His Love Not Mine Alone

He carried me to the bed, picked up a book of Yeats' poetry, and began to read slowly in his deep voice.

As an architectural designer, I need a quiet environment to focus on my work. Ever since we got married, Julian had read poetry to me every night.

For five years, he had never missed a single night.

I didn't want him to work so hard, so I once told him, "I have your recordings. You're so tired from work every day, you don't have to read to me anymore."

That night, he had gently kissed my forehead, his eyes brimming with tender affection.

“Chloe, I would do this for you for the rest of our lives.”

"I want to be the first voice you hear as you fall asleep and the first face you see when you wake."

For five years, he had always put my needs first. He never so much as glanced at another woman, always making a point to leave business parties early.

Julian was young and successful, the heir to the Sterling Group. Since I hadn't become pregnant, his family had long wanted to set him up with other women.

But each time, he had adamantly refused. For my sake, he even defied the family elders.

During that time, his situation was difficult, and he was ostracized at every turn.

Seeing his increasingly haggard face, I had cried more than once, begging him to divorce me.

But each time, he would just hold me tighter, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We are not separating. Not ever. We will face whatever happens together."

I once believed I was the happiest woman in the world, blessed with a perfect partner like Julian.

The soft mattress beneath me brought me back to the present. I realized Julian had already carried me to bed.

He tucked the covers in for me, his long fingers stroking my brow.

I frowned and turned my head, dodging his touch.

"I'm tired. Don't touch me."

His hand froze in the air before he gently rested it on my head.

"Then sleep."

The moon hung high in the sky. Steady breathing sounded beside me, but sleep was the furthest thing from my mind. I opened my eyes.

Julian's familiar scent enveloped me. His strong arm tightened around my waist in his sleep, pulling me close.

He held me in his sleep; that was real. But his betrayal was also real.

The next day, Julian said he wanted to take me to a newly opened art exhibition.

Before I could answer, the home phone rang.

It was Ava.

Julian picked up the phone. He glanced at me, a flicker of barely concealed panic in his voice.

“I thought I said no business calls today. Can’t this wait for the office?”

I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Don't be angry. It might be something urgent from the company."

I watched his tense profile and knew instantly. It was Ava.

I opened my mouth to question him, but he cut me off. He must have seen the accusation in my eyes because he quickly averted his gaze. "Chloe, I just remembered I have an urgent meeting at the company. I might have to go take care of it. Don't worry, I'll be back as soon as I can, and we can still go to the exhibition. Okay?"

Hearing this, I suppressed the frustration rising in my chest.