Chapter 6

When Pei Huai woke up in the morning, he gently kissed my cheek, instructed the maid not to disturb me, and then left.

I listened to him leave, slowly got up, and walked toward his study.

He never guarded himself against me.

So I quickly found a wooden box.

Made of pear blossom wood.

With my childhood name carved on it-

Niaoniao.

I made this with my own hands and gave it to Pei Huai as a coming-of-age gift.

At that time, he looked at the scratches on my hands, his eyes reddening with distress.

In front of me, he was never the dignified and indifferent Marquis Pei, but a crybaby who would act spoiled and seek affection.

“Niaoniao, I will definitely treasure this box, and keep my favorite, most precious things inside!”

After we married, I happened to look inside and found it was filled with my portraits. He shamelessly declared that I was his most precious treasure.

My face flushed with embarrassment, but my heart was filled with joy.

But now, I saw another portrait-

A woman in a red silk dress, stunningly beautiful, with a little child sitting beside her, looking just like Pei Huai as a boy.

In the lower left corner, a few words were written-

“To the most precious treasure”

My heart clenched, and my hand tightened instinctively.

Rip.

I actually tore off a corner of the portrait.

At that moment, a familiar voice came from behind:

“Niaoniao, what are you doing here?”

I felt like I should throw the portrait in front of him and question him about who this was.

But I didn’t.

I silently put the portrait back inside, closed the box, and turned to walk toward him.

I smiled faintly, as if nothing had changed.

I said:

“It’s nothing, I was just looking around.”

Looking at the man I’ve cherished in my heart for decades, seeing how he treasures another woman.

Love is love.

Not loving is not loving.

If Pei Huai told me he had fallen in love with another woman, I would be sad and hurt, but I would never cling to him.

But he shouldn’t have lied to me.

Late at night, when Pei Huai was fast asleep, his hand still unconsciously patted my back, gently soothing me.

I opened my eyes.

I raised my hand and slowly traced his features in the air. So handsome-he really is the same Pei Huai as before.

But he’s changed.

I know it.

My voice was very soft, full of melancholy:

“Pei Huai, you were the one who said you’d never betray me.”

“You lied to me.”