chapter 3

Because if I did, the pain would be unbearable. Just like now—I couldn't stand, I couldn't breathe.

It took me a long time to stop crying. I put on some makeup to hide my swollen eyes and forced myself to walk out.

Kieran's attention was all on Zara. Maybe because of my limp, he didn't notice anything wrong with me. He fastened an expensive necklace around my neck and asked, "Do you like it, Esme?

"Don't worry. I always keep my word. Apart from the paperwork, nothing between us will change. You're still my wife. When we remarry, I'll give you an even bigger gift."

I managed a small smile and said quietly, "Okay."

I couldn't say another word.

I felt like I could break down any second, scream at him, and ask why he was still being so kind after betraying me.

But I couldn't confront him yet.

I needed to know if he would really make me take off my prosthetic leg for Zara's sake.

By the time night fell, the fourth floor of the mall restaurant was crowded.

Even after dinner, Kieran never brought up the subject.

I felt a tiny, pathetic sense of relief. At least it was only betrayal. At least part of his love for me was real. At least I wasn't just a complete joke.

"Kieran, if you're tired of me because I can't have children, or because you're sick of taking care of me, you can just say it..."

I was about to confront him when a few men walked past without looking and knocked me down.

In the chaos, someone stepped on my left leg. The joint of my prosthetic snapped, and the pain nearly made me pass out.

When I came to, the crowd had already scattered, and my prosthetic leg was gone.

Kieran's eyes were red as he held me tight.

"Esme, are you okay?

"The prosthetic must have been kicked away. I'll call an ambulance right now and take you to the hospital. We'll get you a new one, the best model they have."

I stared at him wide-eyed. He still looked frantic, worried, tender… just like he had for the past ten years. There wasn't a single crack in the act.

A chill ran through me as I turned to look at Zara.

She squinted slightly, a smug smile flickering in her eyes.

On the way to the hospital, Kieran suddenly got a call about an emergency at work. He got out halfway and told Zara to take good care of me.

Zara lifted her chin, the corners of her lips curling high.

"See, Esme Lee? The one Kieran really loves is me.

"And don't call me a homewrecker. If it weren't for that car crash ten years ago, he would've left you and been with me long ago."

Turns out the memories I'd recovered still weren't the whole truth.

Zara's apartment had security cameras. When she pretended to be sick and asked Kieran to take care of her, she was full of energy. The footage caught everything, from the bathroom to the living room to the bedroom.

Zara saved all of it and played it for me.

"Esme sure has a big heart, letting you stay with me in the middle of the night."

Kieran kissed her hungrily, his breath rough.

"She still thinks you're her savior. She believes whatever I tell her."

"My love, I'm carrying your baby. When will you make it official? You promised you would divorce her and marry me back then."

Kieran pinned her beneath him.

"It was my fault for hesitating. Then the crash happened, and Esme got hurt saving me. Out of responsibility, I had no choice but to take care of her."