Chapter 2 Gossip
1174 Words
Stewart Group was usually busy, and I would often bump into hurried employees when I brought lunch. But for some reason, today everyone seemed unusually relaxed, gathering together to gossip.
"Hey, did you hear? Ms. Casey posted a photo with Mr. Stewart on i********: last night. Do you think they're getting back together?"
"You're just hearing about this? The reason we have so little work today is because Mr. Stewart's in such a good mood after making up with Ms. Casey. Otherwise, there's no way we'd get off so easy! We should thank Ms. Casey for this!"
"What about Mrs. Stewart? Didn't they just get married?"
"Hah, Mr. Stewart's feelings for her can't possibly be real! When has Mr. Stewart ever been this happy for that woman? Besides, she's not good enough for him!"
The conversation continued, the gossip flowing freely, and they didn't even notice me standing there holding my lunchbox.
When they finally realized I was there, their chatter came to an abrupt halt. One by one, their faces went pale, and they lowered their heads, unable to look me in the eye, stammering as they tried to justify their earlier words.
I simply took the water that the secretary handed me and casually tossed a comment over my shoulder as I walked toward Ethan's office. "Whether I'm worthy of him is not up to you to decide. Besides, I'm the one Mr. Stewart chased for two years, the one he begged for."
It turned out that the marriage I had always been so proud of had long been a joke to others. Ethan hadn't even bothered to fulfill the most basic duties of a husband. He couldn't even hide his affair. The whole thing had become a scandal, and the one most affected was Stewart Group.
I couldn't help but feel a little sarcastic toward the man I had loved so much.
The door to Ethan's office was suddenly pushed open, and Lila hurried out, looking flustered. She was so rushed that she had buttoned her shirt wrong. Her face was flushed, and she looked at me with a hint of challenge in her eyes. "Sorry, Kayla. It's just so hot in the office, I had to take my jacket off. Don't misunderstand, okay?"
I nodded, my voice laced with sarcasm. "Ms. Casey, you really are something else. You can't handle the cold weather, but it's spring now. Shouldn't you be able to shed more layers?"
She realized I was mocking her, but since she was in the wrong, she could only glare at me fiercely.
She turned her eyes to Ethan in the room, silently pleading for his support.
Seeing Lila's wounded expression, Ethan naturally felt sorry for her. He frowned and started blaming me. "Kayla, why are you being so harsh? Lila didn't mean it."
My husband was defending another woman, and behind me, I could feel the eyes of the others, eager to watch the spectacle unfold. This was the marriage I had so carefully chosen.
If this had been a while ago, I would have lunged at Lila, claws out, but now I just stood there, coldly watching it all. After all, when you're the one who isn't loved, you don't have the right to make a scene.
Seeing my silence, Ethan finally seemed to realize that he had gone too far.
He awkwardly rubbed his nose. "I'm just worried. You know, it's about the reputation of Stewart Group. If Ms. Casey felt wronged here, it would be bad if she went home upset."
I nodded stiffly, forcing a smile. "Right, since you care so much about Ms. Casey, why don't you just divorce me and marry her?"
Although my words seemed like a joke, my tone was laced with seriousness. Ethan's smile froze on his face. In the past, I had always treated his words like gospel, never once questioning him.
He had gotten used to my love and sacrifices, taking them for granted. But he had forgotten that nothing in this world is ever truly guaranteed. Love, especially, can be worn down by time.
The tension in the room grew thick, and the secretary hurried forward to break the silence. She quickly ushered Lila out, who left with a scowl still on her face.
Soon, the office was empty, with only Ethan and me left. He was still upset about the earlier exchange, his back turned to me, refusing to look at me. This was his usual method—whenever he did this, no matter whose fault it was, I would end up in tears, begging for his forgiveness.
For me, right or wrong didn't matter as much as his attitude. But back then, I still loved him.
I ignored his mood and spoke directly. "Where were you last night?"
I didn't smile and flatter him like he expected. Instead, I began to question him. A flash of surprise crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by anger. "Did I say I wanted to talk business? How would you understand the pressure I'm under when you stay at home all day doing nothing? If you can't help, then don't make things worse! Don't forget, I'm the one supporting you!"
The man in front of me was hysterical, and there was no trace of the sincere, starry-eyed man who once held my hand and promised never to let me suffer. Perhaps he had never loved me at all, just put on a good show.
I didn't want to argue with him anymore. I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a bit helpless. "Have you forgotten? It was you who begged me to stay home. You promised you'd always take care of me and never let me down. If you can't keep that promise, then why make it?"
He froze for a moment, clearly thrown off by his own words, but he quickly adopted a look of victimhood and moved toward me, trying to take my hand. "Darling, I'm doing all of this for our family! I want to come home and be with you too. I was just too worked up earlier. And besides, I've always had you in my heart! Look! Didn't I even buy you breakfast?"
I subtly pulled my hand away and glanced at the cold breakfast he handed me.
A wave of sarcasm washed over me. ''This is always how he is—using little gestures and favors to cover up his mistakes. And here I am, foolish enough to believe him, kept in the dark for so long.''
That cold, uneaten breakfast was just like our relationship—irreparably broken. Perhaps in his eyes, I was still the fool who could be easily dismissed with a few kind words.
He could continue living his good life, juggling Lila while giving me empty gestures. I no longer wanted to play this act of a loving couple. I raised a finger and pointed to the mark on his neck. "Darling, the hickeys on your neck are still there. They haven't faded."
- Writer
