CHAPTER 2: CHAPTER 2: CHEATING?

Sienna Monroe stared at these words, instantly dumbfounded.

She recognized every single character, yet together they formed a sentence so unfamiliar.

The former was her husband, the latter her best friend.

She met Caleb Sinclair in college.

He pursued her back then, it was quite the spectacle, sending flowers, breakfast, stuffed animals, treating her classmates to milk tea—the whole school knew how deeply he loved her, how intensely he felt.

Even willing to make great sacrifices for her, even risking his life.

All these years, his affection for her remained unchanged, as always.

Vivian Nash was her college classmate, a roommate for two years, which naturally turned them into inseparable friends.

She witnessed the entire courtship between Sienna and Caleb.

She was mostly unimpressed by Caleb, always seeing him in a negative light.

During their wedding, Vivian warned Caleb with tear-filled eyes to treat her well; otherwise, she wouldn’t let him off.

She couldn’t fathom it.

How did these two people who seldom met end up in a hotel, sharing a room?

But she’s not stupid.

This clearly meant Caleb was having an affair with Vivian.

But... impossible.

The thought of "cheating" never crossed her mind when it came to Caleb.

How could someone who loved her, cared for her, treated her so well betray her?

Especially with Vivian Nash.

How could this be?

But a memory of the chain collision on Riverwood Drive flashed in her mind.

Her heart uncontrollably pounded.

As if it would leap out at any moment.

This message made the afternoon pass agonizingly slow for Sienna Monroe.

She repeatedly checked the time on her phone until dusk, when Caleb Sinclair sent a WeChat message: Sorry, Sienna, something urgent came up at the company, I need to handle it, can’t have dinner with you, let’s watch the movie tomorrow, okay?

Sienna’s heart skipped a beat.

Originally, they had planned to dine at a French restaurant tonight, followed by the newly released movie.

The restaurant reservation was made yesterday, and the movie tickets purchased the same day.

Suddenly, it felt like a heavy stone pressed upon her chest, making it hard to breathe.

She suddenly realized Caleb Sinclair had always been someone who keeps his promises.

Whenever he made a promise, he’d fulfill it, but starting from when, this year, or perhaps... last year, he began missing appointments.

With various reasons and excuses.

Without replying to Caleb’s message, a confused Sienna waited until half-past eight, then picked up her bag and car keys, heading to The Crestview Hotel mentioned in the text.

She inquired with the staff at the front desk and directly took the elevator to the 14th floor.

Upon reaching room 1408, she checked the time on her phone.

Nine past three.

Her hand hovering over the doorbell paused momentarily, overwhelmed by a surge of nervousness engulfing her entire being.

After a moment, she took a deep breath to steady herself, and pressed the doorbell.

Ding Dong!

After the doorbell rang, about ten seconds passed before the door opened from within, revealing a face sporting a joyful smile that greeted her.

Familiar to her.

Vivian Nash!

Even though she had mentally prepared herself, she still froze a bit, the spark in her almond eyes slowly extinguishing.

Compared to her calmness, Vivian Nash, inside the door, quickly retracted her joyous expression, replaced by slight panic.

She wore a black silk slip dress, exposing her fair and beautiful neck and collarbone.

The view beneath her dress was alluringly concealed, the striking cleavage particularly eye-catching.

And her pure and charming face, lightly adorned with makeup, her enchanting eyes shimmering, innocent yet seductive.

Not to mention men, even women would find it hard not to be moved.

Vivian Nash raised a hand to cover her chest, awkwardly smiling to suppress the panic, asking naturally, "Sienna, why are you here?"

Sienna didn’t miss any of her subtle expressions, feeling like her blood had passed through a cold pool, shivering with chill.

Her heart seemed tightly clenched, causing a tearing pain.

She quietly tightened the grip on her bag, appearing calm as she casually glanced inside, raising her eyebrows with a somewhat ambiguous inquiry, "And you are?"

Vivian Nash’s body stiffened, her lips mumbled, eyes flickering briefly, stammering, "I... well, I actually have a boyfriend."

Boyfriend?

As far as she knew, Vivian had been in two relationships, both in college, with the last one lasting nearly three years, ending when the guy left for his family abroad—a long-distance relationship that lasted only three months before they broke up.

She was beautiful, attracting many suitors since then, but she hadn’t dated anyone.

Sienna always thought she couldn’t get over her ex.

But knowing Vivian for years, she thought she understood her.

Judging by her current reaction and micro-expressions, she could clearly tell Vivian was lying.

She displayed just the right amount of surprise and delight, "When did this happen? Finally came to your senses?"

Vivian Nash acted bashfully shy, "Can’t always dwell in the past, wanted to give it a try with him... We just confirmed our relationship recently, planned to tell you after my annual leave..."

Sienna joined in, laughing, "That’s the right way to think, it’s been so many years, long time to move on."

Vivian Nash smiled briefly, a hint of doubt flashed across her face, "Right, Sienna, why are you in..."

Sienna ignored her inquiry, bursting with curiosity and gossip, "Where is he? Let me see, who’s capable enough to win you over! Gosh, wearing a silk slip like this, so sexy, surely intending to charm?"

She wanted to know if Vivian’s "boyfriend" was indeed Caleb Sinclair.

Whether he was inside.

If so?

How should she face it, what should she say?

Sienna didn’t dare to think further, her fingertips paling, her heart uncontrollably racing as if it were about to jump out of her throat.

"Ah, you’re horrible!" Vivian Nash shyly swatted away Sienna’s hand lightly tugging the dress, pleading, "He hasn’t arrived yet, at first I thought you were him. Oh Sienna, stop teasing me."

She recalled Vivian’s joyful expression upon opening the door.

Seems her so-called "boyfriend" really hadn’t arrived yet, feeling somewhat complex yet relieved, as if the weight on her chest eased slightly.

Perhaps not mentally prepared, unwilling to face it.

But she still wore a smile, "Alright, I won’t disturb your moment with your boyfriend. Next time, bring him to dinner when you have time."

With that said, she turned around to leave.

Vivian Nash hurriedly caught her, "But you haven’t told me why you suddenly came here?"

Sienna paused, knowing her sudden appearance would definitely arouse suspicion, might as well speak frankly, see her reaction.

Turning back, her face already masked from pain, "Caught cheating."

"What?!" Vivian Nash’s eyes narrowed, "Caught who... who cheating?"

"Who else can I catch cheating on? It’s only Caleb Sinclair."

Vivian Nash’s face froze, heart pricked hard, holding her breath, questioned, "Caleb Sinclair with who?"

Sienna glared at her, shaking her head, "No idea. Someone called after work, saw Caleb and a woman entered this hotel’s 14th floor, not sure which room, I randomly knocked two or three, even got cursed at."

Vivian Nash saw her subtly gesture to the nearby room door, relieved.

Then fiercely declared, "That person’s too much! Although I dislike Caleb Sinclair, objectively speaking, Caleb loves you deeply, treasures you, his affection over the years is evident, how could he cheat? Surely that person fabricated lies to deliberately sabotage your relationship."

She switched her tone, "However, if he dares betray you, I’ll be the first to break his legs!"

"Probably that person was nonsense talking, I’ll have Caleb look into him." Sienna replied, her eyes ached with shadowed cold pain, tinged with irony and ambiguity, "I’m off now, enjoy yourself."

Vivian Nash shyly snapped at her, watching her leave, her smile fading, clenching her fists tight.