Chapter 2A Decade of Deception

I've gone crazy, pretended to be sick, thrown tantrums - nothing could stop him from returning to Zoe's side.

He would only say to me, "Ava, stop making a fuss."

Then he would lean down to kiss me before rushing off like the wind.

Back at home, the unfinished wine still sat on the table.

The sweet aroma of alcohol hung in the air as Adam took off his coat and went to the kitchen to get some ice to press against my face.

"Aren't you going to comfort your wife?" I asked, staring at his long eyelashes as he bent over me, feigning nonchalance.

"She's much more obedient than you."

The words I wanted to say got stuck in my throat. The warm yellow lamplight enveloped us as I listened to his breathing, suddenly feeling empty inside.

Ten years.

I had devoted ten years of my time and energy to Adam Carter, thinking it would soften his heart. But his heart remained as cold and hard as ever.

"Let's break up," I said.

His hand on my cheek paused for a moment as he looked at me steadily.

I hated that expression of his the most - aloof and callous. In an instant, it transported me back to that stormy night thirteen years ago.

My body started trembling uncontrollably. I shook off his hand and turned away, hiding my vulnerability in the shadows.

Adam just thought I was having another outburst.

He was used to me threatening to break up whenever I was upset, only to be appeased with some money.

So easy to placate.

That night, Adam still slept at my place. He held me close as he slept soundly, moonlight flowing like the tide over his hair.

His brows, his eyes - I had gazed at them for ten full years, each time etching them into my memory with a hatred that cut to the bone.

A faint vibration interrupted my thoughts.

Adam's phone lit up, displaying just one word on the screen: "Nian".

"Hello?" I answered the call.

The urgent tone on the other end suddenly fell silent. After a long pause, Zoe's trembling voice came through.

"Is...is this Ava? Is Adam there? Can you ask him to take the phone? I...I think I'm having a miscarriage..."

I turned back towards Adam, at a loss for words, and met his still slightly dazed gaze.

When he finally registered what Zoe had said, his expression changed.

He snatched the phone from me, his voice barely containing his anger - directed at me.

"Why did you answer the phone?! Haven't you upset her enough already?"

His grip on my wrist was so tight it felt like he would crush the bone.

I trembled, feeling the blood in my heart run cold.

I watched him hurriedly throw on his clothes and rush out the door, his face etched with anxiety that seared my vision.

I collapsed onto the floor, letting out a bitter laugh as I looked down at the angry red marks on my wrist.

I remembered my first miscarriage. I had also made a phone call then, forcing Adam to come back from the villa where he was cooking for Zoe.

I had been even more ruthless back then, sitting calmly on the sofa as I watched the pool of blood spread.

Only when it was certain the baby couldn't be saved did I finally call Adam.

The anxiety on his face when he arrived was identical to just now.

As if he had divided his love equally between Zoe and me.

But how can one heart love two people?

He was false and pretentious, unable to let go of either Zoe or me.

I felt exhausted and cold. I curled up on the carpet and fell asleep until the sky began to lighten, but there was still no sign of movement outside the door.

Adam wouldn't be coming back.

I sat in our spacious home, looking around, and realized for the first time how many traces of Adam there were.

The mugs on the kitchen island - we had picked them out together as a couple. Adam had scoffed at such childish things, but still used the silly cartoon rabbit mug to drink alcohol.

In the fridge, half was filled with his liquor, half with my calcium milk drinks. He had mocked my habit, but would silently restock the milk each time.

And the wall of perfumes he had collected for me, the ring designs he had personally sketched...

My phone lit up as the long-awaited message finally arrived.

It was a photo from Zoe.

Adam's handsome profile was buried in the snow-white bedding, one hand tightly gripping Zoe's pale, slender fingers.

The smile on her face was gentle and serene as she gazed directly at me through the screen.

"I told Adam you scared me into miscarrying."