Chapter 2

I said nothing more, turning my head toward the window.

Outside, lights and shadows flickered. In a trance, I found myself recalling that day seven years ago.

That darkest day of my entire life.

That day was our third wedding anniversary.

I was away on a business trip but flew home overnight to surprise him.

Instead, I accidentally stumbled upon Ethan and my sister Lila's affair.

They were in my marital home, in my marriage bed, tangled together.

They were so lost in their passion that they didn't even notice me standing in the doorway for a long time.

Until Lila accidentally turned her head.

"Clara!"

Lila's eyes widened as she cried out in shock.

I thought Ethan, caught in the act, would be panicked or at least look guilty.

But I was wrong.

Ethan didn't rush to explain to me.

Instead, he gently pulled the blanket over Lila, covering the glaring intimate marks all over her body.

"I thought you weren't coming back until tomorrow?"

Not only did Ethan show no guilt, his tone was actually reproachful.

Back then, my temper was fiery. I couldn't tolerate even a grain of sand in my eye.

In that instant, resentment and rage nearly burned away my rationality.

I became hysterical like a madwoman, attacking them with the most vicious words, smashing everything breakable in the room.

The room was a complete mess.

Lila cowered behind Ethan, trembling with fear.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to. Your husband and I just couldn't help ourselves."

Lila's voice carried an obvious sob.

At this moment, her eyes were misty with tears, like a fragile white lotus flower, innocent and helpless.

Completely different from the passionate, unrestrained woman on the bed just moments ago.

Ethan carefully shielded Lila behind him, looking at me with condemning eyes.

"You're scaring Lila!"

"Look at yourself right now. How are you any different from a lunatic?"

I thought I was the one going crazy.

I sent photos and videos of Lila and Ethan to our family group chat.

I wanted everyone to see their ugly faces.

Who would have thought, the moment the video was sent, my parents called with scolding words.

"Clara Reed, have you lost your mind?"

"Delete those photos and videos right now! If others see them, how will Lila ever show her face in public again?"

My parents had always favored Lila.

Just because Lila had been kidnapped on the street when she was little.

She wasn't found by my parents until she turned eighteen.

To make up for all those years of loss.

Dad and Mom were especially indulgent and doting toward her.

And they demanded that I accommodate my sister in everything, always putting Lila first.

Even our birthdays---because mine was only one day after Lila's, my parents forcibly required me to celebrate a day early together with her.

But the birthday cake always only had Lila's name on it.

But I never imagined that even in this matter, my parents would unconditionally protect Lila.

"Divorce Ethan."

My sister had an affair with my husband behind my back.

Not only did my parents not blame her, they forcibly demanded I divorce Ethan.

"Why should I?"

I demanded unwillingly.

Lila was clearly the one in the wrong. Why should I be the one to give up my husband to her?

My parents' favoritism had gone completely off the rails.

My chest felt like it was being pressed down by a huge rock, making it impossible to breathe, almost suffocating.

"Lila is your sister. As the older sister, you should accommodate your younger sister."

As if dissatisfied with my feigned ignorance, Mom frowned, her tone extremely impatient.

I instinctively looked at Ethan, at the man I had once loved as much as life itself.

However, Ethan only looked at me coldly.

He had no intention of explaining.

Lila leaned weakly against Ethan's chest.

"Clara, Ethan doesn't love you anymore. We truly love each other. Please, I beg you, let us be together."

"You know he's your brother-in-law?"

Consumed by rage, I slapped Lila hard across the face.