Cheating Is Instinct? Then Let’s Get You Neutered

Chapter 2

Early the next morning, Colin came home humming and went straight to the shower.

There was a bright red lipstick stain on the clothes he tossed aside.

I gave them one look and threw them in the trash.

When Colin came out of the bathroom and spotted them, he paused before giving me an indulgent smile.

"I knew you were throwing another tantrum.

"I already told you Vera is nothing more than a passing thrill. You're the only woman I love."

I looked at him impassively.

In a way, he was right. After all, I was the only one who knew his secret.

Colin fished a ring out of the trash and slipped it onto my finger.

The tiny diamonds gave off a faint sparkle.

But the ill-fitting ring pinched my finger until it ached.

Colin, however, looked pleased.

"I knew a small ring like this would suit you.

"You're too plain to carry off anything expensive. Cheap things are more your style."

My heart sank.

I stared at him coldly without saying a word.

When we first got married, Colin and I could afford nothing more than a basement apartment.

The dusty rooms were damp and musty, and the shower barely produced any hot water.

I always showered first so the water could warm up by the time it was his turn.

I thought Colin would remember how much I had suffered for him.

I never imagined that once he became successful, he would decide I had deserved every hardship.

Apparently, Vera was the one meant to enjoy all the good things in life.

After Colin left, I opened i********:.

Vera had posted a nine-photo collage documenting their wonderful night together.

Rosebuds sat on a table, surrounded by champagne bottles arranged in a heart.

A cake stood in the center. When I enlarged the photo, I could just make out the words 'To My Dearest Baby' written across it.

At the very edge of the frame lay a small ring.

Vera had added two comments:

Vera Finch: I don't want such a tiny ring.

Vera Finch: It would be a shame to throw it away. Someone less picky can have it.

The final photo showed the two of them at a hotel, wrapped around each other as if they wanted to merge into one.

Without hesitation, I yanked off the ring Colin had just put on my finger.

I pulled so hard that it tore my skin.

Blood dripped steadily from my finger.

Colin caught the scent of it and returned to the bedroom with a frown.

"Why does it smell so strongly of blood in here?"

The next second, he stopped short.

He hurriedly grabbed the first-aid kit and treated my cut.

"Faye, you really do have a temper.

"I told you Vera and I are only having fun. Why won't you listen?"

I tugged at the corner of my mouth as I listened to his reproachful tone.

That was what Colin had always told me.

He insisted he was ruled by animal instinct.

Losing interest in one woman and chasing another was simply his nature, but his heart remained pure and he still loved me.

"You know how cats are when they're in heat. They lose all control.

"I inherited a little of that blood. I can't help it."

I had heard those excuses so many times that my anger had turned to numbness, and my numbness to indifference.

It didn't matter. This time, I would solve his problem once and for all.

I glanced at the calendar on the wall.

Only 3 days remained until the full moon.

"Of course I know you're only having fun."

I took Colin's hand and cut him off.

"It's all right. I sympathize with you, and I understand.

"I just hate seeing you suffer. I want to find a permanent solution for you."

Colin frowned slightly as an uneasy feeling flickered through him.

Something about my words sounded strange, but he couldn't put his finger on what it was.

In the end, he gave up trying.

He tied the bandage around my finger in a neat bow, then tossed the ring back into the trash.

"If you don't like it, forget it.

"I'll buy you a new one next time. Why get so upset over something like this?"

The ring traced a graceful arc through the air before landing heavily in the trash.

I looked away, opened the doctor's message thread, and sent the payment.

Me: Proceed with the surgery as soon as possible. Make sure he loses all interest in romance for good.