Love Fades Without A Trace

I had woken up to Rhiannon begging me incessantly to forgive her and crying as she apologized for cheating on me. She sounded so careful, terrified that I wouldn't want her anymore.

I was a firm believer in boundaries, and cheating was a huge taboo for me, but I hesitated for Rhiannon. Two little figures were battling it out in my mind—the Rhiannon from my childhood and the present one.

In the end, I compromised. "Cut him off entirely, Rhiannon. You only get this one chance."

Rhiannon had nodded vehemently and deleted all of Callum's contacts in her phone before me.

But now, the photo I was looking at felt like a hard slap in the face. Rhiannon had lied to me again. Judging by the marks on his neck, I could imagine how hard she and Callum went at it last night.

I took a deep breath and dialed a number I hadn't called in a long time. "Mr. Tillman, I was wondering if I still have a shot at applying for the foreign exchange program that you told me about half a year ago."

"The exchange program from half a year ago has already ended, but if you like, you can consider going to Fernham, where you can sign up for a three-year full immersion program.

"Zane, I thought you said you wanted to put design aside for the time being and focus on trying for a baby with Rhiannon."

Half a year ago, Mr. Tillman mentioned there was an opening for me to go abroad and shadow a chief designer. I'd been so excited to tell Rhiannon about it, but she told me earnestly that she wanted to have a baby with me.

As such, I gave up on the opportunity and prioritized having a baby with Rhiannon.

We tried for half a year, but to no avail. Rhiannon didn't want me to be disappointed, so she insisted on blaming herself. But now, she was pregnant with Callum's kid.

I licked my dry lips and replied to Mr. Tillman, "We've decided to stop trying."

Not long after the call, I received an email from Mr. Tillman. I had only just filled in the application form when Rhiannon returned.

She'd bought a large bouquet of roses and an extremely expensive watch. I recognized the watch as the latest model from a certain high-end brand, but I tossed it into the drawer after giving it a cursory glance.

Rendered helpless by my passive aggression, Rhiannon asked, "Are you still angry with me, Zane? Tell me what I can do to make it up to you. I'll do whatever you ask."

I turned my head away and padded over to the couch to cuddle with Rollie.

Rollie was the gray, short-haired cat Rhiannon had gotten for me two months ago. I loved cats, but she wasn't a fan of them, so we went all these years without getting one as a pet.

On the day she brought Rollie home, I'd been sulking because I couldn't get Rhiannon pregnant. But my foul mood vanished the moment I laid eyes on the cat.

Rhiannon treated Rollie like a lucky mascot and took care of its meals and cat litter on her own accord.

She asked me now, "Zane, why don't we go out to sea for a little break? You've been wanting to see the ocean, right? We'll take a cruise and stargaze on the deck.

"I know it'll be hard to make you forget about yesterday, but I'll try my hardest. I'll always be the Rhiannon you love, Zane. That will never change, I swear."

I stared at Rhiannon before me, making grand promises. My heart felt hollow, and before I could stop myself, I nodded.

She was so thrilled by my answer that her dejection vanished, and she hurriedly bought tickets for the cruise and planned out our itinerary.

Meanwhile, my calm and collected demeanor might have aggravated Callum, for his attacks became more scathing. He sent me a photo of a corgi, taunting me, "Zane, check out what Ms. Westley got me to cheer me up. I love dogs, so I'm afraid I can't give this to you this time.

"By the way, I hope the cat is doing alright. I'm allergic to cat hair, so I couldn't keep it. Ms. Westley got it for me initially, and I couldn't bear to part ways with it.

"She told me you loved cats and gave it to you as a pet instead. Say, Zane, which do you think will win in a fight—a cat or a dog?"