Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 37 Heartbeats in Public

I pushed open the door and immediately saw Vivian's photo. My head buzzed, and I couldn't even hear my phone ringing. I walked in like a zombie.

A huge wedding photo of Vivian and Arthur dominated the living room wall. Vivian was clinging to Arthur, smiling brightly, but it just made me feel worse. The photo wasn't recent; Arthur's hair was much longer in it. He'd cut his hair at least two months ago.

Thinking about what I found in the study earlier, a bold guess hit me, and my heart raced.

The apartment's layout matched Arthur's, so I easily found the study and pushed the door open.

The study was massive, big enough for a party. It was more like a combo of a study and a master bedroom.

The bed was huge and looked super comfy. The pink sheets and duvet were pretty tempting.

The bookshelf that used to be against the wall was turned ninety degrees, connecting this room with Arthur's study. It wasn't just a bookshelf; it was a hidden door. How did I never notice? Was I really that clueless? I couldn't believe Arthur went to such lengths to cheat.

The design was clever. When they got tired of reading, they could just roll onto the bed.

Arthur kept calling me. I finally answered after stepping into his study through the hidden door.

"Emily, I took the wrong key. It's not the right one. Maybe you can come another day to get your things," Arthur sounded nervous.

"Arthur, this door design is really brilliant!" I mocked.

"You went in?" Arthur sounded shocked.

"I may be stupid, fooled by you for so long, but at least I can read numbers on a key." I angrily hung up.

Even though we were done, the anger still burned. I didn't hate being deceived; I hated myself for being so blind to their affair happening right under my nose. Arthur used to mean a lot to me. I believed everything he said. He told me not to enter the study, so I never did.

I was so naive and stupid. While he was off having fun, I was cooking and doing laundry for him, playing the nanny. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got.

Stepping out of the study into what used to be my home, I saw the furnishings had changed completely. No trace of me was left.

A cat's meow came from the balcony. I followed the sound and found a dirty, thin cat in a pile of clutter. It looked up at me pitifully.

Vivian hadn't taken care of it while I

name was Scruffy. It used to be very close to me. As soon as I squatted down, it struggled to walk

Then I heard the door lock turn, and soon Arthur was standing in

came back quickly. Afraid I'd steal your

uneasy and

help but say, "How long has Scruffy been hungry? You two are really heartless, leaving

said, "Vivian doesn't like

course, she

you can't leave it, take it with you. Vivian's been nagging me to get rid of it anyway. Also, I've gathered all your things." He dragged a big bag out of the clutter

most of which were already broken. This bag of trash was the only memento of my marriage with Arthur. I laughed in anger. "So I should be grateful you didn't throw these

come get them. If you don't want them,

the bag, dirty as if

you, breaking down walls to be with you. You two have worked so hard to have an affair; if I didn't let you

Arthur called after me, "Did you really

he was an idiot. "Are you blind? Didn't you see

frowned, like he had

are you upset that I married a good guy? That I didn't fall

stared at me and said, "Emily, do you really think Ethan will

uneasy. I knew Ethan had reasons beyond love for marrying me. But Arthur's tone was full of disdain. He didn't think highly of me, so he thought Ethan

any of your concern? From now on, we'll live our own

rushed towards the door with the cat in my arms. The home that once felt warm now made me feel sick to stay

minute," Arthur

went back into the room and came out with two pairs of knitted slippers.

believed she

me to keep them." I tried to keep my tone calm, but I couldn't hide a trace of sadness. Arthur wanted

I hesitated but told him the truth. He said he would come to pick me up right away.

arrive so quickly. When I left the

car, Ethan glanced at the cat in my arms,

bit worried he'd dislike the dirty cat, so I quickly said, "It's actually very

smile. "Then take it home and give it a