Chapter 5

Vivian held a glass of water to my lips, helping me drink.

My body was burning with a fever, my head felt like it was splitting open, and my voice was completely hoarse.

"My phone... give me my phone."

"Asher, don't even think about calling the cops. It won't work."

She was worried I would file a report against Julian.

She cupped my face, her eyes filled with pity.

"You have to believe me. With Julian... I had no choice. There's a reason."

I pushed her hands away, struggling to stand up.

"It doesn't matter. I don't want to know. Vivian, we're done. It's over."

I stumbled into the living room and froze.

On the coffee table sat a framed photo of Vivian and Julian holding a golden retriever puppy.

Next to the frame lay a few unused condom wrappers.

A pair of black stockings lay crumpled on the couch, with a lace thong hanging off the edge.

Beside the couch was a dog bed, lined with a worn-out piece of clothing.

It was a designer shirt I had saved up for months to buy her for her birthday. It cost me $800.

Inside the dog bed was a chewed-up, ruined plush black cat keychain—something she had begged me to hand-make for her years ago.

We had promised that when we got married, we would get a black cat together.

My heart began to spasm in agony again. I gasped for air, suffocating.

"Vivian... you could have just broken up with me. Why did you lie? Why did you give the things I bought you to a dog? Why did you have to drag my love through the mud like this?!"

"Don't call him a dog! That was the puppy Julian and I raised for years. He was family, and he passed away in an accident. Do you have to be so hateful?"

Vivian rubbed her temples, looking exhausted.

"Asher, stop being so childish. My startup went through a massive financial crisis years ago. If Julian hadn't begged his dad to bail me out, I wouldn't have any of this today."

"You should be grateful to him."

How incredibly absurd.

I stared at her blankly, realizing it was useless to speak to her.

"Sure. Whatever you say."

I coldly began searching the living room for my belongings, wanting nothing more than to escape this disgusting woman forever.

But Vivian rushed forward and hugged me tightly from behind.

"Asher, stop throwing a tantrum. Aren't you tired of being broke? I have money now. We don't have to be long-distance anymore. In a few weeks, I'll buy you that luxury penthouse overlooking Central Park you always wanted. We can go back to how we used to be..."

I cut her off, my voice ice-cold. "Vivian, are you asking me to be your side piece, or are you making Julian one?"