Doubly Betrayed

Lucius said, “I won’t let you hurt River.”

Conspiracy theories popped up everywhere online. They said that I used my mother’s death to earn sympathy points and earn money.

They said I was such a virtue signaler that I got jealous of my own sister. That was why my fiance canceled our engagement.

The insanely negative public opinion hit me so harshly that I could not breathe, and I broke down. I was then diagnosed with severe depression.

Even so, I did not give up on trying to seek justice for my mother.

My mother had taken care of me and protected me for twenty-three years. How could I give up on seeking justice for her?

At this time, Dale started trying to win my heart.

He took care of me attentively and protected me in every aspect.

I treated him as my salvation and said yes to his proposal.

After our wedding, the court found River not guilty.

I tried my hardest to put it behind me and get better. I wanted to have a child with Dale and wanted our family to be happy.

To think that my “salvation” was actually proof of Dale’s deep love for River.

Dale held an umbrella and arrived before me at some point in time.

When he saw me, his scowl disappeared, and pity appeared in his eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were going out? I was worried.

“It’s been getting colder too. The company’s also busy at the end of the year. If you get sick, I can’t take care of you.”

I was not surprised that Dale had come after me; he had turned on the location setting on my phone.

He claimed that he was worried that I would have a depressive episode. Apparently, he wanted to protect me at all times.

I believed him.

However, I finally knew that he wanted to keep an eye on me for fear that I would cause River trouble.

I simply blinked. My tears had already run dry as I stared absentmindedly at the snow falling from the sky.

“I heard that making wishes at the first snowfall works, so I came out to make my wishes.”

My first wish was this: I hoped that my divorce with Dale would go smoothly.

My second wish was this: I hoped that I would never meet him again after our divorce.

My third wish was this: I hoped that Mom would not hate me.

I hoped that she would not hate me for falling in love with the accomplice who protected her murderer and even wanting to give birth to his children.

Dale put his coat over my shoulders and flicked my nose affectionately. “You should’ve worn more layers, then. Look at your hands. They’re so cold.

“What wishes did you make?”

I numbly watched him continue with his loving act.

“About us and my mom.”

Dale froze and gave me a meaningful look. “River’s your half-sister. She’s your family, no matter what. She’s sad that your mother died too, and you only have each other left for family. It’s been three years. Why don’t you…”

I knew what he was implying. “I know. I won’t kick up a fuss anymore.”

I had already sued her, and she had not been punished for it.

Back then, I never made an appeal.

Besides, even if I revoked the pardon letter, things would not change.

Dale appeared relieved. His expression did not change, save for the slight curl of his lips. Even so, he still seemed to be in a much better mood.

“I’m glad that you’ve put this behind you, honey. It’s a new year and a new beginning. Let’s spend the rest of our lives together. We’ll definitely be happy.”

I just listened to him quietly.

Soon after, Dale brought me home.

Mark had already left, and Dale said that he was going to work in his study.

I sat in a daze. Countless emotions wreaked havoc in me until I printed out the divorce papers.

I signed them without hesitation and went straight to the study. But I found that the door was only partially shut, and there was no one inside.

This was my first time entering Dale’s study, and it was clean and tidy.

On the desk was River’s photo.

Next to one of the table legs was a piece of paper filled with her name.

Every stroke was filled with a boy’s love.

I thought that I could calmly accept the truth of being betrayed.

However, I could not. It felt as if my heart was being squeezed tightly, and it hurt so much that I was suffocating.