Chapter 2

I rarely find myself curious about John and that woman.

John and I have settled into an old married couple’s routine, and he doesn’t guard against me.

He is also confident that I wouldn’t break up with him over his flings outside.

So, it was easy for me to find out about the woman.

Her name is Ella, and in John’s phone, she’s saved as a tiny snowflake.

I opened her profile picture, where she is affectionately wrapping her arms around John’s neck, both making a peace sign at the camera.

John doesn’t have the habit of deleting chat records.

So, I saw that they went to the amusement park together, camped together, cooked together.

Last month, when John went on a business trip, he even took the opportunity to accompany Ella to Switzerland to see the snow-capped mountains.

Sometimes I wonder, when a man and a woman interact, it seems to follow the same pattern.

It starts with dining out, progresses to grocery shopping and cooking.

And in the end?

Few can stay together till old age; most end up parting ways.

On Friday night, I received a call from John.

He said something came up, and he wouldn’t be spending the weekend with me.

This is our current state of life, not very clingy, a simple “something came up” and neither of us would question further.

I knew the reason for his “something,” and typically, my plan for the week would be to go to the yoga studio, then to the beauty salon.

But for some reason, something snapped in me, and I called John’s childhood friend, Henry.

The call connected quickly, and I didn’t waste words: “Do you know where John plans to go this week? He should be taking Ella for a two-day trip nearby?”

In their chat records a few days ago, I saw Ella mention wanting to take a short trip, but John hadn’t agreed at the time.

There was a two-second silence on the other end, then he replied, “I know, we’re going together.”

Then he asked me, “Should I book a room for you?”

With someone else footing the bill, I didn’t mind, “Sure, go ahead.”

Soon, he sent me the location.

It was a nearby tourist spot, and coincidentally, there was a fireworks display this weekend, perfect for a romantic outing.

I asked who else would be there and found out it was just a few of John’s friends.

Most of them brought female companions, and for those who didn’t, given their status, finding one last minute wouldn’t be difficult.

There’s an old saying that birds of a feather flock together; John is a scoundrel, so naturally, his childhood friends are no better.

This is quite common in their circle of wealthy second-generation heirs.

And I, having been immersed in this lifestyle for too long, seem to have accepted this unwritten rule that doesn’t break the law but defies morality.

By the time I arrived at the hotel, it was already late, and the fireworks display was about to start.

I got out of the car, tossed the keys to the valet, and saw Henry waiting at the hotel entrance.

I paused for two seconds, then walked towards him, “Why aren’t you watching the fireworks display?”

He shrugged indifferently, “Not really interested in those.”

“Then why bother coming?”

“The hot springs at this hotel are nice. Besides, if I hadn’t come, I would have missed the chance to see you.”