Chapter 30
I lifted my eyes and glanced at the chair next to me. Without even thinking, I shoved Rachel aside, grabbed the chair, and swung it hard toward the door.
Fury surged through my veins. My arm tingled from the effort, yet I continued to swing the chair with all my strength. My heart raced in my chest, the intense rage within me nearly unbearable.
Then, with a loud crash, the door flew open.}
I took a step forward and froze.§
The room was spotless, featuring a king–sized bed in ivory white, a redwood screen partitioning the area, a neatly organized vanity table, and a wardrobe, all impeccably placed as intended.}
But what hit me the hardest was what I saw at the head of the bed.
It was a photo of Tyler and Jessica, their heads pressed closely together.}
Jessica was lying on Tyler’s back, smiling sweetly, while Tyler’s hand rested gently on her face.
I had never expected Tyler, the cold and composed man, to smile so brightly, revealing his back teeth. It felt like a slap to the face.” There was another photo too, one of them in swimsuits at a hot spring. Tyler, shirtless, held Jessica high against his chest, his face buried in her chest.
Jessica clung tightly to his neck, her legs around his waist, both laughing joyfully, completely at ease together.
My body shook, a wave of nausea washing over me. I couldn’t fathom what I was witnessing. He had already integrated her into his life, long before I became aware.}
They had shared every experience a married couple should, in locations I had never known.
And I had no clue.
In a frenzy, I picked up my phone and called Tyler. I needed to face him and understand how he could betray me in this
After calling more than ten times, however, every attempt went straight to voicemail.
Frustrated, I tossed my phone aside, trying to gather my thoughts.
Then something caught my eye–a trending topic popped up on my screen.
It was a post from a show called ‘Searching for True Love.‘
The image captured a tall man sharing a passionate kiss with a glamorous foreign woman beneath the Eiffel Tower. The program praised their cross–racial love, calling it “true love.“}
And then, I saw Tyler’s statement about it.D
[True love knows no boundaries, no races–only hearts. Everyone, regardless of their background, deserves respect.]} Jessica looked more enchanting than ever as she wrapped her arms around Tyler, returning his kiss with equal intensity.
The audience thrived on this moment. They were completely engrossed in the unfolding story.
As I observed, my vision began to blur.}
way.§
The enormity of it all hit me like a freight train, and before I realized it, tears were flowing down my cheeks. I seized the chair again, this time hurling it against the walls, slamming it into everything in that room. I aimed to obliterate the decade of my false marriage, the absurd love I had squandered on him.
By the time I was done, my arms were sore and numb from the exhaustion. I collapsed in the wreckage, crying uncontrollably. Rachel hurriedly led the employees out of the room, then discreetly sent me back home.
I didn’t even realize when Rachel had left. I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, deep in thought, unsure of how long I had been there. Grief engulfed me.”
The conflicting chills and heat were overpowering, and my throat felt scraped raw. My chest burned like fire, yet I remained still.s
If I died like this, maybe it would be a relief. I wouldn’t have to suffer from this toxic love anymore, or endure the pain of caring for someone who didn’t care back.
…2
Tyler came home.
But he didn’t come alone. Jessica trailed behind him, her eyes puffy and red from tears, her lashes quivering as if pleading for my compassion.
Tyler kicked open the door and yanked the curtains aside.”
He pointed at me as he angrily said, “Zoey, I never knew you were capable of being this barbaric and violent! You went to the company, wrecked Jessica’s room, and even broke the emerald bracelet her mother left her! Do you have any idea how this makes us look? What do you think the employees are saying about us behind our backs?“}
He paused to catch his breath, his face twisted in frustration. “You’re in your thirties now. Can’t you see the bigger picture? Can’t you act like an adult, like someone who understands responsibility?”
“Jessica is ten years younger than you. She has always been humble and kind. She’s even pregnant and still trying to take care of you. Why can’t you understand that?“}
As Tyler kept ranting, I slowly turned my face, trying to make sense of his words.
11.11 AM & D
As Tyler kept ranting, I slowly turned my face, trying to make sense of his words.
But everything felt like a blunt
Tyler noticed I wasn’t responding and grabbed my arm roughly, pulling me to face him.
“Zoey!” he shouted, his voice trembling. “Look at me! Why aren’t you listening?”
I didn’t say a word.
How could 178
The man I had loved for so long had just shattered my world in a way I couldn’t even begin to understand.”
