Chapter 3

Sylvia's POV

After submitting my immigration documents, I returned to my small rented apartment.

It was already late. Hudson was sitting on the sofa, looking like he'd been waiting for a long time.

"Sylvia, why didn't you tell me about transferring to Mary Hospital in New York? You wouldn't answer my calls, so I had to call your former colleagues to find out you'd transferred."

His eyes were slightly red, filled with panic.

"I waited at home for three whole hours, terrified something had happened to you."

The worry and heartache in those eyes didn't seem fake.

He was such a good actor.

My heart ached so much I could barely breathe.

The scenes I'd witnessed in the VIP suite wrapped around my nerves like vines.

I wanted to ask him, but I felt that at this point, asking anything was meaningless.

Suppressing the stinging in my eyes, I smiled when I looked up again.

"Yeah, the salary here is higher."

"After work I wanted to walk around, and I got lost."

Hudson pulled me into his embrace.

"Next time take me with you-I can carry your bags."

"Today is our fifth wedding anniversary. I bought you a gift-want to open it?"

His chin rested on top of my head, his posture intimate, as if we were still that loving couple.

Five years together weren't fake.

I truly had loved Hudson.

But behind my back, he'd married the woman who hurt me.

I couldn't understand it.

This tender moment lasted only a few seconds before Hudson's phone rang.

The ringtone was the same as Cecilia's.

The man immediately released me, turned and walked to the balcony, completely shutting me out.

A few minutes later, he said he had to go out.

"Sylvia, there's an urgent matter at the company. I need to go handle it right away."

As soon as the words left his mouth, I could no longer see him.

In the cramped apartment, everything was in plain view.

I walked to the desk and opened the gift box.

Inside was a mug with the word "Forever" written on it.

A cheap style, priced under five dollars.

It formed a stark contrast with Cecilia's astronomical diamond ring and estate.

Such blatant favoritism made me gasp with pain.

How did Hudson suddenly become so rotten?

Where did the man from five years ago go-the one who promised to love me and treat me well for a lifetime?

After showering, I walked back to the desk, wanting to get my documents to close my accounts.

As I walked over, I noticed the computer screen was lit.

Hudson had left in such a hurry he hadn't even shut down his computer.

I hesitated, then tapped my fingers on the keyboard.

A password input box popped up on the screen.

I tried my birthday. Wrong.

Our wedding anniversary. Wrong.

Hudson's birthday. Wrong.

Finally, I remembered Cecilia's birthdate from her medical records and entered it.

Unlock successful.

The computer instantly woke up, the desktop displayed before me.

In the desktop photo, Cecilia nestled in Hudson's arms, her smile bright and piercing.

I forced down my discomfort and opened several folders.

The light from the screen illuminated my gradually paling face.

Photos, videos, and sweet chat records of Hudson and Cecilia were all carefully backed up by him.

All of this pierced the happiness I'd believed in, leaving it full of holes.

It turned out that on all those days he claimed to be on business trips and working overtime, Hudson had been with Cecilia.

They traveled the world together, kissing on private yachts.

They attended elite social events together, Cecilia holding his arm, her smile radiant.

There was even a video, shot in the wedding home I'd personally decorated:

Cecilia, scantily clad, looked at Hudson with seductive eyes.

"Hudson, can you really make love to me while Sylvia is working the night shift? What if she comes back?"

"I think you're just hoping she'll suddenly come back."

Hudson tore off her clothes.

She spread her arms and embraced him with a show of triumph.

"Hudson, you're so bad. This is so exciting-this is your wedding home."

Hudson silenced her mouth with a flurry of kisses.

My stomach churned violently.

With trembling hands, I clicked on a folder marked "Important."

Inside was Hudson and Cecilia's marriage certificate registered in New York.

The date was the day after Cecilia slashed my right hand.

A silent thunderclap exploded in my mind.

What daily torment, what living hell-it was all lies!

Hudson not only let go of the criminal who destroyed my career, but immediately gave her legal status and let her get pregnant with his child!

What did he take me for?

Five years! A whole five years!

I'd been like a fool, guarding this illusory marriage, carefully budgeting every penny, feeling sorry that he was "struggling" in New York.

Meanwhile, my husband was in another city, using astronomical pink diamonds, top-tier VIP suites, even legally recognized marriage to cherish another woman to the utmost!

I laughed softly, but tears fell on the keyboard.

I slammed the computer shut and looked at the cheap mug.

I grabbed the cup, raised it high, and with all my strength smashed it against the wall!