Chapter 3

I woke up in my hotel room the next day before dawn.

Rather than saying I woke up, it would be more accurate to say I never slept at all.

Every time I closed my eyes, my mind uncontrollably replayed those intimate moments with Matthew from last night.

His burning palm, his restrained breathing, his kiss that nearly consumed me, and at the last moment, his self-mocking words: "We can't."

A strong sense of shame and guilt gripped me deeply.

I had to leave immediately and cut all ties with him.

As soon as it got light, I fled the hotel.

The early morning streets were cold and quiet. In the end, I chose to go home.

I pushed open the front door, and a heavy smell of smoke hit me in the face. Only a dim wall lamp was on in the living room.

William was lying on the sofa, a cigarette between his fingers, burning down to the end, the ashtray already overflowing with butts.

His shirt was wrinkled, his eyes filled with frightening bloodshot veins—clearly he hadn't slept all night either.

Hearing the door open, he jerked his head up, his gaze pinning me like a hook.

He walked over quickly, his voice dry and hoarse, tentative. "Layla, where were you last night? I looked for you all night. Why didn't you answer your phone..."

"Get out of my way!" The image of him and Olivia tangled together last night flashed through my mind again. I cut him off directly, dodging his outstretched hand. "I came back to get some things. We need some time apart to cool down."

I finished speaking and headed straight for the bedroom.

William's hand froze, a flash of darkness in his eyes as he followed closely behind me. "Just because I came home late yesterday? Layla, I was wrong about the anniversary. I apologize..."

I turned to look at him, my eyes colder than ever before. "William, are you really still going to put on an act for me at this point?"

His eyes flickered, avoiding my direct gaze, but his voice forced itself to stay calm. "I don't know what you're talking about."

I pulled at the corner of my mouth, my smile full of mockery. "Then let me remind you—yesterday at Olivia's place, did you have a good time?"

His face changed instantly, his pupils contracting sharply. "Last night outside the door... that was really you?"

So he hadn't been sure before, just testing me all along.

In that moment, my last shred of hope in him was completely shattered.

I looked at him, saying word by word, "I saw you two in bed, saw you kiss her, saw you put your hand on her pregnant belly. William, do I need to be more specific?"

Perhaps knowing he could no longer argue, he tried to grab my hand. "Layla, let me explain, it's not what you think..."

"Don't touch me!" I dodged in disgust, laughing coldly, though tears stubbornly welled up. "Explain how you slept with another woman on our wedding anniversary? Explain how the baby in her belly got there?"

"The baby was an accident! I was drunk that day, just that once! I really don't know how it turned out like this..."

"Once was an accident?" My heart felt like it was being stabbed by countless needles, numb with pain. "What about all the countless times after? Were those accidents too? William, do you think I'm a fool?"

He froze in place, unable to speak.

I turned around and started stuffing clothes from the closet into my suitcase, no longer looking at him. "William, we're done."

Behind me, everything suddenly fell into an eerie silence. Then his arms wrapped tightly around me from behind, his voice low and calm. "Layla, don't say things like that out of anger."

"Don't touch me!"

My body stiffened as I tried to break free, but his arms were like iron bands, not budging an inch. His tone remained gentle. "Between us, it will never be over."

"I admit I made a mistake, but that doesn't mean I don't love you, and it certainly doesn't mean I'll allow you to leave."

My voice trembled with anger. "You slept with another woman, even got her pregnant, and you still have the nerve to say you love me?"

"Your love makes me sick!"

Not only did he not get angry, he trapped me between himself and the closet, madness churning in his eyes. "You can be angry, you can curse me, you can even hit me."

"But leave me? Don't even think about it."

He leaned down, whispering in my ear, his voice as soft as the most intimate murmur between lovers. "Layla, you need to calm down. Get some good sleep."

With that, he actually tied my hands and feet with a scarf and placed me on the bed.

My face went pale as I struggled desperately. "Let me go! William, you've lost your mind!"

"Maybe." He straightened up, looking at me deeply, his tone returning to its usual consideration. "But without you, I'll be even crazier."

With that, he turned and left, closing the door from the outside.

I heard the key turn, the sound of the lock clicking clearly.

"William! This is illegal detention!" I screamed, anger and fear intertwined.

His low, stubborn voice came from outside the door. "Layla, when you've thought things through, we'll be just like before."

His footsteps gradually faded away, and the world fell into deathly silence.

I stared at the room that had become like a cage, despair drowning me like a tide.

The home that was once filled with laughter had now become my prison.

And William, who once promised me a lifetime of happiness, had personally put shackles on me.