Chapter 2Betrayed Once, Destroyed Again

"I don't blame you. It's our wedding. You should smile more." Henry grabbed my hand and blew on it. "That must have hurt. I'll apply ointment for you later, okay? Rest well tonight."

His voice was gentle and casual, as though nothing had happened between us.

I shook him off in utter disbelief.

Henry frowned. "Is that slap not enough to make you feel better?"

Tears burst from my eyes. "Since when did you change? Where did the man who loved me most go?"

He didn't take my hand again. Instead, he lit a cigarette, allowing the smoke to blur his expression.

After a while, Henry spoke. "Helena, I've done more than enough for you. You only came back to me after you were done with Yves. You wanted a man by your side, and I gave it to you. Even though you had a child and went through a miscarriage, I never held it against you."

He paused, the ash falling to the ground. "Why can't you take it when I only cheated on you?"

I froze for a moment before finding my voice. "But I'm serious about you."

Amidst the hazy smoke, Henry's eyes looked so unfamiliar that it chilled me to the bone. "I'm serious about you too. I deliberately approached Rebecca to get revenge for you. My plan was to sleep with her and take her photos, so everyone would know what kind of woman she was."

He took a drag and exhaled, then continued, "But as time passed, I realized why Yves would rather be with Rebecca than you."

My whole body shook. "Why?"

Henry looked at me, a small smile appearing on his face. "Yves has good eyes. Rebecca is way better in bed than you."

I stood there in shock, my body going cold. "Henry, you…"

"Rebecca has my name tattooed on her chest. When she gets worked up, it swells, and the letters move with it. It's pretty damn exciting. Can you do the same for me?"

"You always complain it hurts the moment I get a little rough, so I'm always afraid of touching your wounds. But when I think about how much you've suffered because of Yves, it hurts me so much."

Henry's voice grew hoarser, his eyes bloodshot. "How am I any lesser than him? Why has Yves always been ahead of me, ever since we were kids?"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing as I stared at him. Henry, who had always been gentle and charming, looked like a madman now.

He opened the door to leave, but when he turned and saw my tear-streaked face, his voice suddenly softened. "I'll ask the makeup artist to touch up your makeup."

Henry left, and I cried until my eyes were swollen.

Who would've thought that just ten minutes ago, I was holding that man's hand, saying "I do" in front of everyone?

Tears blurred my eyes, and I instinctively placed a hand over my stomach. I was 12 weeks pregnant.

How did I end up facing the same situation again?

I went home, not knowing how I got there. The moment I pushed open the door, I was stunned. Every corner of the room was filled with things I'd casually brought up before.

The out-of-print books I'd once talked about collecting in college, the antique music box I'd lingered over while shopping, and a box of handmade chocolates Henry had someone bring back from Itario.

I'd only liked the post once on social media, but Henry had remembered every little thing. Everything was wrapped beautifully and arranged neatly alongside the flowers filling the room.

I could barely stand, my legs going weak. My fingers trembled as I dialed Henry's number. It rang twice before he answered.

"What is it?"

I could barely get the words out. "Can you come back? There's something…"

Henry broke into laughter. "You've lost again."

My mind went blank. "What?"

His laughter grew louder. "I'm talking to Rebecca. She said you have a strong ego and that you will definitely ask for a divorce tonight."

He paused, his voice becoming determined. "I told her you won't and that you'll come running to me."

Rebecca's mocking voice came through the phone, making my scalp tingle. "Helena, you're such a loser. I slept with the two most important men in your life. How are you still not enough for them?"

The pain tore through me, leaving me shaking. I shouted, "Henry, I want a divorce!"

There was silence on the other end for a very long time, then he hung up. I could no longer hold it in, bursting into tears.

A while later, the door opened. Henry was home, and Rebecca was with him, linking her arm through his. The fresh hickeys on her neck and chest hurt my eyes.

I charged over, wanting to slap her. Before I could, Henry grabbed my hand, opened the door, and pushed me out.

"Go cool off like you did three years ago."

Then he slammed the door shut.

The cold, pouring rain drenched my body, leaving me trembling.

The rain was just as heavy as three years ago. The man who once saved me was now the one hurting me all over again.