Chapter 2
Calliope’s POV
I found my husband cradling another woman in his arms, his fingers gently combing through her hair with a tenderness I hadn’t experienced in months.
“Thaddeus?” I managed to call out, though my voice turned hoarse at the end.
He looked over at me, his forest–green eyes narrowing in a frown.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded, suspicion dripping from his voice. “Are you following me? Are you spying on us?”
“Thaddeus, I-“I began, but he cut me off, his tone sharp and unforgiving.
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“Save it!” he snapped. “You’re relentless, and yet you have the audacity to spy on us? After everything I’ve done for you, this one small request you couldn’t fulfill–look at what you’ve caused her!”
He moved aside, revealing the woman. Despite the faint swelling and puffy eyes, I recognized her instantly.
It was Zephyrine Hart, his childhood friend who had returned from Everstead seven months ago. I frowned, puzzled as to why she was here with my husband.
The air was filled with the scent of violets and camellias, impacting my senses like an electric shock. A small gasp escaped me as I pieced together why Thaddeus had smelled different for months. When I inquired, he’d claimed he had simply switched shampoos.
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Indeed, he had, but standing here now, the scent was overpoweringly feminine, unmistakably hers.
Perhaps I was overreacting, unable to be certain of anything.
“Really? After everything you put her through, you can’t even ask what happened to her?” Thaddeus‘ cold voice pierced my thoughts.
“What happened to her?” I asked, resigned and weary.
“She had an allergic reaction, thanks to you! I asked you to bring seafood, but you didn’t, and when she got food elsewhere, she reacted!” Thaddeus accused.
His words stunned me, leaving me breathless as I stared at him. My mind
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raced and tears welled up in my eyes. The seafood he’d been urgently demanding led to my accident and the loss of our baby, all because of Zephyrine?
“How… why… didn’t you see all my calls and texts?!” I finally burst out.
Thaddeus seemed caught off guard, glaring at me as he retorted, “When you disregard what I ask, why should I pay you any attention?”
“Thad, let her be. I’m sure Calliope was just busy,” Zephyrine spoke at last.
“Busy?” Thaddeus scoffed, throwing me a disdainful look. “Apologize to Zephyrine right now!”
“Apologize?” I echoed, incredulous.
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“That’s not needed, Calliope. What brings you to the hospital?” Zephyrine asked.
Her question distracted me for a moment, “I was-”
“It hurts, Thad! Ouch!” Zephyrine suddenly. cried out, cutting me off.
Thaddeus turned back to her, enveloping her in a comforting embrace, ignoring my presence entirely, oblivious to the reason for my visit to the hospital.
Behind his shoulder, I caught a glimpse of Zephyrine’s smug expression as she gazed at me. The realization struck me like a blow: she had asked that question deliberately, to highlight Thaddeus‘ lack of concern for me compared to her.
The rest of the day flew by as memories
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Chapter 2
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flooded back, reminding me of the subtle changes in Thaddeus I had foolishly overlooked.
Seven months ago, on our third wedding anniversary, he had abandoned our romantic dinner to pick up a ‘friend‘ from the airport, later introducing Zephyrine into our celebration. I hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but as I replayed the events of the past seven months, I saw how naïve I’d been.
His late nights, mysterious phone calls, the unfamiliar scent–yet I had little concrete evidence to prove infidelity. Perhaps he was just being compassionate towards a friend who had escaped a violent marriage and discovered her pregnancy shortly after arriving.
It was probably all in my head, I mused, eventually drifting off to sleep.
6/7
Chapter 2
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The next day, I was discharged with strict instructions to avoid exertion. I wanted to check on Zephyrine, but the nurses enthusiastically recounted how she had been carried out bridal–style by her ‘husband‘
Trying not to think too much about it, I took a cab home. When I arrived, I noticed two pairs of shoes outside: my husband’s and a woman’s.
Then I heard voices coming from the kitchen. It was Zephyrine.
“Thad, are you sure about this? I don’t want to upset your wife, nor do I wish to impose. Maybe you should discuss it with her first, let her know I’ll be living here from now on.”
