Chapter 2
After dinner, he suddenly set down his fork and said, “I have to work overtime at the observatory tonight. There's a rare celestial event to monitor.”
I frowned, puzzled. “I didn't hear your phone, and don’t they usually notify you ahead of time? Why is it so last-minute?”
He hesitated for a moment before giving a small, dismissive smile. “It’s a spontaneous observation, kind of a last-minute assignment.”
I nodded, not dwelling on it further.
As night fell, the weather forecast predicted a drop in temperature. Remembering he hadn’t dressed warmly when he left, I decided to drive over to the observatory to bring him some extra layers.
When I arrived at the observatory parking lot, my phone buzzed with a message from his assistant, Raina Martin.
Seeing her name sent a chill down my spine. She had previously acted coy, complaining about not having Professor Gonzalez's private contact.
“But what if I need to reach him in an emergency?” Her feigned innocence echoed in my mind. At the time, Salvador had laughed and said, “What could possibly happen? Don’t let her intrude on our time.”
Eventually, as a courtesy, I had added her.
With hesitation, I opened her message.
In the video, Raina wore a vibrant red dress, the straps teasingly visible. Her demeanor was alluring, with a smug smile on her face. Salvador stood beside her, his coat off, tie hanging loosely, several shirt buttons undone to reveal his collarbone. His eyes were half-closed, an expression of fatigue mixed with relaxation.
The camera slowly panned, and Raina deliberately brushed her fingers over a necklace—a familiar star pendant. Her fingers toyed with the pendant, her smile triumphant, as if staking a claim.
I clutched my phone tightly, the screen growing hot in my hand, yet I felt cold, like I’d been plunged into an icy abyss. Instinctively, I wanted to flee, but anger and pain pierced my heart like thorns, rooting me in place.
As if compelled by fate, I forced myself to approach the observatory door.
The door was slightly ajar, and I held my breath, listening to the voices inside.
Raina's laughter was sweet and lingering. She playfully said, “Professor, do you really like me in a red dress that much?”
Salvador’s voice was low, with a hint of helplessness, “Keep it down… no one should see us.”
“What are you afraid of?” Raina replied with a teasing pout, “It’s so late, who else would be around?”
My chest felt as if it had been struck by a heavy blow. Leaning against the door, my nails dug into my palms. I was on the verge of shouting, but I swallowed the anger and humiliation that rose to my throat.
I don't know how long I stood there, but the sky began to brighten.
Once it was quiet inside, I walked back to my car like a ghost.
My fingers trembled as they reached for my necklace, pulling it off in one swift motion. The cold star pendant fell into my palm. What once symbolized eternity now marked his betrayal.
I clenched the necklace tightly, nearly embedding it into my palm.
With trembling fingers, I dialed my parents’ number back in the States. “What’s wrong, Azalea?” my mother answered.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady the tremor in my voice. “Dad, Mom, I think I need to stay with you for a while.”
There was a brief silence on the other end. Then my mother asked with concern, “Weren’t you about to celebrate your seventh anniversary? Aren’t you staying with him for that?”
I let out a bitter laugh. “It’s not necessary.”
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