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.

and Vivian hadn't taken

It used to be very close to me. As soon as I squatted down, it

heard the door lock turn, and soon Arthur was standing in front of

Afraid I'd steal your things?" I

looked uneasy and

say, "How long has Scruffy been hungry?

said, "Vivian

sneered, "Of course, she

Also, I've gathered all your things." He dragged a big

wedding photo and some of my toiletries, most of which were already broken. This bag of trash was the only memento of my

was going to call you to come get them. If you don't

mainly wanted to get some clothes. I had many nice ones I couldn't bear to throw away. But now, they were mixed with trash in the bag, dirty as if pulled

You two have worked so hard to have an affair; if I didn't let

holding Scruffy. Arthur called after me, "Did you really

at him like he was an idiot. "Are you blind? Didn't

frowned, like he had something

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

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

was full of disdain. He didn't think highly of

my business any of your concern? From now on, we'll live our own lives. You don't need to worry

once felt warm now made me feel sick to stay in for even

Arthur called

went back into the room and came out with two pairs of knitted slippers. "These slippers were made by my mom for you. You know

I believed she

from your mom to her daughter-in-law. Now that we have nothing to do with each other, it's not appropriate for me to keep them." I tried to keep my tone calm, but I couldn't hide a trace of sadness. Arthur wanted to say something,

truth. He said he

arrive so quickly. When I left the neighborhood,

into the car, Ethan glanced at the

was a bit worried he'd dislike the dirty cat, so I quickly said, "It's actually very cute. It's just been neglected for a while, so it's dirty. It's quite

a faint smile. "Then take