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Of course I knew.
The man who swore he loved me and never worked late or socialized excessively, suddenly started coming home late a year ago.
His excuses became more frequent, and a few times I even caught the scent of unfamiliar perfume on him.
But out of trust, out of love, I always chose to believe him.
And what about him?
Not only did he betray my trust, but he also brought her into our home and expected me to accept it.
I wanted to ask how he could do this to me.
But I didn't.
I had already seen through his hypocritical act and simply watched him expressionlessly.
Under my gaze, Alexander deflated. He lowered his head and muttered an apology, "I'm sorry."
"Whether you believe me or not, Chloe and I... nothing really happened. I only see her as a sister. I didn't tell you because I was afraid you’d overthink it."
"Just this once, I promise. I'll never lie to you again."
I didn't respond. I got out of bed and opened the door, "You should go. Chloe is still waiting for you to tuck her in."
I was exhausted. I couldn't bear to listen.
Alexander paled further. He grabbed my hand anxiously,: "El..."
"Maybe... maybe I shouldn't go over there tonight. I... I want to stay with you." Alexander hesitated for a long moment before seeming to decide.
Suddenly, a scream pierced the silence from the room next door—it was Chloe's.
Alexander's resolute expression instantly shattered into panic.
He abruptly let go of my hand and rushed into the next room..
【Ding】
A message popped up on my phone.
I opened it. It was from Chloe,
【You didn't really think you could steal Alex from me, did you?】
【Let me do you a favor—you're just a rebound girl who vaguely resembles me. Otherwise, why would a nobody like you ever land him?】
【Do yourself a favor and get lost.】
Alexander and I met in college.
He pursued me. Loudly, dramatically.
But I never agreed.
I disliked drama.
I didn't believe a rich heir like Alexander Cunningham could ever offer real love.
If it was just a fling, I'd rather not start.
But Alexander stuck by my side consistently for four years.
Throughout university, he appeared whenever I needed him.
When my roommate isolated me, he smoothed things over.
When a professor targeted me, he taught me to fight back.
When I was accused of plagiarizing my thesis, he stayed up all night helping me build an evidence chain to clear my name.
Even when I struggled to find a job after graduation, he crafted a job position disguised as an ordinary openingregular opening and hired me.
So finally, I believed in his sincerity.
And I repaid him with my own wholehearted love.
We never dated conventionally. I said yes to his proposal without hesitation.
After marriage, no matter how difficult his wealthy parents were, disliked me or made things difficult, I never complained.
I worked on myself constantly.
Over three years of marriage, I transformed from a strong-willed, independent person into the epitome of a strong-willed society wife.
After marrying me, Alexander stopped fighting with his family, stopped worrying about household trivialities, solidified his position in the conglomerate, and even his impossibly critical mother couldn't find fault with my filial piety.
Yet, simply because my background didn't match everyone always saw me a married up.
They only saw how good Alexander was to me, how loyal, but never saw the compromises I made for his bad habits or the sacrifices I endured for him.
So when Chloe appeared, everyone told me to endure—because in their eyes, if I lost Alexander, I'd never find anyone better.
But who made that rule?
Now that Chloe—the other woman—was now challenging me openly. Was I still supposed to keep enduring?
I wouldn't tolerate it.
It wasn't that I lost Alexander.
It’s that he lost me.
He betrayed me, and I find him dirty now. I didn't want him anymore.
