Chapter 2

Ethan’s hand froze mid-air, the smile on his face cracking.

His recovery was fast, though. He pulled his hand back with an awkward laugh and put the car into drive.

"Well... you know how she is, just acting on a whim. That day she complained the backseat gave her motion sickness, and I couldn't argue with her."

It was a pathetic, sloppy lie that couldn't withstand even the slightest poke.

Normally, I might have given him the benefit of the doubt.

Now, all I felt was disgust.

Ethan steered the car out onto the road, pretending to sound casual as he spoke.

"Hey, babe... by the way, the car loan payment is due this week. Cash is a little tight on my end right now, so..."

He paused, glancing at me through the rearview mirror.

"Could you cover it for me this once? I’ll pay you back the second my year-end bonus comes in."

The same old script.

We bought this car two years ago.

He claimed it was to make commuting easier for me. I paid the entire down payment, and he promised he would cover the monthly notes.

And the reality?

Out of ten payments, I ended up paying nine.

Every single due date, he'd cry broke—saying business at his shop was slow, or that some distant relative needed urgent help.

I felt bad for him, so time and time again, I whipped out my card.

I stared at his profile, my blood running cold.

Where did all his money actually go?

I used to believe everyone was entitled to privacy as long as there was love.

Now I knew better.

His money went toward buying that other woman a luxury condo, buying her a brand-new car, and preparing for their baby.

He wasn't broke. He was only broke when it came to me.

"I don't have the money," I said, gazing out the window at the blurred city lights.

Ethan visibly twitched, clearly not expecting such a blunt rejection.

I had never told him no before.

"Babe, you're kidding, right? We just got married today. What’s mine is yours, what’s yours is mine."

A sharp edge of irritation leaked into his voice.

"I really don't have it," I turned my head, locking eyes with him, repeating every word with deadpan precision.

"I just pitched in for a bunch of expensive wedding gifts for friends, and my paycheck hasn't hit yet. I'm tapped out."

Ethan opened his mouth to snap something, but choked it back down.

The air inside the car instantly turned to ice.

A few agonizing seconds passed before he forced another dry, strained laugh.

"Alright, that’s fine. We’ll just tighten our belts a bit. I’ll figure something out—maybe borrow a little from a buddy."

He even reached over to pat my knee, putting on a show of comfort.

Right then, his phone buzzed.

A notification flashed across the screen.

From the corner of my eye, I caught the profile picture.

It was the same woman who had just texted me those photos.

Ethan felt the vibration too. His whole body went rigid. His knuckles on the steering wheel turned stark white from gripping too hard.

He didn't dare glance at the phone. He didn't dare look at me. He just stared straight ahead, pretending to concentrate on driving.

"Buzz."

A second text.

Then a third.

Like an ominous countdown.

"Busy at work?" I asked casually, dripping with quiet mockery.

Ethan flinched and forced another jittery laugh.

"No, just... annoying shop stuff. Clients being demanding as usual."

"If it’s a client, you should check it. Wouldn't want you missing out on business."