Chapter 2

Sloane gently patted Wilder's hair. The soft, fluffy texture of it soothed the anxiety Easton brought her. "Be good. I'll see you once I'm done." Wilder's brown eyes shimmered with anguish, but he obediently rose to his feet and left with Josh. Only after Wilder's figure disappeared did Sloane take a deep breath. Her gaze landed on the stack of photographs beside her. Fingers trembling, she picked one up, then clenched it into a tight ball. "Lo, I'm home." The moment Easton appeared, holding a bouquet of fresh, vibrant red roses, he saw her sitting alone at the dining table. Sloane shifted her gaze slightly. When her eyes landed on the strikingly red petals, her pupils contracted. A sharp pain clamped around her heart, suffocating her. Easton and Sloane had been together for seven years. And yet, he still didn't remember she was allergic to roses. Unaware of her reaction, he took her hand gently and uttered in a soft voice, "Look, Lo. I bought these for you. Do you like them?" He pushed the bouquet toward her. His gaze was intense and affectionate. But Sloane had always known—this was the same gaze Easton gave even a stray dog. She yanked her hand away and clenched it so tight that her knuckles turned white. "Easton, do you know what day it is?" Easton leaned in with a smile. "Lo, nothing is more important than your happiness." Tears welled up in Sloane's eyes instantly. Her heart plummeted into an abyss. She was drowning in bitterness. She still remembered the early days of their marriage… Easton once flew overseas on the same day just to buy her a piece of jewelry she liked. He used to surprise her with a different gift every single day. He used to accompany her to pottery classes and play escape room games with her without showing an ounce of the arrogance expected from a man of his background. But in their second year of marriage, she discovered Easton was keeping a college girl. Sloane had smashed every piece of jewelry in the house, screamed herself hoarse, and nearly driven herself mad. And Easton? He had held her in his arms just like he did now while whispering the same incomprehensible reassurances. Sloane understood that even if Keke was out of the picture, there would always be another woman like her. She no longer wanted to hold on to this marriage. She had swallowed her grievances and resentment for five years. The sudden ringing of a phone shattered the silence. A woman's voice, choked with sobs, came through the receiver. "Easton, come save me! Someone's harassing me at the bar." Easton's expression turned dark with worry instantly. "I'm on my way." He then ended the call and turned to Sloane. His hands were clenched at his sides. Sloane knew that it was Keke. Only Keke could make Easton wear a worried expression like that. "Sloane! If you have a problem, take it out on me! Why are you bullying Keke? She's just a student!" As Easton kicked the chair beside him, the harsh sound echoed through the dining room. The careful tenderness on his face morphed into raw fury. Sloane froze for a split second, then opened her mouth. "I didn't—" Easton's patience had run out. Any intention of comforting her vanished in an instant. "What? Do you think I don't know that that's your bar? You were harassed in a bar before. Now, you're pulling the same trick on Keke! I won't forgive you if anything happens to her!" With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him. As Sloane watched his restless retreating figure, her lips curled into a bitter smile. Easton never believed her. Between Sloane and Keke, Sloane was the one being thrown aside. Her gaze dropped back to the stack of photographs. One of them showed Easton and Keke wearing matching outfits in different colors. Sloane had once playfully begged Easton, "Red and blue are the ultimate colors for couples! Let's do matching outfits or couple bracelets. Pick one!" And Easton? He had looked at her with pure disdain. "Only kids make choices for something like that. Adults would reject both entirely." But now, not only had he done it, but he had also done it willingly. Sloane slowly tore the photo apart. Her breathing was growing unsteady. Just then, Josh walked in, scooped up the roses, and tossed them into the trash. "Ms. Sedberry, let me take you to the hospital."