"You didn't really think I was just wearing this ring for a show, did you?" I asked Adam while I twirled the dazzling ring on my finger. His eyes caught the act. But other than that, he didn't reveal his thoughts or emotions.

Adam had changed, and that I was sure of. Unlike before, when I could easily gauge his mood, he had learned to hide his emotions now, so I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

"Goodnight, Adam," I said and left without turning back.

"Miss, are you alright?" I turned toward the voice and saw one restaurant staff looking at me with concerned eyes. I was almost at the door when the woman staff approached me.

"I—" I hiccuped and moved to cover my lips. The moment I did, I felt the wetness of my cheek.

'Oh!' I was crying and didn't even know I was. I angrily wiped the tears away but smiled at the staff and quickly walked away.

I had no reason to cry. Adam and I broke up three years ago. And I knew, the moment I broke up with him on the day he was going to propose to me, that he would hate me.

I expected it, and so was the pain and hurt that came with it. Not that it was anything new, though. I had, after all, experienced it before, and I would move from it again. Maybe, how badly I struggled these past years could make up for the pain I also caused him. We should be quits then, right?

Still, I just hoped that Bob would still be there after everything. Selfish. I know. But Bob had always been there for me. And I might not love him as much as he did with me, but I do value our time together.

So when I stepped inside the room and Bob was there to meet me, I smiled and became the version of myself who had forgotten Adam in front of him.

...

I was a little high-strung in the days following my encounter with Adam. Thankfully, I was too busy with work, and the latter must have been too because we didn't see each other for the rest of the week.

As I worked hand in hand with Alexa in our department, she made me the person in charge of the reporting, which meant I had to make sure our reports were in order. So Saturday of the same week, I decided to do overtime to check those reports.

Absentminded, I forgot the said reports at home and only found out about my mistake when I entered our company building.

'Damn it!' I cursed, laughing at my own stupidity, and went back home.

I wasted precious time but didn't mind going home again and seeing Bob. I checked my watch and saw it was around nine in the morning. If I were right, Bob would be on his computer doing whatever he was currently working on.

I smiled and thought I could pull a small prank on him. I wanted to surprise him and get inside without him knowing.

It was a good plan but what happened afterward wasn't the scenario I had in mind.

I got inside the house just fine, without Bob knowing. But when I got to the second floor and his office, I found it open but empty. I frowned and opened my lips to call his name, but a banging sound that seemed to come from our room made me stop.

Afraid and worried, I approached the bedroom as quietly as I could. The bedroom door was slightly ajar when I got near, so I slowly and silently pushed the door open to take a peek.

"Ah, ah, ah… Hmmm."

The sound from inside became louder then, and it confused me because it didn't sound anything like Bob — not that I ever had the chance to hear Bob moan and groan during sex because we never did.

So I pushed the door a little harder.

Right then, the scene in front of me confused me. I thought I was seeing things because, for some reason, a man that looked exactly like my husband was having intercourse with a man who looked like my brother.

I must have said Bob's name out loud because, in the next few seconds, his pleasure-filled face turned into shock and horror.

"Sophia!" Bob called out my name in surprise and scrambled to get off the bed.

Eric's eyes were still closed, and he moaned when Bob suddenly left him. "Honey, Sophia won't be coming back for another — Oh. Hello, Sophia," Eric casually greeted me and smiled as he saw me.

I knew anger, and I also knew how it was to hope for something only for that hope to be dashed away. But what I never knew was the bitter taste of betrayal until that moment.

I looked at Bob, my eyes already stinging with angry tears. "Seriously, Bob? With my brother?" Those were the only words that came from my lips, my voice barely audible with the anger that shook my body.

Bob had already grabbed a boxer, put it on, and was now approaching me. "Soph, I can expla—"

"Don't be such a drama queen, Sophia."

"Eric!"

Bob hissed at my brother, but the latter only rolled his eyes and continued, "Weren't you ever curious why Bob never bed you?"

I did, but I had always thought that Bob could never get it up to… anyone. Well, it turned out I was wrong.

"So you aren't as stupid as you look, dear sister." Eric laughed. He must have seen the answer to his question in my shocked eyes.

Eric got up, not even bothering to cover himself, and wrapped his arms around Bob's arm. Instead of looking at my brother, I looked at Bob. He looked… guilty, as he should.

"Don't blame yourself, Sophia. It's just that Bob and I are in love. So it would be really nice if you stepped out of the way now."

"Eric," Bob reprimanded my brother. And before the latter could say another word, Bob added, "Go home for now. I'll deal with your sister."

Eric looked like he would protest, but Bob stopped him with a kiss.

Shocked and still reeling from the scene, I looked away. I wanted to hurl and run far away, but my feet didn't move.

"I want a divorce," I found myself saying when Eric left and Bob and I were left alone. I didn't know how I managed to stay inside the room with the two, but I did, only because I wanted the whole thing to be over.

"No!" Bob's answer made me look at him with renewed shock.

"What?" I asked. Did he really think I would stay with him after this? "Bob, are you insane?"

Bob gritted his teeth but didn't answer my question. Then his eyes turned into their usual warm smiling color as he said happily, "I told you before, didn't I, Sophia? I'll be promoted soon, and it would be bad if I had a divorce at this critical moment. So you have to stay with—"

Faced with my husband's unimaginable shamelessness, my hand moved on its own and slapped his unrepentant face to shut him up.

"I don't fucking care about your promotion, Bob. I want a divorce!" I shouted at my shameless husband in rage.

When I finished my remark, I saw that Bob's expression had transformed into a menacing scowl. His once-warm and kind persona faded as his features darkened and hardened. Now, he looked like he had turned into a totally different person.

I shivered as I looked at him, slowly stepping back.

However, as I retreated, Bob stepped forward and leaned closer to me.

Coldly, he scowled, "You're a complete bitch! Do you think I'm that stupid not to know what you've also been doing behind my back?"

All of a sudden, I began to feel nervous and confused. "What are you talking about?" I asked.

Without responding to me, he stormed to the other room and fetched a stack of photos. Then, he angrily threw them at the table and said, "Take a look at that!"

As soon as I picked up a photograph, I felt my brain stutter for a moment, and my eyes widened in surprise. It was a photo of Adam and me looking very intimate in the club.

I wondered how he could have gotten it.

"See? Don't come blaming me for something you, yourself, were doing as well, Sophia. Stop acting so innocent!" Bob snorted.

Bob and I never had a serious argument, so now that we did, I was utterly new to it. I didn't expect him to say such words, but while it shocked me, the anger in my body reached my head, and I began to tremble more. "Okay! If you think I am a bitch, then let's get a divorce!"

However, Bob obviously didn't want that to happen, so he began threatening me. "I'm only saying this once, so listen, Sophia. Don't ever bring up getting a divorce again because that won't happen. If you keep insisting, I'll send these pictures to your company and let everyone know you're a cheating wife."

Bob's last words rendered me speechless. I couldn't believe he just said what he said. All this time, I had the wrong impression of him. I was so angry that no words came out of my mouth, and I felt like my body suddenly froze, and my heart shattered into a million pieces.

Seeing my reaction, Bob's grin grew even wider. "You know, this wouldn't really impact your reputation because you're just a normal staff. But then, the man in this photo is your CEO, right? Imagine the damage he would suffer if this went out."

For a little second, I felt like I couldn't breathe.

It hadn't been that long since Adam returned, and when he did, he busied himself running his business. I was a living witness to the nights he stayed beyond working hours and the meetings he personally attended just to secure a deal. He gave his all to our company, so I couldn't fathom how much damage this scandal could bring him.

Seeing my pale complexion, Bob shifted the topic and said, "There will be a party tomorrow, and you need to be there with me."

Then, he held up the picture as if to say I had no other choice but to join him.

At this point, I felt like a puppet on a string, frozen and mute in my chair. Still shocked, the three years I spent with this man began flashing in my mind like a montage. Looking at him now, I couldn't help but ask if he was the same Bob I knew. Because for three years, we lived under the same roof and slept in the same bed.

Did I never know him? Was everything just a pretense? Was I really that stupid? How about my brother, Eric? How could he do this to me? How could I not notice that my brother has a secret interest in my husband? Seriously, how stupid was I?

I chuckled in my head as I began questioning my life and myself.

Bob, on the contrary, paid no attention to me anymore. He only sat on the sofa comfortably and picked up the remote.

As soon as he opened the television, a news announcer was in the middle of doing a report. Hearing a familiar name, I shifted my attention to the screen and listened.

"The heir of the S Group and youngest daughter of the White Group announces their engagement to the public." I could hear the host's overly dramatic voice in my head.

I stared at Adam and the woman beside him.

'Is he truly engaged?' I asked myself.

Though Adam appeared emotionless on the screen, the hints of affection in his eyes didn't escape mine. They were so unclear that I almost didn't notice them as well.

The announcer continued talking about the engagement when suddenly Bob turned the television off and looked at me with mockery.

After a moment of silence, Bob sneered. "How thick-faced can you be, Sophia? How fascinating! Who could have imagined you'd have an affair with the heir of the S Group? You're a really great slut." He said as he slowly clapped his hands.

However, at that moment, his insulting words didn't matter to me anymore. Because inside my head, the image of Adam's engagement ring on another person's finger never left my thoughts.

I once had that opportunity. Now, however, I have nothing except a never-ending void of despair.

The following day, Bob continued to threaten me about the party. He forced me to get dressed and join him.

Because of his job, he constantly needed to communicate with others, and I had no choice but to get dragged to socialize with people. I was so tired and angry that I began to feel nauseous. However, Bob didn't care as long as I continued to play pretend.

In the middle of one conversation, I suddenly noticed Bob's face lit up as he glanced in one direction. I followed his gaze and suddenly felt my face turn white at the sight of the couple greeting the other guests.

It was Adam and his fiancee.

Their presence quickly grew attention as more people began approaching them. The woman wore a figure-flattering maroon velvet dress, and Adam donned a suit that perfectly matched hers. Under the bright lights, they looked like a perfect match for each other.

Bob suddenly leaned closer to me and whispered. "Go and say hello to him."

Annoyed, I immediately let go of his hand and remarked, "Are you crazy?"

"I have a project proposal with the S Group, so you must help me here. Or else your photos will be all over the internet," he said as he continued smiling in front of others.

I couldn't believe how shameless he was. I wanted to stride off and leave, but I was left with no other choice.

Damn this man!

While I cursed at Bob under my breath, my sight caught Adam slowly moving his way toward us.

And fast as a flash, Bob morphed into a different persona. This time, one full of flattery. He grabbed my hand again as the couple got closer to us.

"Sir Adam, Miss Emily," he greeted them. "It's so nice to see you this evening."

I stood silent and wasn't planning to do anything until Bob squeezed my hand to warn me. Left with no choice, I lowered my head a little and greeted them hello as I tried to calm myself.

Though quick, Adam's gaze instantly fell on my hand, which Bob was holding after I finished speaking. Then, he shifted his gaze to meet my eyes and looked at me coldly as if mocking me. Something in his stare made my heart tremble again, so I didn't dare to look at him anymore.

"As I recall, you know my wife, Sophia, right?" When Bob mentioned me, I looked up and discreetly glared at him.

Adam didn't say anything, but his fiancee replied, "Oh, Adam? Do you know each other? How come?"

In a cold tone, Adam answered, "Just a colleague."

It was just three words, but I felt their gravity as my face turned pale, and I couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Polite as she seemed, the woman turned to me and extended her hand, saying, "Hello, I'm Emily, by the way. Adam's fiancee. It's nice to meet you."

I looked at the hand in front of me, and the engagement ring on her finger caught my attention. It was so bright that I felt like my eyes were burning.

After a few seconds, I accepted her hand and greeted her back. "Hello, I'm Sophia."

Oddly, when Emily heard my name, her eyes suddenly showed a bit of hatred. However, she quickly covered it up, and only I seemed to have noticed it.

Feeling strange, I began to wonder if she had seen me before or if we had met once.

A few minutes later, someone called Emily and Bob over, so they excused themselves and left. Before leaving, Bob threatened me again to behave myself or else. However, regardless of that, I went to the balcony outside to stay away from other people.

As soon as the night breeze hit my face, I felt my body shiver in the cold, but my mind and heart became more at ease and sober. At this point, because I was alone, I began to think about the situation more seriously.

It was clear that Bob had proof that Adam and I were together. He made this threat because he was aware of my relationship with Adam and had even used me to establish a connection and discuss business with him. If I argue about Bob's cheating, would anyone believe me? After all, I didn't have any proof that he and Eric were together. Plus, Bob was already set on the fact that I wouldn't blow the whistle on his relationship with my brother.

When I gave it more thinking, I realized how powerless I was. As I stared up at the skyscrapers, I hoped I could just leap off one of them and end my life.

Then, all of a sudden, I felt someone's hand around me.

I was shocked that I began to panic and fight back.

"Don't move," a warm breath whispered unto my ear.

When I heard his voice, it took only two words from him for me to freeze. I knew that voice. I knew Adam very well.

After I finally calmed down, he twisted my body around so I could face him. His eyes shone brighter than any star in the night sky. I was smitten, but I couldn't see what was hiding behind those eyes.

Apathetically, he ran his hands through my hair and murmured, "Your husband truly impressed me."

Even though I was mortified by Bob's behavior, I had to keep my mouth shut.

However, it was as though my silence roused Adam. All of a sudden, he was clinging to me even more firmly that his grasp began to hurt. I inhaled deeply to ease the pain.

"You dumped me because of a guy like that?" His hatred and rage filled his eyes even more so than before.

I smiled bitterly as I pulled away from him and said, "Adam, don't forget that you have a fiancee."

Adam's gaze was intense, and he kept pressing closer until I was backed up against the wall.

His hands were glued to me, and he soon found the sensitive spot on my waist. He ran his palm on it and teased. "Sophia, is your relationship too solid that he knows full well how sensitive this part of you is? When he touches you, does he do it like this?"