Part 3The Unseen Rival

I stayed at my best friend’s place for half a month.

During that half month.

I saw Kyle’s social media updating daily, and every post carried Jack’s shadow.

[The moon is in the sky, and I have a star.]

The photo showed Kyle’s selfie, and in the corner, the back of Jack, who was on the phone by the floor-to-ceiling window.

[Stars shine forever, and I will follow the light.]

The photo showed a star ring on Kyle’s hand, reflecting light, and a pair of slender, beautiful hands.

They were Jack’s.

[The star opens my eyes!]

The photo was taken in a first-class cabin.

Kyle smiled brightly, next to a sleeping profile.

One thing after another.

My best friend jumped up and down, pointing at Kyle’s social media and cursing: “Holy hell, that cheap bastard! Is Jack so blind he can’t see that conniving snake? No one would believe it!”

My best friend was furious.

I, on the other hand, appeared calm.

I seemed to be nearly through the withdrawal period, and for my best friend’s outburst, I calmly remarked.

“Jack knows perfectly well.”

“Perfectly well?”

My best friend sat next to me.

“Dammit, then why does he claim it’s innocent?”

“In Jack’s eyes, as long as they haven’t rolled into bed together, it’s innocent. After all, he always believes he hasn’t cheated.”

Jack always held onto that bottom line.

So, every time I threw a tantrum, he always had that line: “Kyle and I are completely innocent. Your heart is what’s dirty! To your dirty heart, everything looks dirty.” And I would be silenced, unable to say a word.

Now, looking back at these past events.

I had found peace.

I reminded my best friend: “The moving company will be here soon.”

Jack and I were getting a divorce. I was moving out of the house, so naturally, I had to go to the house to retrieve my belongings.

After all.

My mother’s remaining possessions, her belongings, were still there.

“Good, you’ve thought it through.”

My best friend followed me home, waiting at my doorstep.

I knew from Kyle’s social media that Jack was away on a business trip these days.

I thought Jack and I wouldn’t meet, but to my surprise, as soon as I pushed open the door, I smelled food from the kitchen. As I got closer, I immediately saw Kyle sitting at the dining table with his legs crossed, eating shrimp.

Seeing me come in.

Kyle’s expression froze, like a child caught doing something wrong. He immediately stood up and called out to me.

“Alex.”

I looked at Kyle wearing my pajamas and slippers, then at Jack, whose smile froze as he brought out a dish, then stiffly asked me, “Have you eaten?”

I ignored Jack’s attempt at pleasantries and walked into the room.

I suddenly froze.

All my neatly arranged action figures on the bedside table were scattered. Even the bed was a mess, the wardrobe had clearly been rummaged through, and even the innermost safe was open.

My heart clenched, and I instinctively checked the contents of the safe.

“Alex…”

The safe was empty.

Kyle, standing at the doorway, spoke in a faint voice I could barely hear: “I’m sorry, Ms. Rivers and I lost our luggage on the way back. Ms. Rivers told me to come here to grab some clothes to wear first.”

“I accidentally… opened the safe…”

My mind buzzed, and I turned around to see a piece of jade on Kyle’s hand. My breathing stopped.

“I really didn’t mean it.”

“Alex, please!”

Kyle suddenly lunged at me, then dropped to his knees in front of me, grabbing my arm and crying.

“Please forgive me!”