Chapter 2

In the depths of his mind, he expected me to be sobbing uncontrollably in his arms at this moment. Instead, I simply pushed him away.

Without uttering a word.

Cort froze for an instant, then held me even tighter, earnestly promising:

"Serenity, this won't ever happen again."

"To make amends, I'll take you to a concert later. We'll celebrate your birthday all over again!"

Before I could even nod, Cort's phone began buzzing incessantly in his pocket.

"Brother, I'm so nervous. Could you come be with me?"

Melody's voice drifted faintly through the phone. Even though I didn't want to hear it, I caught every word.

Cort hung up and immediately started spinning more lies:

"Sweetie, I have to go to work. A client's dropped in unexpectedly."

"Don't forget about the concert this afternoon. I'll send a car to pick you up."

I watched Cort's retreating figure, my heart a jumble of emotions.

I sat in a daze for a long while before finally getting ready and heading out to the so-called concert.

I stared at the sign by the entrance. It read "Melody's Tour Concert".

So the supposed apology, the supposed make-up gesture, were just convenient excuses.

The frustration in my heart ignited like a spark to tinder. I made my way backstage, searching room by room.

Then I saw something I couldn't believe.My previous love and current love were embracing Melody, cheering her on:

"Melody, you'll do great today for sure!"

"This song has already won the gold award in the song contest, you're bound to skyrocket to fame!"

Melody was deeply moved, "The three of us will be together forever!"

After a moment, she pouted worriedly: "You're so good to me, won't Serenity be upset?"

"Melody, you're still too kind-hearted."

Cort patted her head, with a cherishing look, comforting her softly.

"If it weren't for you, she would never have gotten my love. She should be thanking you."

Inside the room, there was laughter and tender affection.

Separated by just a door, I hid in the shadows, my face streaked with tears.

In a daze, moments of growing up with Cort and Zoran flashed before my eyes.

Wedding vows, a hand extended in desperation, frame by frame, all burned to ashes in an instant.

I turned away numbly.

Suddenly, a message from Cort came through:

[Sweetie, have you arrived? I'll come pick you up.]

I stared at that message for a long time.

The fire in my heart burned fiercely, scorching me with heart-wrenching pain.

My fingers trembling, I furiously tapped out a reply:

[Why did you lie to me?How can the years of our bond be so easily dismissed?

Do you truly adore Melody that much?

Through tear-blurred eyes, I deleted those words, one by one.

After a long moment, I wiped my face and walked towards the audience seating area.

Just before the concert was about to begin, Cort finally arrived, speaking even before he sat down:

"Sweetie, why didn't you reply to my messages? Did you come in by yourself?"

Without looking at him, I asked, "The concert you mentioned, it's Melody's show?"

"You know I've never gotten along with her or her mother."

Melody interfered in my marriage, while her mother meddled in my mom's.

It seemed like an endless cycle.

At first, when Cort initially suggested I reconcile with Melody,

I was stunned for a long time, then slapped him, calling him heartless.

He comforted me for hours, never mentioning it again afterward.

A flicker of darkness passed through Cort's eyes. He pressed his lips together, then put on a smile:

"Alright, alright. I won't make decisions on my own anymore. Sweetie, can you forgive me?"

I forced a smile, then suddenly noticed his slightly open collar, revealing his neck and collarbone.

There were faint, mottled marks visible.