Chapter 2

Beyond the silky touch was the firm, smooth contour of muscle.

Just as I was about to undo the last button, Jeffery grabbed my hand.

His face expressionless, he stopped my action with excessive force.

"Naomi, do you realize what you're doing right now?"

I nodded, looking up at him.

"Your father hopes we'll build a life together and have a child."

Jeffery slowly pried my hand away.

He smiled at me, but his eyes were icy.

"You're just as cheap as your mother.

"But then again, what good could come from someone with no morals?"

He shoved me away, smashing the crystal ornament from the side table against me.

Glass shards scattered across the hardwood floor.

I stumbled weakly, crashing hard into the mahogany coffee table behind me.

He stepped on my fingers, looking at me with disgust.

"Don't think having a child means redemption, that you can leave me.

"Naomi, no one will ever love you in this life."

"You should stay by my side like a dog, at my beck and call."

Jeffery's crisp white shirt hung loosely, buttons mostly undone, revealing the chiseled muscles from years of working out.

I glanced once, then calmly looked away.

Since that unpleasant wedding night, Jeffery had never been intimate with me again.

He disdained touching me, always surrounding himself with other women.

Because of this, his father's longed-for grandchild never had a chance.

"Naomi," Jeffery called my name softly.

It was a rare gentle tone.

I looked up. He gazed at me, his eyes unable to hide their mockery.

"Perhaps you should try someone new too.

"Young and energetic people are always different."

I smiled and turned to leave.

I knew he said this just to embarrass me.

If I really did it, he would go berserk.

"Naomi," Jeffery suddenly called out behind me.

I turned back, looking at him questioningly.

He waved his iPhone at me, indicating that I should look at the message.

"There's a gala tonight. Remember to doll yourself up."

…

I was very confused. Jeffery had never taken me to any gatherings before.

After our marriage, he didn’t want to associate with me in public.

But this time—

It wasn't until we stepped into the hotel lobby that I understood why he wanted to bring me to this event.

Arm in arm with him, my gaze fell on a familiar figure not far away.

I froze in place, my feet suddenly feeling like lead.

Dylan Carter... he had actually returned.

Jeffery noticed my stiffness and leaned in to whisper in my ear, “How about that? Excited to see your high school sweetheart?”

He looked up, following my gaze.

Their eyes met across the room.

Jeffery didn’t shy away from the gaze at all; his lips curled into a smile.

Holding his wine glass, he strolled leisurely toward Dylan.

“Mr. Carter, I've heard so much about you.”

His playful gaze lingered on me for a moment.

Then he raised his glass to Dylan. “I hear you're an old classmate of Naomi's. It's a shame you couldn't make it to our wedding.”

Dylan glanced at him briefly, then his gaze slowly settled on me. “Long time no see, Naomi.”

I took a deep breath, and when I spoke, my voice was tinged with hoarseness. “Hi, Dylan.”

The tension in the air was palpable.

I could feel Jeffery's eyes on me, gauging my reaction.

Dylan's presence had caught me off guard, stirring up memories and emotions I had long buried.

Jeffery's grip on my arm tightened slightly, a subtle reminder of his control over the situation.

His voice was light, almost jovial, as he continued the conversation, but I could hear the underlying edge in his tone.

“You know, Dylan, Naomi rarely talks about her past. I'm sure you two have a lot of catching up to do.”

I glanced at Jeffery, trying to decipher his game.

Was he trying to humiliate me, or was there something else at play?

Dylan's eyes hadn’t left my face. “It’s been a long time, Naomi.”

I took a deep breath, and when I spoke again, my voice had a slight rasp to it.