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

me. As soon as I squatted

mind its dirtiness and held it in my arms. Then I heard the door lock turn, and

quickly. Afraid I'd steal your things?" I

looked uneasy and stayed

been hungry? You two are really heartless, leaving it

said, "Vivian

she

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

of which were already broken. This bag of trash was the only memento of my marriage with Arthur. I laughed

to call you to come get them. If

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 from a garbage can. Besides the dirty Scruffy, there was nothing else I could take. "That place is Vivian's apartment," Arthur stammered after

to have an affair; if I didn't let you be

holding Scruffy. Arthur called

he was

had

guy? That I didn't fall apart after leaving

and said, "Emily, do you really think Ethan will fall

of disdain. He didn't think highly of me, so he thought Ethan wouldn't either. Maybe in his mind, I

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

in my arms. The home that once felt warm now made me feel sick

a minute," Arthur called

pairs of knitted slippers. "These slippers were made by my mom for you. You know

me while doing farm work. I was touched. Although I hadn't interacted much with her, I believed she was a simple and genuine person. So when I got the slippers, I couldn't

each other, it's not appropriate for me to keep them." I tried to keep my tone calm, but

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

When I left the neighborhood,

glanced at the cat in my arms,

I quickly said, "It's actually very cute. It's just been neglected for a while, so it's dirty.

he gave a faint smile. "Then