Chapter 2

As the music began, Henry led Tara onto the dance floor. I masochistically watched their intimate display.

When the song ended, amid enthusiastic applause, Henry leaned down and planted a deep kiss on Tara's lips.

After the party, I found myself following them to the parking lot like a man possessed.

Tara had changed out of her evening gown and was about to get into a different car.

"Where are you going? Back to Shanghai again?" Henry demanded.

Tara ignored him dismissively. "None of your business."

"Your home is in Hong Kong. Why do you keep going to Shanghai?"

Henry blocked her path, his tone sharp.

"You still haven't completely broken things off with Jack, have you? Tara! I'm your husband, I want you to stay and come home with me!"

"You can't leave! Come home with me!"

Tara kept dodging back and forth.

"Get out of my way!"

Henry was forcefully shoved aside by Tara, left standing there stunned.

"Henry, I've told you before, I won't give up Jack. You're the one who insisted on marrying me by any means necessary. Now you have to deal with the consequences!"

Tara got in her car and slammed the door. On the road, she kept messaging me over and over.

"Jack, what are you doing?"

"Are you asleep?"

"Why aren't you replying?"

"..."

My phone kept lighting up in the dark room, painfully bright.

I tossed it across the room.

The fiery alcohol burned my throat, making me cough uncontrollably.

This home was filled with sweet memories from our five years together.

Now it just made me feel sick.

I had thought I was the love of her life.

Only now did I realize I was the most pitiful one in this relationship.

Deceived in body and soul, forever living in a romance that could never see the light of day.

I met Tara right after graduating college. She was gentle, caring and romantic, making my then-roommate Henry envious.

Some people had warned me that a girl from Tara's background wouldn't be interested in someone like me, telling me to be wary of Henry.

Henry came from money and had no shortage of female attention. I didn't think much of it.

Besides, Tara loved me so much. How could she possibly look at another man?

Now I realized how foolish I had been.

I looked at the company's transfer notice and applied for the war correspondent position no one else wanted.