Chapter 3

The memory abruptly stopped.

I suddenly looked up, toward the brightly lit villa in the distance.

On the second-floor balcony of the villa, Asher Vance held a petite woman tightly in his embrace.

On a crazy impulse, I called him.

The next second, he hung up.

I called again.

He hung up again.

My heart ached, and I squatted on the ground, gasping for air.

About ten minutes later, he scooped the woman up into his arms and went inside.

Then, he reappeared on the balcony.

And my phone rang.

“Hello, babe, what’s wrong? I was just in a video conference.”

I wanted to expose him directly.

But the words caught in my throat, bitter and dry, I couldn’t squeeze out a single one.

“Babe?” Asher Vance asked, confused.

I still didn’t speak, biting my lip hard, forcing myself not to cry out.

Asher finally realized something was wrong, and his voice turned worried:

“Did someone upset you?”

I wanted to say, the ones who upset me are you.

I smiled bitterly:

“Asher Vance, do you remember what day it is today?”

The person on the other end was silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled.

“Oh, so you’re mad I forgot our wedding anniversary? My little princess is throwing a fit again.”

“I’m sorry, babe, I was just so busy today. I’ll come abroad and spend some quality time with you in a few days, okay?”

Just then, I saw Chloe Miller come out again.

She stood on tiptoes and kissed Asher Vance on the lips.

A sickening smacking sound came clearly through the phone.

A shiver of disgust ran through me.

My voice was already hoarse:

“No need. If work is busy, then focus on work. Don’t mind me.”

“Alright, babe, you’re getting more understanding.”

The call ended. The two on the second-floor balcony embraced tightly under the moonlight, looking like a truly devoted couple!

My tears gushed out instantly.

Was this what betrayal felt like?

The eighteen-year-old Asher Vance and Aria Blackwood would never have imagined that the twenty-five-year-old Asher Vance would betray his beloved.

He had loved me so much.

That summer, a boy held a basketball, dazzling under the sun.

The wind blew across my face, carrying the voice of an eighteen-year-old boy through time— “Aria, I love you, I’ll only ever love you. If I, Asher Vance, ever betray you, may I die a terrible death!”

The night wind made me tremble uncontrollably.

I leaned against the wall and slowly stood up, then turned to leave.

I hailed a taxi.

The place I went to was the small apartment Ryder had given me for my eighteenth birthday.

My hand trembled as I inserted the key into the lock.

The moment the door opened, a damp, dusty smell assaulted me.

It was clear no one had lived here for a long time.

The furnishings inside were just as I had left them three years ago.

On the desk sat a photo of Ryder and me.

Ryder was in a black suit, and I, standing next to him, had a high ponytail and was smiling brightly.

Ryder and Asher learned of my return the next day.

They both gathered at my small apartment.

These two men, who commanded respect and power in the outside world,

now faced me with looks of surprise and awkwardness.

Asher stepped forward first, reaching out to take my hand as he used to.

“Aria, you’re back? Are you… are you well?”

I subtly avoided his hand.

Ryder’s eyes welled up, his voice choked.

“Sister, this is great, as long as you’re okay.”

Asher’s hand froze in mid-air, a little surprised.

Then, a deeper tenderness melted into his eyes.

“Are you too tired from the long flight?”

Hearing this, Ryder quickly walked to my side, worried, and reached out to feel my forehead.

I didn’t move, my body stiff.

Ryder checked carefully, “No, your temperature’s normal.”

I forced a smile.

“Yeah, I guess I’m just a little tired.”

Asher smoothly picked up the conversation.

“In that case, you should stay here and not run around.”

“It’s close to the hospital, so it’s convenient for your follow-up check-ups.”

My lips curved into a smile.

Was he afraid I’d discover his secret mistress?

How absurd.

I, his wife, was living outside.

While his lover was brazenly living in our home.

It seemed I was the one who looked like the mistress.

I chuckled bitterly, “Whatever.”

It wouldn’t be for long anyway.

Asher’s brow relaxed, his voice filled with his usual宠溺.

“Good girl. Rest well here, I’ll come to see you often.”

Ryder also visibly relaxed:

“Okay, then I’ll have Mrs. Davis come over and tidy up. Tell me if you need anything, sister.”

“Mhm.”

I played along with their charade.