Chapter 2

She suddenly erupted in fury: "If it weren't for my business dinners, do you think a coffee shop could support this family?"

"So that gives you the right to betray this family?"

My voice was hoarse.

She looked at me coldly.

"Think what you want. Right now, I just want to be with Gunner."

I stood frozen in the living room until she slammed the door shut. Only then was I jolted back to reality by the pitiful meow of our old cat.

I gently picked up the old cat she had pushed over. This orange tabby had been with us for ten years and was once the most beloved mascot of our coffee shop. Now, she had heartlessly kicked it aside.

My phone pinged with a notification - an enormous charge from some luxury boutique. I knew she was off to see Gunner again.

I collapsed onto the sofa, my thoughts drifting back to when we first met.

Back then, I was a teaching assistant at a culinary school. The first time I saw her, I was wearing an apron covered in flour, clumsily trying to make a latte.

Later, I opened this coffee shop and provided all the catering for her event planning company.

Whenever I developed a new item, she was always the first to taste it, never minding the price.

As business gradually boomed, she began to take it all for granted.

Late at night, my phone kept buzzing. It was a friend request from Gunner."Asher, I sent you a dollar. Consider it coffee money."

"If it weren't for Meadow, she would've left you long ago."

Even through the screen, I could feel his contempt.

I lay on the couch in a daze until my daughter's cries jolted me awake.

After dropping my daughter off at school and returning home, I found her sitting at the dining table, eating gracefully.

I didn't ask where she went last night, nor did I inquire about the kiss marks on her collar.

The table was set with leftovers from a high-end restaurant, a half-eaten macaron, and a coffee cup stained with lipstick.

She seemed uncomfortable.

"Leftovers from this morning. I brought them back especially for you."

She pulled out a knockoff watch from her purse.

"To make it up to you. Don't be angry anymore."

I looked at her, too exhausted to say anything more.

"Just leave it there."

In the afternoon, I went to review the accounts, planning to terminate our partnership with her company.

When it was time to pick up my daughter, the school said she had already been picked up.

Returning home, I saw my daughter sitting alone in the living room.

"Mom said she had something to do and left. I haven't eaten yet."

I hugged my daughter tightly.

"Mom probably had an emergency. Dad will make sure to pick you up on time next time."

I cooked a bowl of noodles for my daughter. When I went to feed the cat, I found the cage empty.

"Mom said she was taking Orange for grooming."However, the cat carrier and beauty card were still at home.

When I called her, the call was disconnected. My heart sank as I checked the location app and found she was at our marital home.

I drove there feeling uneasy the whole way. At the door, I discovered the passcode hadn't been changed.

Pushing the door open, I saw a luxuriously renovated apartment before me, far more impressive than our current place.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled, the heating was ample, and expensive decor adorned every corner.

Following the sounds, I entered the master bedroom. The scene before me took my breath away.

She was entangled with Gunner, the bell on his collar jingling with their movements. My heart shattered into pieces.

With trembling hands, I took out my phone to record video.