Chapter 1

In the Neurology Department, a patient caused a ruckus, a pen's tip dangerously close to jabbing my eye.

While I was still reeling in shock, my fiancé Everett was busy shielding Dean's daughter, Addie, in his arms.

Afterward, he meticulously checked Addie's condition, completely oblivious to my trembling hands behind him.

I stared at the dazzling diamond necklace around her neck, which pained my eyes. It was the very necklace I'd seen in Everett's jacket pocket. I thought it was a belated birthday gift meant for me.

[Cora, you're so pitiful. Everett doesn't love you anymore, yet you still cling to him. Look, did he even glance at you?]

Oh? Is that so.

[Among his mistresses, you're the chattiest.]

After replying to the text message, I immediately bought a flight back to A City scheduled for three days later.

In my left hand, I still held the phone connected to my dad's call: "You've been away for three years for Everett, and Grandpa's health has worsened. Come back and get the wedding done."

In my right hand was the pregnancy test result I had planned to show Everett half an hour ago.

Suppressing my sobs, I said, "Dad, wait for me. I'll be back in three days."

The next moment, I tore up the pregnancy test report and tossed it in the trash.

It's been three years, and my wedding with Everett has been postponed again and again, six times just for the ceremony.

He's either too busy, needs a promotion, or there's a sudden increase in workload...

I'm done waiting.

Today after work, I didn't wait for Everett to leave together, which was unusual.

As soon as I started the car, the door opened, and Everett got into the back seat, looking displeased.

"Not waiting for me? Do you have an attitude now?"

I stayed silent, focusing on driving, and he added,

"You should apologize to Addie; she cried this afternoon, saying you called her a homewrecker. Cora, I didn't expect you to be this kind of person; Addie's such a pure and kind girl."

Sure, she's pure and kind. Everyone in the department talks about how Dean's daughter Addie is lovesick, frequently visiting Everett's office.

I was genuinely amused.

"Everett, do you remember what I said when we started dating?"

"Are you serious? You've said so much; how could I remember every word?"

He was a bit impatient.

"I once said my future husband could be lazy, could be greedy, but must not be a womanizer. Do you remember that?"

"Men in today's society are so stressed because you feminists have distorted the atmosphere."

He rubbed his temples, pretending to lose interest in the topic.

Both of us returned home with tense expressions, and Everett went to shower first.

He took a long time in the shower, seemingly on a lengthy phone call.

I didn't bother with him. When he came out, I quickly closed my laptop.

"You didn't cook?" He seemed slightly stiff, seeing the dark kitchen and the empty dining table.

His stomach isn't great, and with the busy, irregular schedule of a doctor, I've been cooking for him for three years.

"Order takeout yourself; I'm pretty busy these days too." I was telling the truth.

"You're just a nurse. I don't know what you busy yourself with all day."

He looked displeased, fiddling with his phone.

Passing by him, I glimpsed that he wasn't ordering takeout but messaging Addie:

[Still hungry. I'll eat you tonight.]

I quietly picked up the cat bowl, planning to feed Purr.

Purr is a gentle blue cat Everett gave me when I followed him to Seaside City three years ago to comfort me when I missed home.

But after pouring the cat food, Purr was nowhere to be seen.

I panicked a bit, calling out, and Everett impatiently looked up: "Stop calling. I sent Purr to Addie's place; she'll bring him back in a few days."

I threw down the cat bowl: "That's my cat! How could you just give him away?"

Everett looked displeased: "Addie has depression; I'm her attending doctor. For the patient's sake, you shouldn't be so petty!"

He slammed the door and left.

As I calmed down, a chill ran down my spine.

Everett wouldn't take Purr out to play.

Addie must have been to my house; otherwise, how would she like and take Purr?

I went mad searching the house.

Finally, in the crack of the guest room headboard, I found a black lace bra and a torn condom wrapper.

What a coincidence. Half a month ago, to monitor Purr's activity at home, I bought a camera. I only tested it but wasn't good at setting it up, so I left it alone.

I opened the app to check. The footage was unclear, but the audio was crystal clear.

A week ago, when I was on the night shift,

Addie asked, "Who excites you more, me or that woman?"

Everett, panting, replied: "She's so boring; she can't compare to your wild charms."