite around Rowena, I could sense an unspoken tension. Once or twice, I found strands of hair that weren’t mine at home and Rowena's jacket left behind. Julian always had a ready explanation, claiming they were collaboration meetings with many people coming over.

He was confident I wouldn't verify his stories, casually spinning tales, assured that his well-known devotion would lead me to believe him. He appeared cold and dismissive with Rowena, sometimes even impatient. I could never have imagined his affair would be with someone he seemed to dislike so much on the surface.

Now it was clear that all of this was just a facade. Julian hadn't come home that day, and I spent the evening packing away anything that reminded me of him. I had just one more day before leaving, and the countdown echoed in my mind relentlessly.

Today, I needed to find a moment to have Julian sign the divorce papers.

A call from my supervisor informed me about a conference I needed to attend. Julian, clinging as ever, wrapped his arms around my waist, refusing to let go. "How could your boss be so inconsiderate, knowing you’re leaving tomorrow and still not giving us any time together?" He was affectionate and warm, but I couldn't bear it.

I wriggled free and stood up, my voice cold as ice. "I need to go," I said. His puzzled gaze followed me, and he asked hesitantly, "Honey, is something wrong? Did I upset you somehow?"

"No," I replied blankly. Julian quickly got out of bed to follow me, insisting on joining me at the conference. In the car, he did everything to lighten my mood, talking about visiting me in the Alps. "I'll try to come as often as I can," he promised, "and don't worry, I'll be home waiting for you faithfully."

I let out a soft laugh, but inside, I felt chilled by his false sincerity. He would indeed stay home, just not alone. As we arrived at the venue, we ran into Rowena, who limped dramatically, pouting as she looked at Julian with exaggerated distress.

Julian loosened his grip on my hand, clearly wanting to go to her, but then snapped back to his detached demeanor. "Julian, could you help me get to the hospital? The conference is starting, and they don't have time," Rowena pleaded, her eyes openly challenging me.

Anxious, Julian released my hand, stumbling over his words. "Honey, she seems really hurt. She's your colleague, after all. I can't just ignore her, right? You go ahead; I'll take her to see a doctor."

I glanced at his guilty expression, realizing he couldn't even pretend well in Rowena's presence. I nodded and headed into the conference room.

Before entering, I glanced back. Julian had seated Rowena on a table, bent down to massage her foot, and she playfully nudged his chest with her toes. "Julian, you were so concerned for me earlier. Am I more important to you now than Evangeline?" she teased.

Julian grasped her ankle, visibly annoyed. "How many times do I have to tell you? You're no match for Evangeline!" Rowena pouted, dissatisfied. "If I'm no match, why do you bother with me?"

Julian smirked casually, moving his hand from her ankle upward as he lifted her. "Because being with you suits my whims," he replied. They kissed fervently, stumbling into the restroom as I turned away, expressionless, and entered the conference hall.

A full half-hour passed, and there was still no sign of Julian and Rowena. Nearby, a few people whispered, "I was just in the restroom, and some couple was... you know, completely shameless. The woman was so loud." It was clear they were talking about Julian and Rowena. Even without intentionally listening, their antics reached my ears through others.

But it didn't matter anymore. I checked my watch; only ten minutes remained for the conference. Julian eventually returned with Rowena, a lipstick stain on his shirt. "The hospital was far; we drove around for ages before finding one. You weren't waiting too long, right, honey?" he asked apologetically.

I responded casually and handed him the divorce papers. Without reading, Julian signed them with a smile. "Anything you give me, I trust completely," he said. I suppressed a grimace and said nothing.

The conference concluded, and Julian excused himself, citing work commitments. He promised to spend every moment with me, yet consistently favored moments with Rowena instead.

I contacted my lawyer, handing him the papers to handle the remaining legalities. Then, I packed my bags and headed to the airport, swiftly catching an earlier flight to the Alps.

....

Third Person's POV

When Julian returned home, the chill of emptiness greeted him. Every trace of Evangeline was gone. He frantically tried reaching out to her, only to find he had been blocked on every platform.

As he stood bewildered, a knock came at the door. The lawyer entered, carrying the divorce papers. "Mr. Rivera, Ms. Rivera has asked me to discuss the divorce proceedings with you."

Julian, hand trembling, took the papers, feeling his world collapse.