Chapter 1

"Hello, I'm here to apply for immigration!" Esme Shepherd stood at the counter, handing over her carefully prepared documents to the staff on the other side of the window.

The staff quickly stamped the necessary forms before sliding a paper back to her, saying, "Ma'am, your application will be processed in 15 days. Please be patient."

Esme nodded and turned to leave, but faint whispers from behind stopped her in her tracks.

"Am I seeing things? Why would Mrs. Jabs apply for immigration? Did she have a fight with Mr. Jabs?"

"Even if they fought, isn't this a bit extreme? Everyone knows Mr. Jabs spoils her like crazy. What could possibly make Mrs. Jabs this determined to leave?"

Someone chimed in, "Exactly! Five years ago, their wedding made global headlines, and even I—someone who barely follows the news—heard about it.

"Then, three years ago, she got into that car accident, and when the hospital ran out of blood, Mr. Jabs didn't hesitate to donate most of his own, saving her life. And just last year, she disappeared for an hour, and he mobilized every media outlet to search for her. Now she's leaving him like this? He's going to lose his mind!"

Esme smiled bitterly as she walked away, their voices faded behind her. Yes, everyone knew how deeply Isaiah Jabs loved her.

It was practically a legend—Isaiah Jabs, CEO of Jabs Group, ruthless and decisive in the business world, famous for his cold and aloof personal life, and utterly indifferent to women. No one dared to get within three feet of him.

That was, until that fateful gala where he met Esme.

He fell for her at first sight and pursued her relentlessly. Mansions, luxury cars, and priceless jewelry seemed like small tokens to him. He even lit up the night sky with fireworks for three days straight to declare his love.

Once, she casually mentioned missing a rare chestnut cake that had been out of production for years. That same night, in the middle of a snowstorm, he drove through three cities to find it and returned soaked to the bone, holding the still-warm dessert in his hands.

However, what truly moved Esme was the day her parents tragically passed away in a car crash. Even though Isaiah was miles away on an important business trip, he abandoned a billion-dollar deal without hesitation to rush back to her side.

When he finally arrived, disheveled and sleep-deprived, his eyes bloodshot, he wrapped her in his arms with nothing but tenderness.

"Essie, sweetheart, you still have me. I'll always be here for you."

The depth of his love was written all over his face, and her heart skipped a beat. She told herself he was the one back then.

Sadly, this man, who once had eyes only for her, could not resist temptation three months ago. He gave in and had an affair with the younger sister of his so-called best friend, who was staying at their house.

The evidence was everywhere—the living room couch, the kitchen, even their bed—tainted by the betrayal. Isaiah thought he had hidden it well, but no secret stays buried forever.

When Esme uncovered the truth, it shattered her. She cried, despaired, and doubted everything, but eventually, she accepted the cruel reality. In the end, she decided to leave him for good.

The Jabs family had a strict tradition spanning three generations. Everyone, including Isaiah, was bound to serve their country and forbidden from leaving it. Once she left the country, he would never be able to find her again.

Esme tucked her immigration documents into her bag, hailed a cab, and headed for Harmony Manor. As soon as she entered the villa, the scent of blooming privet filled her nose. Then, she saw two people decorating the wall and turned at the sound of her footsteps.

Isaiah froze for a moment before his expression softened, his eyes brimming with warmth as he approached and gently took her hand.

He asked, "Baby, why are you dressed so lightly? Are you cold? Didn't you say you were meeting your friends? How come you're back so soon? I was still preparing a surprise for you."

Esme looked up at Isaiah, puzzled. However, her eyes lingered on his neck. There, barely hidden, was a cluster of unmistakable hickeys.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly as she struggled to suppress the stabbing pain in her chest. When she did not respond, Audrey Coleman let out a soft, deliberate laugh and strolled over.

"Esme, Isaiah is just so in love with you. He's gone all out for your anniversary of when you first met..." Audrey paused theatrically, then gestured toward the couch piled high with gifts. She exclaimed, "Look at these! All of them are from Isaiah, just for you."

Esme followed Audrey's gaze, but her attention was immediately drawn to the darkened stain spreading beneath the gifts.

In that moment, it felt like lightning struck her. The scent she had noticed earlier, combined with this unmistakable evidence, confirmed the horrifying truth she had suspected.

Isaiah's so-called love for her involved buying her extravagant gifts while passionately entangling himself with Audrey on their couch. They had done it so recklessly that they even left behind a blatant stain.

The pain cutting through Esme was indescribable, sharp enough to pierce her very soul.

Isaiah was oblivious to Esme's turmoil. He took out a necklace he had prepared and gently placed it around her neck. His voice was so tender, it was almost suffocating.

"Baby, happy anniversary. I even prepared a candlelit dinner for us."

Esme's body trembled as she shook her head. "I'm not hungry... I don't feel well."

Every second spent near Isaiah now was pure agony. She had always told him she had no tolerance for betrayal.

If Isaiah loved her, he would have to love her wholeheartedly. If not, he should have stayed far away. Yet, here he was—professing undying love while tearing her heart apart.

When Isaiah heard her say she was not feeling well, he immediately panicked. He called several private doctors to examine her, and when they found nothing wrong, he was still unsatisfied.

Later, Isaiah sent his assistant out to buy an assortment of herbal remedies and brewed some warm milk himself for her. He fussed over her for about five hours until she finally fell asleep.

...

Esme woke up in the middle of the night, parched. She quietly got out of bed, intending to fetch some water. However, the moment she opened the door, she froze.

The door to the guest room across the hall was wide open, and the pale moonlight illuminated the bed. There, she saw Isaiah, his body tangled with Audrey's, both of them naked.

"That necklace you gave Esme today is worth millions," Audrey said, her legs still wrapped around his waist, her tone dripping with jealousy.

"I begged you for so long, and you wouldn't give me one. Yet Esme didn't even lift a finger, and you handed it to her without hesitation."

Isaiah frowned, pulling away from her and sitting at the edge of the bed to light a cigarette. He said coldly, "Have you forgotten your place? I've told you—I only love Esme."

"If you want this arrangement to continue, it has to stay a secret. If she finds out, you know what'll happen."

Audrey's face paled, but she climbed up behind him, wrapping her arms around his torso and pressing her bare chest against his back.

"I know you love her," she whispered, her voice laced with desperation. "But I love you too. Can't I just be a little jealous?"

Isaiah did not respond. Instead, he bent down, pulled a box from the drawer, and handed her a necklace—identical to Esme's, but in a different color.

He warned, "Stop acting pitiful. Here, I got you one too. But you can only wear it in private. If she ever finds out, this is over."

Audrey's face lit up as she quickly took the necklace and held it against the bruises on her neck.

"Thank you, Isaiah! I knew you cared about me too," she purred, her voice sickeningly sweet. "But are you really that scared of Esme leaving you?"

Without a second of hesitation, he replied, "Yes. If she leaves me, I'll lose my mind."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he pinned Audrey beneath him again, their bodies moving together as the bed creaked loudly. Her moans filled the air, one after another.

Standing frozen in the doorway, Esme watched, tears streaming silently down her face. Her red, swollen eyes shifted to the wedding photo on the wall, Isaiah's smiling face staring back at her mockingly.

"Isaiah, I can't wait to see you lose your mind," she whispered hoarsely, her voice trembling with heartbreak.

Chapter 2

Esme was jolted awake by the sound of shouting early in the morning. She opened her door and saw a disheveled woman standing in the garden of the neighboring house, gripping a man's shirt tightly as she screamed with all her might.

"Connor, I've loved you for ten years and had your children! You promised me when we got married that you'd love me forever. And now, just a few years later, you dare to cheat on me and keep a mistress behind my back?"

Even though it was still early, plenty of people were out for a walk around the lake and had overheard the explosive argument. As a crowd began to gather, the man—clearly someone with a reputation to protect—yanked the woman toward their house, his expression darkening.

"Why are you causing a scene? I've told you before, no man in this world stays completely faithful!"

Esme stood there, dazed by the sight. Suddenly, a pair of warm hands covered her ears gently from behind.

"Essie, don't listen to such filth," Isaiah murmured.

Esme did not turn around. Instead, she whispered, "Do you think all men eventually cheat?"

Isaiah froze, then turned her to face him. His gaze was calm and full of sincerity as he said, "I can't speak for others, but I won't. Essie, you're the only one I'll ever love."

"You'll only love me in this lifetime?" she asked, her voice tinged with skepticism. "But a lifetime is so long."

Isaiah pulled her into his arms, his warm breath brushing against her ear. "A lifetime is long, but I only want you."

Esme finally let out a laugh, though it carried a trace of bitterness. "What if, one day, you betray me?"

He replied, "If I ever betray you, I'll be struck by lightning and die a horrible death."

Hearing this, knowing everything she did, her heart throbbed with pain. She asked, "Isaiah, aren't you afraid that such a vicious oath might actually come true?"

He chuckled softly. "It won't. No one knows better than me how much I love you. If you don't believe me, I'll carve out my heart to prove it. And if that's not enough, I'll give you my entire life."

Esme's mind was buzzing. If he could give her his entire life, why could he not control his own body? Even now, with traces of another woman still lingering on him, he could stand there and tell her the sweetest lies.

A voice interrupted them from the doorway, shattering the moment. "Esme, Isaiah, what are you two doing?"

They turned to see Audrey standing there in a strapless red dress, leaning casually against the frame.

Isaiah tensed immediately, and his brow furrowed. "It's the weekend. Why are you dressed like that? Where are you going?"

His tone did not sound like a brother checking on his sister—it felt more like a husband interrogating his wife, with a hint of jealousy over how stunning she looked. Audrey seemed to notice, and she smiled bashfully.

She replied, "Our company is hosting a networking event tonight. I'm planning to scope out a boyfriend, so I won't be home tonight."

Isaiah's expression darkened instantly, while Audrey's smile only grew wider. "By the way, do you two have any plans for today?"

Isaiah snapped out of it, taking Esme's hand. "We're going to visit the Jabs estate today."

Audrey chuckled, saying, "Send my regards," as she walked out the door.

...

Half an hour later, Isaiah was driving them to his family's estate.

Isaiah's parents had never been fond of Esme as their daughter-in-law. They believed she had turned their once-proud son into a love-struck fool, nearly costing him his life. On top of that, their years of marriage had not produced a child, which only fueled their disdain.

Whenever they visited, Isaiah's parents were cold and hostile toward Esme. He hated seeing her treated that way and avoided visiting them as much as possible.

However, word came that his mother, Adeline Eaton, was not doing well, so he had no choice but to bring Esme along.

The moment they stepped into the grand estate, the lighthearted conversation between Isaiah's parents came to an abrupt halt, and their faces turned icy.

Isaiah noticed their attitude immediately and snapped, "If you keep acting like this, Essie and I won't visit anymore."

His father, Donovan Jabs, slammed his hand on the table in outrage. "How dare you! Is this how you talk to your parents? Are you really going to throw us away for a woman?"

Isaiah held Esme's hand tightly, refusing to back down. "I've said it before—Essie is the love of my life. I'm afraid to even raise my voice around her, yet you treat her like this. It's like you're tearing my heart out. If this ever happens again, don't blame me for breaking our family ties!"

Chapter 3

No one expected Isaiah to be so resolute. The living room fell into a dead silence. However, as Esme looked at the man who was fiercely defending her, her heart remained unmoved.

Seeing that their son was serious, Adeline relented with a sigh. "Fine, let's eat."

At the dining table, the only sounds were the clinking of utensils and the occasional disapproving huffs from Adeline. Esme's hand tightened around her utensils. She knew those huffs were a prelude to what was coming.

Sure enough, Adeline put down her spoon and said, "We won't meddle in everything, but at the very least, you owe us a grandchild. You can't just let our family line end with you two."

Isaiah immediately set his utensils down, his expression sharp. "I've told you before, Essie is afraid of the pain. I won't let her go through that for me. I'd rather never have kids than see her suffer!"

Isaiah's parents lost their appetite entirely.

Just as another argument was about to erupt, Esme suddenly spoke. "In two weeks, Dad, Mom, you'll have a grandchild."

Her words left everyone stunned.

Isaiah grabbed her hand, his tone filled with concern. "Essie, what are you saying? We agreed not to have kids. You don't need to sacrifice yourself for me."

Esme glanced at his righteous expression and curled her lips into a faint smile. She had promised them a grandchild, but she never said it would be hers.

In two weeks, she would be out of the country. If he liked Audrey so much—spending every night with her—it only made sense for her to be the one to bear his child.

With a calm smile, she said, "It's what they want. We should respect their wishes."

Isaiah looked at her, and for a moment, unease crept into his heart. Her sudden understanding felt unsettling.

However, Isaiah's parents were delighted, their frowns turning into smiles. Adeline even cheered, "That's more like it!"

Isaiah still felt something was off and was about to ask more when his phone buzzed. Glancing at it, his expression shifted slightly.

Esme, sitting close, caught a glimpse of the screen. It was a message from Audrey, reading, "Isaiah, there's a guy here who's interested in me and wants my number. Should I give it to him?"

She silently counted in her head, "One second. Two seconds. Three seconds..."

Right on cue, Isaiah stood abruptly. "I'm sorry, Essie. Something came up at work. Stay here and finish dinner; I'll come back to get you later."

Before she could respond, he rushed out the door, leaving even his coat behind. As soon as Isaiah left, his parents dropped the pretense. Their criticisms came at her like a storm.

"How many years have you been married now? And still no child? Aren't you ashamed?"

"You come from a small family with no status. Both your parents are gone. If it weren't for Isaiah's feelings, do you really think you could be Mrs. Jabs? He married you, and it's the worst luck of his life."

"And don't you dare cry! Don't think you can go tattling to Isaiah later. Every daughter-in-law gets scolded. Isaiah's busy enough, so don't you dare trouble him with trivial things!"

...

Isaiah's parents berated her for five hours. It was not until evening that Isaiah returned to pick her up.

As the car smoothly cruised down the road, Esme suddenly asked, "Did you finish everything at the office?"

Isaiah hesitated for a moment before replying warmly, "It's all taken care of."

He drummed his fingers lightly on the steering wheel, a small habit of his when he was in a good mood.

When she did not respond, Isaiah seemed to sense something and asked, "They didn't give you a hard time, did they?"

Esme was about to answer when something under the passenger seat caught her eye—a torn pair of polka-dot stockings. She instantly knew he had gone to meet Audrey, but she had not expected that they would do it in the car.

They had been married for five years, and she had always been conservative about intimacy. Afraid he might find her boring, she had once asked, blushing, if he wanted her to change.

He had pulled her into his arms, kissed her, and said, "Baby, I only have feelings for you. Even if you wore rags, I'd still be drawn to you. You don't have to force yourself to do things you don't like. The one who loves you will always cherish you."

Yet, the man who had once been so devoted to her was now indulging in things with someone else—things that he had never even hinted at with her.

Her eyes reddened as she quietly asked, "What do you think?"

Isaiah was oblivious to the fact that she already knew everything and assumed her tears were from dealing with his parents. He quickly pulled the car over and hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry, Essie. This is my fault. I shouldn't have left you alone. I promise I won't let you go through this again."

Trapped in his embrace, Esme felt suffocated. She fought back her tears and pushed him away. "Just drive."

After all, there would not be a future for them anyway.

Chapter 4

Esme stepped inside the house while Isaiah stayed outside to park the car. She froze at the sight of Audrey lounging on the couch in a silk nightgown, munching on snacks and watching TV.

Feigning casualness, Esme asked, "Didn't you say you had a mixer tonight and wouldn't be home?"

Audrey smiled coyly, lowering her gaze as if shy. "Oh, Esme, I totally forgot to tell you. I actually fought with my boyfriend, so I went to the mixer just to piss him off. But, guess what? The moment I got there, he showed up, furious, and dragged me out."

Audrey leaned forward, pulling down her neckline to reveal faint marks scattered across her skin. She threw Esme a sly glance.

She added, "I never thought he'd be that jealous. He got so worked up, we ended up going at it three times in his car."

Esme clenched her fists so hard that her nails dug into her palms, the pain barely keeping her grounded. She forced a deep breath. "A boyfriend? You've never mentioned him before. When did this start?"

Audrey tilted her head as if pondering, then replied nonchalantly, "About three months ago."

Three months was the exact time Audrey had moved into the Jabs residence, supposedly because Isaiah's friend had asked him to look out for his younger sister. It became clear—Audrey had been involved with Isaiah since day one.

Esme's chest tightened, but before she could say more, a warm, familiar hand landed on her shoulder.

Isaiah's voice was gentle as he walked in. "Essie, you've had a long day. Let me run you a bath so you can relax, okay?"

Before she could protest, he ushered her toward the bathroom.

...

Esme was about to undress when she realized she had forgotten to bring fresh clothes. She opened the door, only to see something that made her blood run cold.

Isaiah was on the couch, pinning Audrey down as he tugged impatiently at her nightgown. His lips trailed down her neck to her collarbone, his hands gripping her waist tightly.

Audrey's voice rose in breathy gasps. "Isaiah, slower! Esme's just in the bathroom. Didn't you get enough earlier in the car?"

His grip tightened, and he growled, "Shut up. If you dare see another man again, I'll—"

Audrey smirked, her eyes suddenly flicking to Esme standing frozen at the door. With a sly, mocking smile, she tilted her head back, whispering seductively, "Alright, alright. I'm all yours, you jealous maniac."

Esme could not bear to watch anymore. She snatched up her clothes and slammed the bathroom door shut. Inside, she sank into the warm bathwater, but her mind was stuck on the scene she had just witnessed.

The betrayal was suffocating. Memories of their honeymoon flooded back—the way Isaiah had once been just as obsessed with her.

Five years ago, on their honeymoon trip to a tropical island, she glanced at a shirtless man on the beach. Isaiah had dragged her back to their suite, seething with jealousy.

He did not let her step out for the rest of the week, claiming her as his over and over again until their bed broke. At the time, his possessiveness had seemed romantic.

"Essie, don't look at anyone else. Don't ever leave me," he pleaded tearfully.

His words had melted her heart. Now, it only felt cruel.

Esme emerged from the water hours later, her skin wrinkled and her resolve hardening. When she returned to the bedroom, Isaiah was there alone.

On the table beside him were a plate of freshly sliced fruit and a steaming cup of tea. He lit up when he saw her and handed her the cup with a sheepish smile.

He said, "I calculated your cycle. Your period's coming up soon, right? I made you some tea to ease the cramps—you'll feel better after drinking it."

Esme accepted the cup, staring at the rising steam, but it brought her no comfort. How could he pretend to care so much, moments after being with someone else?

The weight of his façade pressed heavily on her, and it lingered through the night. When she finally began to doze off, Isaiah suddenly shouted in his sleep, "Essie!"

He bolted upright, his face pale and drenched in sweat. His hands fumbled in the dark until they found her, and he pulled her into his arms, shaking.

"Essie, don't leave me," he begged, his voice cracking. "I had a nightmare. You left me, and I—"

His words broke off, and he buried his face in her hair. "Thank God you're still here."

Esme lay stiffly in his arms, her mind screaming the truth she could not utter aloud, "Soon, I'll be away from you."

...

The next morning, Isaiah insisted she accompany him to work. Esme tried to decline, but his pleading wore her down, and she reluctantly agreed.

At his office, Esme noticed framed photos of herself scattered across his desk. He slid his arms around her from behind, nuzzling her neck.

"You see these? Some women here don't know boundaries. Putting your pictures up stops them from getting any ideas. Don't worry. Your husband's loyal to you."

Esme smiled faintly, though she said nothing. She could not find the right words to speak.

Moments later, his assistant knocked to remind him of an upcoming meeting. Isaiah reluctantly let her go, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead before leaving.

Alone, Esme wandered aimlessly around the building, hoping to kill time. By midday, her phone buzzed. The caller ID read "Immigration Office".

"Ms. Shepherd, we need you to come in to sign the final paperwork for your immigration application," the voice said.

Esme's lips parted to respond, but before she could, a cold, familiar voice interrupted her from behind.

"What immigration?"

Chapter 5

Esme spun around and found Isaiah standing behind her, his expression drastically changed. She quickly ended the call, but Isaiah rushed forward, grabbing her hand.

He asked, "Essie, who's immigrating?"

Esme kept her face straight. "It's just a classmate. She's planning to move abroad and wanted to meet up before leaving."

Isaiah's panic subsided at her composure, never suspecting she might lie. Even so, he still pulled her into a tight hug and muttered, "You scared me. For a second, I thought it was you."

Esme's lips twitched into a faint smile. "It's just immigration. Why are you so dramatic about it?"

Isaiah's heart was still pounding as he explained, "Essie, you know my family's background—generations in the military. Moving abroad isn't an option for me."

He paused, his grip on her tightening as if to anchor himself. "If I ever mess up, you can yell at me, hit me, or even kill me, but please don't leave the country. I wouldn't be able to find you, and that would kill me more than anything."

Esme stayed silent in his embrace, her faint smile hiding her true thoughts. She murmured, "I understand."

Perhaps sensing something was amiss, Isaiah stuck by Esme's side for the next few days, refusing to let her out of his sight. Even when his friends invited him to a new lounge for a gathering, he insisted on bringing her along.

Isaiah's constant vigilance worked against Esme's favor, as she had no opportunity to slip away to the immigration office. Resigned, she accompanied him to the lounge. As soon as they entered the private room, Isaiah's friends greeted them with warm enthusiasm.

Someone said, "Esme, relax and enjoy yourself. We know you like quieter vibes, so we swapped the usual music for piano tracks and cleared the place out just for you."

"Yeah, Isaiah made sure everything here suits your tastes, including your favorite desserts."

"Come, Esme, sit here! The fruit's all washed and sliced."

Isaiah raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. "When did you guys get so good at buttering her up?"

One of them laughed and shrugged. "Everyone knows Esme's the love of your life. If we don't treat her right, how could we expect you to keep hanging out with us?"

"Exactly! The moment you got married, you ditched us for her. We've accepted it. Now, we just want to join you in pampering Esme!"

Laughter filled the room, lightening the atmosphere. But just as the mood peaked, a petite figure suddenly walked in—it was Audrey.

The manager rushed forward to intercept her. "I'm sorry, miss, but we're hosting VIPs tonight and aren't accepting other guests."

Audrey brushed past him without a second thought, smiling brightly as she addressed the room. "Esme, Isaiah! So it was you who booked the place. What a coincidence. You don't mind if I join you, right?"

Before anyone could respond, Audrey strolled over and sat down beside Esme. Under the dim lighting, she casually slid Isaiah's hand under her skirt.

Esme's body stiffened, and her gaze instinctively darted to Isaiah. His expression shifted the moment Audrey appeared, as though he wanted to kick her out. Yet, when she guided his hand, he shut his eyes briefly, his fingers subtly moving.

In that instant, Esme felt a weight on her chest. She fought to maintain her composure, pretending not to notice a thing.

Halfway through the gathering, Esme excused herself to the restroom. She splashed cold water on her face repeatedly, trying to steady herself. However, her thoughts spiraled until a mocking voice broke through the silence.

"Esme, not to be rude, but you're so young. Why do you dress so… dull?"

Esme raised her head and saw Audrey's reflection in the mirror, her gaze laced with disdain.

"Look at me," Audrey said, unbuttoning her coat to reveal a red, lacey lingerie set.

"People say men are visual creatures, slaves to their desires. How about a little wager? If I tell Isaiah I'm wearing this, do you think he'll stick with you or sneak off to take me right here?"

Esme's hands trembled slightly, but she said nothing. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she dried her hands and walked back to the private room.

...

Moments later, Audrey returned as well. As she passed Isaiah, she subtly tapped on his phone. Curious, he opened it and read a brief text, his Adam's apple bobbing as his gaze darkened.

Without a word, he slid his phone into his pocket and stood up abruptly. He said, "Essie, I need to step out and make a quick call. Stay here—I'll be right back."

Before she could respond, he was already gone. A few minutes later, Audrey also made an excuse to leave.

Esme watched them disappear, her chest tightening with each passing second. She suppressed her breathing, but the pain in her heart burned hotter with every beat.

Her thoughts twisted into something darker. If she were drowning in misery, then she would drag Isaiah down with her, making him suffer just as much.

The evening turned into night, but Isaiah never returned. His absence created an awkward tension among his friends, who exchanged uneasy glances. Finally, one of them stood up, offering to drive Esme home.

"He's probably tied up with something urgent," the man said, though his words felt hollow.

Esme found it laughable, wondering what could possibly hold his attention more than Audrey. Even so, she said nothing, letting them escort her to the car.

However, just as she stepped inside, she realized she had left her purse behind. When she went back to retrieve it, a voice inside the room stopped her in her tracks.

"Finally, she's gone! If we had to keep this act up any longer, I'd definitely slip. How the hell does Isaiah manage to keep up the façade in front of Esme?"

Chapter 6

Esme stood frozen at the door as the conversation inside continued, completely unaware of her presence.

"Isaiah and Audrey—are they still at it? It's been, what, almost five hours?"

"Why rush? Isaiah's always been intense, and Audrey's got that pull. They won't be done until tomorrow."

"But they're being so obvious about it. I heard them going at it in the next room. I even heard the moans, but thankfully, I had the music turned up, so Esme didn't catch on. You have no idea how nervous I was."

"Why would you be nervous? If you were like me, you'd be used to it. Isaiah finally found a woman who is into him. He's not stuck on Esme anymore. We've got to help him enjoy his freedom, right? Let him have his fun!"

"Esme's attractive, but she's so uptight. Probably just lies there in bed like a blowup doll. I mean, who doesn't want someone more exciting, right?"

After that, Esme could not hear anything else. Her ears were ringing as she stumbled toward the door, lost in a daze. It seemed that everyone knew—everyone but her.

These "friends" were polite to her face, yet behind her back, they were helping Isaiah cover his tracks and shamelessly mocking her. Esme felt as if her heart was being torn apart, and the pain spread through her entire body.

The rain was pouring outside, but she did not notice. She walked on, like a soulless, lifeless shell, each step heavy with the weight of betrayal.

Esme walked straight to the immigration office, her appearance disheveled, and signed the papers. Then, she went home, locked herself in her room, and shut the world out.

...

The next day, Esme developed a high fever.

Isaiah returned to find her delirious and barely able to recognize anyone. He was terrified and rushed her to the hospital, nearly losing his mind in the process.

Luckily, it was just a mild cold, and after a long day and night of IV fluids, she started to come around. However, Isaiah was shaken by the experience. He not only booked the entire floor of the building for her but also stopped going to work, staying by her side at all times.

But then, one day, his assistant entered the room, saying an extremely important client had arrived and insisted on seeing him. Isaiah frowned, about to decline, but the assistant whispered something in his ear.

Isaiah's expression shifted, and he reluctantly pulled his hand away from Esme's. "Essie, I—"

Before he could finish, Esme calmly cut him off, her eyes closing as she said, "Go ahead."

Isaiah stared at her, his heart suddenly aching. He had noticed something was off, but with his appointment pressing, he convinced himself she was just moody from being sick. He told himself she was fine, that he was overthinking it.

Later, Isaiah instructed the nurse to take care of Esme, promised to return soon, and left the room in a hurry.

...

Three days later, Esme still had not heard from him. Instead, she received a call from Audrey.

Audrey's smug voice came through the phone. "Esme, I've got some good news. I'm pregnant, and guess who the father is? Your beloved husband."

She continued, "He's been taking such good care of me these last few days. He's been so attentive, carrying me to bed and feeding me by hand. And guess what? The doctor said we don't need to use any protections since it's already three months into my pregnancy.

"He was so excited, he couldn't wait. That night, he had me all over the place, trying every position he could think of. It was exhausting but also amazing. I love it."

"Oh, and I didn't mean to say so much. Don't be mad, okay? But, really, compared to your fever, his baby is more important, don't you think?"

Audrey's words were venomous, and normally, Esme would have been crushed. But strangely, Esme did not shed a single tear. She just pressed the record button on her phone.

She thought, "Isaiah, I can't wait for you to hear this recording."