Chapter 2

With the tablet in my hands, I left Zach's bedroom and headed straight for Shayne's study.

But I couldn't understand...

Out of everyone, why Luna?

The first time I heard about Luna was at my wedding.

Shayne treated me well back then.

When I was feeling down, he would tell me it was okay, and that nobody was perfect. He would patiently stay with me until I felt better. When I got sick, he would drop everything to take care of me.

Because of that, I resolutely decided to marry for love, even if that meant moving far away from home.

Just as I was in a pure white wedding dress, holding a bouquet that signified purity and looking forward to our life together, I overheard his friends discussing his first love.

"I always thought Shayne and Luna would end up together. They were so passionately in love back then."

"Exactly. They looked like a match made in heaven."

"What a pity."

The regret in their voices was genuine.

At that moment, I began to doubt whether Shayne truly loved me.

Just as I was about to ask Shayne for clarification, I saw him approach his friends with a dark expression.

"I've told you countless times that I hated Luna!" His voice was filled with anger I had never felt from him. "If I didn't make myself clear before, I'm telling you now—if you mention her in front of me again, we're done!"

I felt reassured the moment I heard those words.

It turned out he not only didn't love Luna, but he hated her.

Now, I was confused.

Considering the circumstances, why would he bring our child to Luna after she came back?

For the first time, I began to doubt my marriage I had always thought was happy.

I didn't knock on the door as I usually would to show respect for Shayne. Instead, I immediately pushed open the study door.

Shayne was focused on his work. Only when he heard the door open did he slowly turn around. When he saw it was me, he quickly put down his work, stood up, and walked toward me. "Honey? What's wrong?"

His voice was gentle and warm.

It felt as if we were still at that stage when we were most passionately in love with each other.

As I listened to his concerned voice, my tears began to flow uncontrollably.

Even at this moment, he still appeared to love me...

Yet, this was the very person who had betrayed me.

Moments later, he stopped in front of me.

Standing at 6'2", he was considerably tall. Although he exercised regularly, he was not heavily built. His well-proportioned physique gave a strong sense of security.

He reached out to wipe away my tears, softly comforting me. "Did our boy make you angry again?"

My voice trembled and became choked. "No."

Shayne wanted to press on, but I didn't want to hear it any longer.

"I saw the chat records in the group," I blurted out.

Shayne's large hand left my cheek. "What group?"

Through my flowing tears, I glared at him.

Was he really going to keep playing dumb at this point?

I unknowingly raised my voice, nearly shouting, "The 'Happy Family' group you and Luna Sider are in!"

As though he couldn't bear seeing me upset, Shayne stepped closer and embraced me, gently patting my back. "Honey, please try to calm down."

I felt high-strung physically and mentally, like a bowstring ready to snap at any moment.

Shayne explained, "That group was something Zach insisted on creating."

But how did Zach get to know Luna? What experiences had he shared with Luna, and how deep was their bond that it had reached the point where he called her "Mom?"

Shayne was only trying to shift the blame. He had never considered how he was the root of all this.

I shut my eyes. "Shayne..." Calling his name drained me of all my strength. "I read the whole chat. Don't take me for a fool, okay?"

Shayne fell silent.

After hearing no response from him for a long time, I turned to go back to the bedroom.

However, Shayne hugged me from behind right then. "I'm sorry."

I stopped in my tracks.

Shayne carefully chose his words. "This is mainly my fault. I should've acted within reason. I only thought about how tired you must be taking care of the child every day. I wanted to help share the burden."

Hah!

Not finding time to spend with me and the child for even a day, yet always managing to squeeze in time to play around with another woman?

Was that his idea of sharing the burden?

I struggled hard, trying to break free from his embrace.

However, Shayne refused to let go. "But I didn't think you would mind. It's my fault! I promise I won't contact her again. I'll leave the group with Zach. I'll also delete her from my and Zach's contacts.

"Aralyn, please, won't you give me another chance? I promise to take good care of you from now on. I will also keep my distance from other women."

Shayne's voice gradually grew somewhat pitiful. "For the sake of our years together and our son… Aralyn, please don't abandon me."

As I listened to his pitiful tone filled with fear of abandonment, I couldn't help but think of Zach.

He was so young...

He didn't understand anything yet, but after spending only some time with Luna, he was already showing signs of being led astray. Coupled with Luna's deliberate indulgence, he was frequently hospitalized.

If I divorced Shayne and let him and Luna be together, Zach would likely have to suffer in the days ahead.

And so, I could only compromise.

"Okay."

It was incredibly difficult for me to answer him even though I only uttered one word.

Upon hearing this, Shayne grasped my waist with his large hands, forcing me to turn around.

I looked up at him.

As Shayne cupped my face, his eyes filled with the joy of having regained something lost. He then kissed me.

Even though the issue had been resolved, Zach's betrayal still felt like a thorn stabbing at my heart.

Before I had completely forgotten about this incident, I didn't want to have any intimate contact with Shayne. I turned my head away to dodge his kiss.

The next second, I was suddenly lifted off the ground.

The sudden feeling of weightlessness made me feel insecure, and I instinctively clung to Shayne.

Shayne chuckled and asked, "Are you still angry?"

I didn't deny it. "I need time."

Shayne's magnetic voice had a seductive tone. "I'll perform well tonight. Can I ask for leniency?"

Usually, I couldn't resist such signals of reconciliation, but this time, I wasn't in the mood.

Shayne seemed to know my answer. However, he didn't give me any chance to refuse as he tossed me onto the soft sheets.

I had just thought about getting up when he immediately pinned me down.

Seeing this, I pushed against his chest with both hands, trying to stop him from what he might do next.

However, Shayne held both my wrists with one hand and pinned them above my head.

He was so strong that I couldn't break free.