Chapter 2
After cleaning up, I filled my belly and then gave Buddy a proper farewell. As I gazed at the small mound of earth in front of me, I found myself lost in thought.
Garrett and I were perfect in society's eyes—a family alliance joining two impeccable pedigrees and appearances. Still intoxicated by my love for the man I secretly admired in school, he was tangled up in a past romance he couldn't let go.
I resisted the marriage, imploring my parents with tears to call off the engagement. However, Garrett sent me roses, his face sincere yet slightly desperate, as he said, "Miss Penelope, if you agree to marry me, I promise to respect and cherish you. I'll address any concerns you have. Trust me."
It was this promise that made me open my heart to him without reservation for seven years. The first four years of our marriage were blissful. He truly did respect and love me, making me believe it would be like this forever.
But everything changed when Rhea came back from studying abroad. What I believed was a strong marriage crumbled easily under the radiant presence of his childhood sweetheart from whom he was once forcibly separated.
While I lay sick in the hospital, he was with Rhea at a café, sharing coffee and reading. On my birthday, he attended Rhea's piano recital. And on Thanksgiving, he watched fireworks at Disneyland, with Rhea by his side.
Through all this, he remained discreet, never slipping up, leaving me with no grounds to confront him. So I forgave him again and again, hoping it would be the last time. Caught between love and resentment, I found myself loving him all the more intensely.
But just three days ago, I understood that Rhea was the untouchable treasure in his heart, and I was merely a trophy to appease his parents. He never truly loved me.
Overwhelmed by sorrow, I fought tears and dialed my assistant’s number. "Juan, draft a divorce agreement for me, as soon as possible."
Before I could hang up, a sweet, gentle voice chimed in from the other end of the line: "Miss Penelope, leaving Garrett for my sake isn’t worth it."
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