A few lines of tears in the spring
For her first birthday after marriage, Riley had saved every spare penny from her part–time delivery job for six months to buy her husband, Julian, a tie.
It was a beautiful light smoke–gray, absolutely perfect.
She planned to hide it at the bottom of the closet and surprise him when he came home that night.
But instead, at the very bottom of the closet, she found
a
Harriage certificate.
The photo on the certificate was still a picture of her and Juli
But his name had an extra initial in front: J. Julian.T
And the woman’s name was Chloe, her twin sister. Y
Sounds came from outside, Julian seemed to be back.
Someone else was with him, probably his assistant.
Riley hid in the closet and listened to their conversation.
“Mr. Fuentes, the handbag Miss Chloe liked while shopping today? I’ve already arranged to have it delivered to her home. We told her she was a lucky winner chosen during the mall’s anniversary sale, and the bag was her prize.”
Julian nodded. “Well done.”
“Mr. Fuentes, I don’t quite understand. If you like Miss Chloe so much, why not just reveal your identity and confess directly? Why go undercover and pursue her twin sister first?”
Julian’s voice sounded a little desolate.
“Chloe has rejected me ninety–nine times, but I can’t let her go. I will only ever love her. As for Riley… she looks eighty percent like Chloe. I just wanted to use her to take the wedding photo on the marriage certificate. Chloe’s ID was used for the actual registration.”
“You truly are devoted to Miss Chloe. Even after being rejected so many times, you still find a way to be with her.”
Julian’s voice turned dark. “Even if I can’t win her heart, I won’t let her marry another man. She can only be mine!”
“So, you disguised your identity to make it easier to escape later?”
“Exactly,” Julian said. “I’ll accrue massive debts under the name Julian, so Riley will have no choice but to let go.”
That night, Riley stayed in the closet, not coming out.
She clutched the marriage certificate, a bitter laugh escaping her lips.
So, she was just a tool, used by Julian in his ruthless pursuit.
From the very beginning, he had only loved Chloe.
All that talk about him being a slave to the corporate grind earning only four thousand a month, or not being able to afford a proper wedding ceremony or flowers- it was all a lie!
He was the heir to the colossal Fuentes Group empire, wealthy beyond imagination. What couldn’t he afford?
He hid his identity and skipped the wedding because she wasn’t the woman he truly wanted to marry!
She wasn’t worthy!
The next morning, Riley went straight to the department store and returned the tie.
9:20 AM
<
The next morning, Riley went straight to the department store and returned the tie.
Then, she bought a plane ticket.
The staff member asked her, “Ma’am, where would you like to fly?”
Riley handed her all the refund money. “See how far this can get me. Just pick the furthest destination possible.”
Soon, she received a text message confirming her ticket.
Seven days later, her flight would depart for Nigeria.
She looked it up on the map. It was a small country in Africa.
Perfect. Africa was far enough.
When she got home, the lights were off.
Julian didn’t seem to be awake yet.
Just as she was about to unlock the door with her key, she heard a sound from inside.
Julian was holding a woman’s hair tie, kissing it frantically against his lips. “Chloe… Chloe… good girl, I love you…”
At the same time, his hand moved rhythmically below, until he found his release.
Round after round, he seemed tireless, continuing for a full three hours.
Riley waited outside the door for three hours. Only when the sounds completely ceased did she push the door open and step inside.
Julian saw her, and the intoxicated look on his face instantly morphed into indifference. “Where have you been? Why weren’t you home all morning?”
Riley opened a window to air out the room, letting the heavy, cloying scent of stale desire dissipate.
She and Julian had been “married” for over half a year, but Julian had never touched her.
Several times, she had tried to be intimate, but Julian would merely push her away gently. “I’m exhausted from work. I don’t have the energy for anything else. You should rest. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
At first, she genuinely believed he was just a corporate drone overworked by a soulless company, so she didn’t mind and even felt bad for him.
But now that the truth was out, she finally understood the reason for his coldness all these years.
It was all just an excuse.
Riley said, “The supermarket on the west side of town had a sale on groceries this morning, so I went to queue for it.”
Julian looked at her empty hands, puzzled. “Then where are the groceries?”
**Chapter 2**
Riley said, “I accidentally tripped on the way back, The groceries were crushed, so I threw them away.”
Julian simply hummed in response, saying nothing else.
Riley asked, “Aren’t you going to ask if I got hurt when I fell?”
Julian snapped, “So, did you get hurt?”
