Chapter 2

Jack had been gone longer this time. He was a ghost for nearly half a month, but Scarlett's Ins stories updated punctually every night.

Auctions, galas, exclusive parties, even the private island where Jack and I had gone for our honeymoon-her presence was everywhere.

Scarlett truly deserved her title as the one who'd been by Jack's side the longest; she always knew exactly how to twist the knife. Everything she did felt less like showing off and more like a deliberate provocation.

But unfortunately for her, she was going to be disappointed this time. Now that I'd decided to let go completely, I wasn't going to waste any more emotion on Jack.

Just as I closed my phone, ready to rest, a message from Scarlett popped up.

"I've prepared a gift for you. Hope you like it."

Beneath it was a link to a trending story.

The moment I clicked it open, it felt like I'd been stomped on.

"Audrey Hayes, Heiress, Caught Cheating! Secret Rendezvous with Boy Toy!"

Beneath the sensational headline were dozens of private photos from that night. I looked heartbroken, my eyes red from crying.

But my suppressed grief and silent pain were completely twisted by the online mob, distorted into unspeakable filth. The comment section was a torrent of vile abuse.

I scrolled through, trembling with rage.

I was the victim in this marriage, yet the true betrayer walked away unscathed, while I became the slut publicly condemned by everyone.

When I finally managed to calm down and contacted someone to take down the trending topic, they told me that someone had paid a high price to keep the story on the front page for an entire day and night.

After hanging up, a wave of dread washed over me.

Scarlett didn't have that kind of power. The person backing her, the one who wanted to ruin my reputation, was Jack.

I racked my brain but couldn't understand why he hated me so much.

Five years of marriage, even if it was just in name, the feelings I'd once held for him were real. My care and concern for him were genuine.

Even if Jack had no feelings for me, he didn't need to be this cruel, this spiteful.

But soon enough, I got my answer.

The next afternoon, Jack and I were both invited to a gala.

Because I hadn't slept all night, I had a minor incident on the way there, causing me to arrive a bit late.

The banquet hall was loud, but I spotted Jack instantly. He was surrounded by a group of people, and draped bonelessly over him was, of course, Scarlett.

I took a step forward, intending to approach, but then I overheard his conversation with his friends.

"Jack, I saw the trending story. I can't believe even you got cheated on! Your wife's quite something!"

"That's what you get for always trying to steal my girls! Karma's a bitch, huh?"

Someone else joked, "Oh, come on! And you always boast about your conquests? You can't even tell? Those pictures on the trending story clearly show it wasn't the real deal! Your wife was obviously just putting on an act to win you back!"

"But Jack, didn't you go a bit too far this time? Keeping that story at number one, letting everyone insult and slander her? She's still a woman. How's she supposed to show her face in public after this?"

Jack slowly picked up his glass, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"How else is she going to learn her lesson? I want to make sure she never dares to find another man again, not even to pretend."

The friend looked surprised. "That's a double standard! You can play the field, but she can't even have a fake fling? Are you saying your 'open marriage, no interference' rule only applies to others, not you?"

Jack frowned, but said nothing.

"You're a cunning one, alright. You don't fulfill your duties as a husband, but you demand she acts like a proper wife. And because of your 'no interference' rule, she can't even get jealous or angry!"

"As your buddy, I gotta say I'm jealous. Unlike me, my battle-axe of a wife went and caused a scene at my company last month. I was totally humiliated!"

"Hey, how about this? I'll go home later and make the same agreement with my wife, tell her we're both free to do as we please, no interference. What do you think?"

This time, Jack actually laughed.

"No, don't you dare say that. If you do, you'll be signing your own divorce papers."

"My situation is different from yours. After all, Audrey... she's in love with me."

His tone was a mix of smugness and teasing, but my blood instantly ran cold.

So he knew I loved him.