A Decade of Lies

I had already drafted the divorce papers, but I didn't know how to bring them up with Rudolf. After all, you couldn't just cut off so many years of feelings like they were nothing.

When I stepped out of the house, I saw a familiar figure by my car—someone so familiar that I couldn't possibly mistake him for someone else.

Rudolf looked tired, leaning against the wall while talking on the phone.

I froze for a moment. According to the investigator's report, today was his son's birthday. He should've been celebrating with his son, so why was he back here?

Perhaps the way I stared at him inquisitively was too obvious, he glanced up with a faint frown. But when his eyes landed on me, the dreariness in them cleared instantly.

"I've missed you so much."

He quickly walked over to me and pulled me into his arms. His body was strong and warm, but right now it felt foreign, and I wanted to push away.

"Yesterday, you sounded off on the phone, so I flew back overnight to come see you. Are you feeling unwell?"

His tone was sincere. It didn't sound like he was lying.

Even now, I still couldn't understand it. How could a man who once loved me so deeply feel no qualms about having a child with another woman? My emotions were surging inside of me, and I almost confronted him for quite a few times, but I forced them down each time.

In the end, I answered calmly, "I'm fine, actually. I'm doing great. I missed you too, to be honest. I'm glad you came back."

He smiled in satisfaction and handed me a box. "This is for you."

I glanced at it and pretended to be happy as I took it.

Over the years, he had given me countless gifts, but none of them had ever truly moved me.

I would cherish them either way because I loved him. Now that I had decided not to love him anymore, the gifts meant nothing.

I opened the box and saw it was a bracelet. I forced a smile and was about to say something when I caught sight of a red dress in the distance from the corner of my eye.

It was Vivian Vargas.

She was half-hidden behind a tree, though I still spotted her. Or perhaps, she wanted me to. She lifted her phone and made a call.

A second later, Rudolf's phone rang.

He looked down, a flicker of panic in his eyes before he masked it. "Honey, there's something urgent at the company. I have to go take care of it."

I wasn't blind. As he answered, I saw Vivian's name as I quickly glanced at the screen.

I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth, took a deep breath, and said, "Go ahead. Work is more important."

There was guilt on his face. "I'll make it up to you when I'm done."

He kissed my cheek before leaving.

Once he was gone, Vivian walked toward me with quick, confident steps. There was provocation in her gaze.

I studied her. She was beautiful and seductive; the tight red dress she was wearing showed off every curve. She was the type of woman men liked.

"Ms. Amelia. I'm Vivian Vargas, a friend of Mr. Rudolf," she said with a smile.

"Just a friend?" I asked in return.

Her smile widened, but she didn't answer directly. Instead, she asked, "Then what do you think our relationship is?"

I didn't bother replying; my expression remained cold as I walked past her. I might be angry, but it wasn't worth it to fight with another woman over a man who didn't have the value.

"You already know, don't you?" Vivian hurried forward to block my path.

I frowned in silence.

"Since you know about me and Sean, you shouldn't be this calm." She looked at me in disbelief, as if she were unhappy with how I reacted.

Perhaps she wanted me to scream and throw a fit like a madwoman.

I kept my temper in check and asked coolly, "What do you want?"

She smirked as she folded her arms. "How about seeing a performance?"