Sebastian crouched slightly and cupped my face carefully with both hands. "The space in my heart is limited—there's no room for anyone but you."
His eyes looked sincere, beckoning me into their depths.
But I no longer had the courage to believe so easily.
"Why didn't you eat the lunch I brought you yesterday? Why did you eat the one Roseline gave instead?" I asked calmly.
His face was filled with anger. "Honey, just thinking about it makes me furious. It was all Roseline's fault.
"She accidentally knocked over the food you made for me, and then she insisted on giving me her own lunch. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have been poisoned by the Psilocybe and ended up in the hospital. I wouldn't have mistaken your identity and hurt you."
"Sebastian, are you telling the truth?"
"Honey, when have I ever lied to you?" He kissed my forehead gently. "After all these years, haven't my actions been proof enough of my love for you?"
As he spoke, he nuzzled my face with a hint of grievance. "You always said that trust is the most important thing in a marriage. Are you really going to stop believing in me over this little misunderstanding?"
After nearly ten years together—meeting, knowing, and loving each other—Sebastian had already become a part of me.
I couldn't just let him go. I rubbed my swollen eyes and let out a deep sigh.
No one was perfect. Who could go through life without making a single mistake?
Sebastian was successful in his career and undeniably handsome. It was only natural that women would flock to him. Maybe Roseline had been the one clinging to him. And even if he had felt a slight attraction to her, it was just the kind of mistake any man might make.
I kept trying to convince myself. Since I couldn't bear to leave him, I would forgive him just this once…
I gently wrapped my arms around his waist. His eyes turned red with emotion. "Honey, you've finally forgiven me. You have no idea how terrified I was this morning when I remembered how I treated you yesterday. I was so afraid you wouldn't want me anymore."
"Sebastian, whether you lied to me or not, I hope this time will be the last."
"Of course, Honey. Even if you gave me a hundred more chances, I wouldn't dare make such a stupid mistake again."
Leaning against his shoulder, I whispered, "I don't like Roseline. Fire her from the company."
I ignored the slight stiffness in his posture, listening instead to the firm promise he made beside my ear. "Alright, I'll do as you say. I'll have HR fire her as soon as I get to the office."
From that day forward, Roseline disappeared from our lives completely.
It seemed like we had returned to the sweet, affectionate days of the past.
In between work, I still spent time in the kitchen, carefully preparing meals for Sebastian. Perhaps out of guilt, he treated me even better than before as if trying to make up for something.
The wounds in my heart seemed to be healing little by little as time passed.
Everything was getting better.
I thought that forgiving him had been the right decision.
One day, by pure accident, I discovered a fund transfer on his phone—500,000 dollars.
It was only then that I realized that the peaceful, happy days I thought we had rebuilt were nothing more than a fragile bubble, shimmering with the illusion of a rainbow.
And with just one poke, it burst.
Sebastian had labeled the recipient of the transfer as "Sunshine."
It was an ordinary name, seemingly nothing special. But somehow, I had a gut feeling that it was Roseline.
Suppressing the sharp pain rising in my chest, I silently read through the conversation between Sebastian and "Sunshine."
Sunshine: "Seb, I don't want your money. I just want to see you. Your Sunshine misses you."
Sebastian: "I miss you too. Since Black Friday is coming up, take this as a way to ease your longing. Just accept the money and spend it however you like. Buy whatever you want. Just tell me if it's not enough."
Sunshine: "Seb, you are the best! Love you! I'll leave the door open for you tonight. Don't leave me all alone, okay? If you go home to your wife and make me sleep by myself, I'll be mad."
Sebastian: "How could my wife ever be as fun as my little troublemaker? Wait for me. I won't go easy on you tonight."
Their messages went on and on, filled with blatant flirting and shameless seduction.
So, this was the real Sebastian.
How disgusting.
If he hadn't been in such a rush today and forgotten his phone at home, I would have remained a fool, completely in the dark.
The blood drained from my face. From initial shock to eerie calm, I surprised even myself with how quickly I accepted the truth.
Of course. A shattered mirror could never truly be whole again.
I pulled up "Sunshine's" number from Sebastian's contacts and dialed it from my own phone.
"Roseline."
There was a brief pause before she chuckled, then admitted it outright. "You finally found out. I thought it would take you longer. So, do you believe me now? That your husband and I are together?"
Roseline said, "Sebastian and I have been seeing each other for over a year. He's been sick of you for a long time. If you know what's good for you, pack your bags and leave. Otherwise, you'll only embarrass yourself further."
"Where do you live?"
She answered, "Are you planning to come confront me? Fine, I'll tell you. Sebastian bought me a luxury apartment near his office. Every time he tells you he's working late and can't come home, he's actually here with me."