chapter 3

Out there in the woods, the two of them clung to each other like they had been starving for it.

Then everything spiraled out of control.

I knew I should have left, but I forced myself to watch until the very end—like I wanted the pain to carve itself into me.

My eyes were already swollen, but somehow I still felt like I hadn't cried enough.

A while later, Samuel walked out with Macy in his arms, gently tucking a hand warmer into her palms as if she were something precious.

Then I saw the necklace around her neck—an amulet I knew far too well. The little moon charm glinted under the streetlight, and suddenly everything clicked.

Samuel had climbed three thousand steps at Darittin Mountain and bowed with every step just to pray for that amulet.

I had watched him turn it over under the lamp at night, thinking he was preparing a blessing for our baby, believing—like I did—that he looked forward to our child.

I was wrong. He got it for Macy.

After that, they went back to the hot spring hotel.

Whether by chance or on purpose, they checked into the room right next to mine.

Soon, the thin wall between us filled with muffled moans. I cried until I could barely breathe.

I jammed my earplugs in as deep as they would go, wishing I could drill straight through, but it didn't help.

The sounds still leaked through.

Only when I buried my head under a pillow did it finally fall silent.

But silence didn't matter. I already knew.

The man who once swore he loved me was in the next room, losing himself in someone else's arms.

The pain washed over me like a tide, dragging me under.

Samuel texted me later, saying he wouldn't be coming back tonight.

Not long after, someone else sent me a message.

It was a photo of Samuel sleeping in her bed—and used condoms in the trash.

"Your husband sleeps real sweet in my bed."

I ignored her, but the messages kept coming.

Then someone knocked on my door.

"Your delivery's here."

It was such a cheap trick.

But I still opened the door. And of course—it was Macy.

She held a box filled with printed photos from her social media.

"Hayley," she said, smiling like she was savoring every second, "you heard everything, right? You saw everything?

"You know… he only married you because he didn't know what he truly wanted. But the woman he loves—it's me.

"You didn't know, did you? We were already together the first time you were pregnant."

She pulled out a photo. Samuel looked drunk on desire.

His chest had smeared lipstick marks and fresh bite marks glistening with saliva.

Seeing him look so different from his usual self, I dropped the glass on the nightstand. It shattered.

Macy watched me bite my lip till it bled, watched me in pain, and it lit her up.

"Look at this one," she continued. "This was the day he told you he was out of town for work. He took me on the Ferris wheel. We kissed at the very top. He said we'd never break up.

"And this one…

"Oh, and just now?" She leaned closer, voice low and triumphant. "He said knowing you were in the next room made everything even more exciting."

She took a few steps forward, chin lifted. "People say Samuel loves you most. But I think I'm the one he really loves. Otherwise, why would he drug you? Why would he make sure you never have a child of your own?"

So he knew. He knew exactly what that medication would do to me.

"You're saying all this… just to watch me fall apart?" My voice barely came out. "Fine. You win. I hate this so much I could die."

"You should've stepped aside and let me be Mrs. Gray!"

"You're mistaken," I said. "If the two of you want each other so badly… I can make that happen anytime."

Macy straightened, smug and victorious. "Great. I'll wait for your divorce."

When she finally walked away, practically bouncing with excitement, my legs gave out and I slid to the floor, shaking.

Samuel, I'm done with you.