Wager in the Name of Love

My husband cheated on me.

That day, I received a message on Instagram.

The person only left me an address and a phone number.

[Being the boss's canary is too exhausting. Why don't you come help out?]

I frowned as I looked at it. This phone number seemed to belong to Elowen Rivera, a student I had sponsored through poverty relief.

But wasn't she working as my husband, Paxton Murphy's personal secretary now?

My mind went blank as I headed to the address.

I had just arrived at the hallway when I saw two people kissing passionately.

My husband, who hadn't touched me in two years, even had his hand inside the girl's clothes, caressing her.

When Elowen saw me, a flash of provocation crossed her eyes. "Is Mr. Murphy this desperate because your wife can't satisfy you?"

Paxton stared at her intently, swallowing constantly. "She's like a dead fish, so boring."

Before he could finish, the next second, he kissed her again. "Only you can make me feel desire."

My fingers trembling, I dialed the number of that man who had been "dead" for years.

"I lost. Take me home."

The door slammed shut. Looking at the clothes scattered all over the floor outside, my mind went completely blank, my ears ringing.

I never imagined that Paxton would betray me.

I never knew that Paxton, who was cold as ice in front of me, could be so impatient—so impatient he couldn't wait even one second. That woman's underwear hadn't even made it through the door before he'd already torn it off, leaving it outside.

I pressed against the door, trying hard to hear what was happening inside the room.

The two people inside were going at it intensely. The woman's moans and screams mixed with the man's low growls could be heard even through the thick door.

My heart felt like it was being torn apart, the pain suffocating.

Only then did I realize what he looked like when he was excited.

Not the numb, mechanical movements, the silent endurance.

I remembered our wedding night, when passion overwhelmed me, and I couldn't help but moan.

He immediately frowned, then pulled away. "Why are you so disgusting?" he said coldly.

After that, he never touched me again.

I thought that was just his personality.

I just never realized he simply didn't love me.

My heart sank, tears welling up in my eyes.

In the beginning, he wasn't like this.