After Loving Him, I Learned to Love Myself

Bianca's POV

Lost in my thoughts, I heard the door open. When I turned my gaze there, I saw Tristan walking into the living room with a box of cakes in his hand. Seeing me, he grinned, set the box down in front of me, and leaned over to place a gentle kiss on my forehead.

“It’s your favorite cake,” he said, his voice warm. “Try it and see if it tastes good.”

He picked up a piece and placed it right in my hand, waiting expectantly.

I took a small bite, but before I even tasted the cake, something hard brushed against my teeth. I pulled back, surprised, and there it was—a bright Mexican fire opal pendant tucked inside. Its colors danced in the light, all fiery reds and oranges, and I couldn’t help but stare.

“Do you like it?” Tristan asked, his voice close to my ear.

I blinked, forcing a smile. “It’s beautiful. Where did it come from?”

Without missing a beat, he replied, “Picked it up at an auction. Thought the colors would look perfect on you.” He brushed my hair back gently, reaching around to clasp the opal around my neck.

Everything he did was so perfect, so tender, just like he’d always been. But still, something in my gut twisted.

“Why the sudden gift?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light.

He chuckled. “Do I really need a reason to surprise my wife with something nice?”

I reached up, fingers brushing over the opal as I recalled a certain video where Sabrina Sowle, bare and vulnerable, wearing it while… crawling beneath him.

A wave of disgust rose in my throat and I couldn’t hold it back. I pushed Tristan away, ran to the bathroom, and started puking.

Tristan was right behind me, looking worried. “Bianca, what’s wrong? Are you sick?”

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “I’m fine. Must’ve eaten something bad.”

Tristan wanted to say more, but his phone suddenly rang, making us turn our heads to it.

Despite the distance, I managed to catch a glimpse of the caller's name — Sab.

While Tristan's gaze was still on his phone, I reached up, unclasped the necklace, and flushed it down the toilet, letting it swirl away along with the remnants of my nausea.

Returning his eyes to me, he insisted, "I'll call the doctor right away."

I shook my head, trying to keep calm. “No need for that. It’s nothing serious.”

But Tristan wouldn’t take no for an answer. Soon enough, the doctor was there, and Tristan hovered by my side the whole time, making sure I was comfortable, fussing over me with lukewarm water and blankets.

“It’s my fault,” he said quietly. “I’ve been too busy with work. Once this project’s done, I’ll make it up to you. Promise.”

I forced a smile. “Alright.”

Even though an hour had passed, his phone still kept on ringing.

With a sigh, he looked at me apologetically. “Seems like there’s a problem at the office. I’ll be right back.”

He left the room and closed the door behind him.

Unbeknownst to him, I could hear everything they were talking about as I linked every app on his phone to mine.

Sabrina’s voice, low and playful, slipped through like poison.

“Tristan, you hear that?” Her voice purred. “I’m playing with the gift you gave me…”

It was then followed by a soft, mechanical buzzing on the other end and Sabrina's gasp. “Mmm, so good…”

Tristan then murmured seductively, “Be good. Turn on the video so I can watch.”

Sabrina’s laugh drifted over. “You’re so naughty, Tristan. What if your wife finds out?”

He paused, and then his tone turned cold. “I’ll make sure she never does. And if you try anything, don’t blame me for what happens.”

My hands started shaking.

The man who claimed to love me most was out there in our garden, talking about forbidden things with another woman.

If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, if I hadn’t heard it with my own ears, I might’ve never believed that Tristan would cheat on me one day.