Chapter 4

Garrison said he'd be back soon, but he didn't return until after dark.

He was carrying a cute teddy bear hot air balloon, and his daughter ran into his arms as soon as she saw him.

He pinched his daughter's chubby little cheeks and said, "Do you like it, sweetie? If you do, give daddy a kiss!"

His daughter planted a quick kiss on his cheek, grabbed the balloon, and ran off, her giggles echoing through the room.

He sat down next to me and gently put his arm around my shoulder. "What's wrong with my big baby?"

Then, as if performing a magic trick, he pulled a chocolate bar from his pocket and handed it to me. "I know you're prone to anxiety after having the baby. Here, have some chocolate to calm your nerves!"

He broke off a piece and held it to my lips. "I just got caught up with some errands. Why did you let your imagination run wild and get upset?"

The rich chocolate melted in my mouth, instantly sending waves of pleasure from my taste buds to my nerve endings.

I couldn't help but remember when we first started dating, how he always carried a chocolate bar with him.

He knew I had severe trust issues from my childhood, and whenever I felt anxious or sad, a piece of chocolate would easily melt away my worries.

That sweet indulgence made me temporarily forget life's hardships, allowing us to dream together about the beautiful future ahead.The chocolate in my mouth turned bitter as I witnessed him canoodling with another woman.

I unconsciously glanced up at him, only to notice the red marks hidden beneath his collar and the faint scent of perfume on his body.

A wave of nausea suddenly washed over me, and before I could stop myself, I vomited the chocolate all over his shirt.

Garrison didn't seem the least bit bothered that I had soiled his clothes. Instead, he first wiped the residue from my mouth and then poured me a glass of warm water.

Seeing that I felt much better after sipping some water, he reached into his pocket and slipped a diamond ring I had long admired onto my finger. "Darling, happy New Year!"

He kissed my hand before heading to the shower.

As I stared at the newly placed ring on my finger and the steaming glass of water, I couldn't help but recall the three days after our daughter was born. Garrison had taken care of me tirelessly, even personally helping to clean me down there.

All those memories were still vivid, yet everything had changed so drastically!

Vivienne's phone updated with a new status: "I'll forgive his wild side this time, considering the gift!"

An expensive diamond ring adorned the finger covering her bruised chest.

But she almost immediately retracted the message, sending an apologetic emoji instead: "I'm so sorry, sis! Wrong chat!"

Luckily, I was quick enough to save the picture before it disappeared.

I glanced down at the identical ring on my own finger and felt another wave of nausea. Thank goodness I'd just finished throwing up.

Without a second thought, I took off the ring and stashed it in a drawer.

I definitely don't want this cheap, mass-produced love!

Vivienne had added me on WhatsApp from the very first day Garrison was transferred to her department, always addressing me as "sis" this and "sis" that, warm and natural.

She even kept me updated on her husband's work activities in real-time. I'd long considered her one of my own.

Now, thinking back, every business trip and out-of-town meeting they had was probably just the two of them gallivanting around together. It makes me want to puke all over again.

Who could have guessed that this seemingly family-oriented woman who actively sought my friendship had already been rolling in the sheets with my husband?

After his shower, my husband voluntarily took over caring for our daughter, staying up with her until midnight.

Watching him fall asleep with our daughter in his arms, I felt like I didn't know him anymore.