Chapter 4
I didn’t realize it at first–the subtle overlaps between her posts and my life. The perfume I wore, the bag I carried, even my wedding ring–each item appeared in her feed.
It dawned on me eventually. These weren’t coincidences; they were silent declarations of war.
But I was leaving soon. None of it would
matter anymore.
I became quieter, almost detached.
Gary didn’t return until the third day.
He was still wearing the same clothes, crisp and unwrinkled. Yet, as he moved, I caught a glimpse of faint teeth marks on his collar.
He seemed to notice my indifference.
The day before our wedding anniversary, Gary apologized profusely. He said he shouldn’t have ignored me recently and
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Chapter 4
wanted to make it up by taking me to dinner.
chate,
I agreed. I wanted to leave on my terms, with a proper goodbye.
At the restaurant, I saw Selena outside, live–streaming on her phone.
Gary walked past her without a glance, but the moment we sat down, he turned to his phone.
Through the reflection on the window, I saw her stream.
“This is the restaurant my boyfriend bought for me,” Selena said sweetly. “He the even renamed it Rising Moon just for me!”
Lork
Comments flooded in, a mix of admiration and criticism.
I stared at my untouched plate, my hands editrembling, the final threads of my resolve
unraveling.
mga
After all, everyone knew Selena had failed me to confess her love and had been sent out
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Chapter 4
of the capital by Gary.
Yet here she was, live–streaming with tears in her eyes, arguing pitifully: “What I’m saying is true. Daniel Warren was really given to me by my boyfriend…”
I sat across Gary, casually flipping through the menu, while stealing glances at his face, which was growing darker by the second. His fingers were typing furiously on his phone, his irritation evident.
I paused from ordering, switched to my alternate account, and joined the live-
stream room.
The first thing I saw was Gary’s comment: [This restaurant does belong to Miss Selena.]
His words immediately caused a shift in the tone of the live–stream chat.
“Wait a minute, isn’t that Mr. Hodge‘ s verified account? Didn‘ the personally send Selena away before? Why is he speaking up for her now?”
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“Isn’t it obvious? The person backing Selena must be incredibly powerful. Even Mr. Hodge has to tread carefully.”
“By the way, isn’t Daniel Warren Restaurant one of the top establishments in the capital? It’s worth hundreds of millions, and he just handed it to her? Looks like there’s another maniac who dotes on his mistress after Gary Hodge.
I lowered my gaze, my hand tightening around the phone, suppressing the storm brewing within me.
As soon as Gary‘ s verified account appeared in Selena‘ s live stream, the room’s popularity soared.
“Who dotes on his wife more, Mr. Hodge or the big boss behind Selena?” someone cheekily asked.
Gary’s reputation as a devoted husband had everyone speculating. A poll was even started, pitting Gary’s famed love for me against the mysterious benefactor spoiling
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Chapter 4
Selena. Enthusiasm buzzed in the chat.
Meanwhile, Selena’s bright face lit up with a mix of tears and laughter. “Of course, it’s my boyfriend,” she gushed. “He’s the best man in the world. He he loves me the most.”
says
Across from me, Gary had a gentle smile tugging at his lips, seemingly amused by her playful declaration.
I lowered my phone, realizing my gaze had been fixed on him.
“What’s wrong, wife? Have you decided what to order?” Gary asked warmly.
I shook my head. “I can’t decide.”
“Let me handle it. I know your tastes better than you do.”
As the food arrived, I excused myself to the bathroom.
While there, a strange text buzzed on my phone. I hesitated before opening it.
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Chapter 4
It was from Selena:
[Mary, stop pretending. You clicked on my profile three times yesterday. You know everything, don’t you?]
[And do you know how much Gary loves my body?]
My hands trembled as I stared at the screen, my stomach sinking into a bottomless void.
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