Six years after my divorce from Gabriel Clinton, I ran into him at a bakery.

The moment he walked in, the clerk offered a smile of recognition.

"Good to see you, Professor Clinton. Here for your wife's strawberry cake again? The usual, right? I've got it packed for you."

Gabriel thanked her.

He glanced at the two boxes of mango cake on the counter and said to the clerk, "I'll pay for hers, too."

I politely declined, quickly reaching out to tap my phone against the reader.

But he beat me to it—his card hit the sensor before my screen could even light up.

"A hundred dollars a slice is a lot. I remember when you'd save for ages just to treat yourself to one. I'm a college professor now and make more than you do, so don't worry about it."

But I insisted on paying for myself.

He glanced at my outfit and sighed.

"Anna, it's been so many years. And you're still holding a grudge?"

I smiled faintly. "Don't flatter yourself."

My fingers traced the wedding ring encircling my ring finger.

I'd long since moved on—remarried and with a child—and had no energy to hold a grudge against some stranger.

***

Gabriel moved faster than I could. By the time I reached the reader, he had already settled my bill.

I insisted on paying for myself.

The clerk gave me an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, ma'am, but Professor Clinton's already covered your bill. Maybe... you could transfer the money to him?"

I turned to him, my voice calm and polite, "What's your Venmo? I'll pay you back for those."

Gabriel sighed, handing me the bag with my cakes.

"Anna, just take it.

"Your birthday's in three days. Think of these cakes as my gift to you."

He sounded earnest, but I met his gaze with a blank expression. I opened my Venmo and turned the screen toward him.

"Scan it, please.

"I don't like owing people."

Especially not for something as trivial as two slices of cake—just a little afternoon treat for my daughter and me.

Gabriel stayed quiet for a long while before finally pulling out his phone.

"You haven't changed one bit."

Without replying, I lowered my head, transferring the money to him.

He tried to stop me. "Anna, you don't have to make such a big deal out of it."

His eyes swept over my faded, well-worn jacket, a flicker of unspoken pity settling in his gaze.

"Two hundred dollars is nothing to me, Anna. But it's enough for you to go out and buy a few new outfits."

I was confused at first. When I realized what he was talking about, I smiled.

Earlier, during my volunteer work, I lent my coat to a girl whose clothes were stained from her period.

Autumn had arrived with a sudden chill, so I borrowed a jacket from a cleaning lady.

Gabriel probably thought I'd been having a hard time these years.

I didn't bother explaining, just said "Thank you," and turned to leave.

But he grabbed my arm from behind.

"Let me give you a ride."

I stiffened and shook off his hand.

"No need.

"Your wife would get the wrong idea."

Gabriel's hand hung awkwardly in the air.

He knew all too well—his wife, eight years his junior, was intensely jealous and possessive.

"Anna..." He grabbed my wrist.

"Want to exchange numbers?"

I lowered my head, silent.

Six years ago, we parted on bitter terms.

We not only deleted and blocked each other's contacts, but also vowed never to speak again.

I shook my head. "No."

"Anna, you don't have to be angry with me. It's been so long. I just want you to have a better life..."

He insisted on getting my number, saying he could wire me some money.

"Call it... compensation for back then."

I almost laughed.

Back then, I'd caused a huge scene, throwing away my pride.

Yet I didn't get a single cent of compensation.

Now, when I no longer needed him, he showed up, offering to make amends.

"Babe, I called you just now. Why didn't you answer? Who are you talking to?"

As I was lost in thought, a young woman in a pink coat skipped toward us, linking her arm through Gabriel's.

When she saw me, her smile froze, but then quickly returned.

"Anna, it's you! It's been years. Why don't we have a meal together?"

I hadn't even responded when Regina Marlowe grabbed my arm with exaggerated enthusiasm.

"Anna, we've been looking for you these six years. No one heard from you. Even your old colleagues thought you'd gone abroad. Where have you been all these years?"

I quietly studied the girl in front of me, hardly recognizing her after all these years.

Back then, she was a timid scholarship student—frizzy hair, plain clothes, and eyes that darted like a startled fawn.

But six years under Gabriel's careful care had transformed her.

She'd blossomed into a striking, confident woman.

I gave her a polite, distant smile. "I did go abroad."

Regina's eyes widened in surprise.

"Really?

"But Anna, back then, I tried to visit you several times. Everyone said after the divorce, you'd gone back to your hometown..."

Regina seemed to speak without thinking, but Gabriel cut her off before she could finish.

"Sweetheart, let's not bring up the past."

He affectionately ruffled her hair. "Eat the cake I bought you, or it'll melt soon."

Regina nibbled on her cake, talking to me with her mouth half-full.

"Anna, it's such a rare chance to see you—let us treat you to lunch, okay?

"I know you hated us for what happened, but you helped me so much. You sponsored my college for four years. Without you, I wouldn't be here today..."

Regina's sincerity made it seem as if refusing her would be downright ungrateful.

I checked my watch. I still had time.

"All right, but I only have an hour and a half."

They chose the restaurant.

On the way, Regina chattered nonstop, even feeding cake to Gabriel with her fingers.

Gabriel, aware of my presence, looked uncomfortable as he gently restrained her hand.

"Behave yourself. Anna's watching."

Regina stuck out her tongue playfully.

"Sorry, Anna. We've gotten used to being like this since we got married. Sometimes we can't help kissing in public—you must think we're ridiculous."

I caught a flash of challenge and pride in her eyes, but I just smiled.

"It's fine. After all, when you were in college, you couldn't help getting handsy with him in my house. I'm used to it."

The air went ice-cold in an instant.

Regina and Gabriel both looked unsettled.

But I kept my composure and walked on.

We passed a fireworks store along the way.

Regina's interest was instantly piqued. She dragged Gabriel inside.

"Honey, didn't you say you'd set off fireworks all over the city for my birthday in three days?

"I want to pick out the style first... Anna, you don't mind, do you?"

I smiled. "Not at all."

Gabriel gave me a meaningful look before turning to select the fireworks.

"This one. 'Ocean's Tears.'"

I froze.

Memories I'd nearly forgotten—distant and buried—rushed back all at once.

Gabriel used to love me deeply.

We dated for four years and had been married for six.

Everyone said he was famous for spoiling his wife.

As a university professor, he never attended social gatherings. He'd coldly refuse when female students asked for his contact info.

He published a slew of academic books, but tucked among them was one called "Whispers of Love."

It was written just for me.

Everyone at Columbia University sang the praises of our beautiful love story.

Every year on my birthday, he'd set off fireworks across the city.

But then, while tidying our bookshelf, I stumbled upon a photo hidden in one of Gabriel's books.

The girl in the picture was young, wearing a miniskirt, straddling his lap, and smiling at the camera.

I recognized her instantly.

It was none other than Regina—the girl I had supported for three years, who used to trail after me like a devoted younger sister.

She was also in Gabriel's class.

Back then, on a stormy day, she'd been cornered by thugs in an alley, and I'd rescued her.

I brought her home. She showered and changed into clean clothes.

She was frightened when she saw Gabriel.

I'd laughed and reassured her, "Don't worry, Professor Clinton isn't going to bite."

Gradually, she got braver.

She started tiptoeing into the study to ask Gabriel for help with her coursework.

Watching them get along so well, I felt nothing but relief.

Until later, I discovered their intimate photos on Gabriel's computer.

After that, I lost control, burst into the study, and found them entangled at the desk.

They scrambled for their clothes, panic-stricken as I barged in.

I lost all dignity and restraint, screaming like a madwoman.

I demanded to know how Gabriel could cheat on me right under my nose.

But Gabriel only shielded Regina beside him, wrapping her up tightly, his eyes cold and furious.

"Get out!

"Joanna Hathaway, have some shame. We still need ours."

Sure enough, men are ruthless and heartless creatures.

When they love you, they'd give you the world.

But once that love is gone, they'll hurt you to the bone.

I smashed everything within reach, room after room, leaving the place in ruins.

I just couldn't believe it.

One was the man I'd loved for nearly a decade.

The other was the underprivileged girl I'd supported for three years, treated like my own little sister.

And yet, right under my nose—while I was in the kitchen cooking—they were tangled up together in the study, bold as daylight.

They hid behind the excuse of academic discussion, but what they were really doing was far from innocent.

My whole body shook uncontrollably, my eyes bloodshot, refusing to accept any of it.

Gabriel looked at me with disgust, stubbornly keeping Regina shielded behind him.

"Joanna, you're acting insane!

"You need to calm down. If you so much as lay a finger on Gina, I won't forgive you."

Regina cowered behind him, tears streaming down her face, the marks on her neck still fresh.

"Anna, I'm sorry. I really am... I know this is wrong, but I fell in love with Professor Clinton anyway...

"I'm begging you—I don't care about titles, just let me be with Professor Clinton, please?"

I was stunned.

"Do you even realize you're the other woman, breaking up someone else's family?!"

"I don't care!"

Regina shouted back, as if fighting for her own freedom.

"This is just physical attraction, Anna. Even if you hadn't saved me, I'd have fallen for Professor Clinton at school. He felt the same..."

Looking at her—so stubborn and fearless—I suddenly remembered that rainy night when I'd brought her home.

Because I'd helped her, those punks harassed me for ages.

For a long time, I was too scared to walk down that street again, until I finally reported it to the police, and it was over.

I never regretted saving Regina.

But that night, I hated myself for being so kind.

For giving another woman a chance to get close to my husband.

Ten years—those were my 10 years.

I couldn't accept the truth, let myself fall apart, screaming like a madwoman, demanding to know when it all started.

Looking back, I was so naïve.

Everything had already happened—what was the point in asking?

But all I felt then was burning rage.

Every part of me was consumed by betrayal.

"Anna, stop this.

"Regina has her studies to focus on. She's not trying to take anything from you, and she doesn't want a title. You're still Mrs. Clinton."

After getting dressed, Gabriel tried to reassure me, completely unapologetic.

"From now on, you don't need to support Regina. I'll take care of her expenses."

Regina never came to our house again.

But their rendezvous only multiplied.

Coffee shops, restaurants, the library—even hotels...

I became obsessed with watching their every move.

Gabriel never used to work on Saturdays, but once Regina started coming around, he was at the university every weekend.

I turned into a stalker, trailing them by cab.

And there, outside the lecture hall, I saw them kissing passionately.

They couldn't keep their hands off each other, slipping into the car I'd bought Gabriel for his birthday.

Soon, the car began rocking, steady and rhythmic.

That time, I stormed right up and smashed the car.

I left them humiliated and scrambling.

But Gabriel was determined to protect her, treating me like I was crazy, and had security throw me out.

For a long time afterward, I lost track of how many scenes I caused.

I even showed up at Gabriel's university with banners, tracked down Regina's class, desperate for the whole world to know she was the other woman.

She was the student I'd sponsored, the girl I'd treated like my own sister. The better I'd been to her, the deeper my hatred ran now.

Every day, I wondered why, out of all the men in the world, she had to go after my husband.

I wanted everyone to see her for the ungrateful person she was.

Gabriel was no better—the worst kind of liar.

Our love had been shattered beyond recognition.

Afraid I'd ruin things or tarnish Regina's reputation and academic record, Gabriel hired a team of bodyguards to keep me under house arrest.

I hurt myself more times than I can remember.

That feeling of being abandoned by the world was like swallowing something bitter I couldn't spit out, desperate for any way to vent.

Back then, even the smallest injury would make Gabriel frown with concern.

But over time, his patience wore thin.

When he saw the long gashes on my arms, he just snapped at me in disgust.

"That's enough! If you want to die, do it somewhere else. Stop playing the victim here.

"Joanna, I never planned to divorce you. If you'd just turn a blind eye like before, you could stay Mrs. Clinton for life.

"But now, I don't think you're up for it anymore."

Later, I overdosed on sleeping pills, ended up in the hospital, but didn't die.

When I woke up, something inside me broke. I signed the divorce papers.

And just like that, six years slipped by.

My thoughts drifted back as Regina finished picking out fireworks.

"I want this one—'Ocean's Tears!'

"Babe, I want the same fireworks you set off for Anna back then, the ones that explode in the sky and spell out my name. I want you to write 'Regina, I love you'..."

Gabriel smiled indulgently, promising her everything.

Soon, they picked a restaurant near Columbia University for lunch.

"Anna, this place is amazing. Gabe and I come here all the time. You probably haven't eaten food like this in a long time, right?"

Regina waved the menu at me, excited to show off the dishes.

I kept my smile polite. "I got tired of these when I was overseas. You two go ahead and order."

I'd heard Regina couldn't find a job after graduation.

Gabriel pulled strings, used his connections, and got her a position at the university.

Everyone called them the perfect couple. I just lowered my head and smiled.

You can't take others' talk too seriously.

Regina's eyes lingered on my worn outfit, her gaze complicated.

"Anna, what do you do for work now?"

I paused, then answered honestly.

"I'm not working at the moment."

Regina looked as if she'd expected it all along.

She sighed.

"What happened back then was our fault. If you're out of work, Gabe and I could help. I heard Columbia University is hiring cleaners. I think you'd be perfect for it..."

Gabriel frowned. "Regina!"

"What? Did I say something wrong, babe?"

Regina's face was all innocence.

"I mean well. Anna's obviously had a rough few years. I just want to help."

When I didn't deny it, Gabriel didn't push further. He just turned to me.

"Gina's just blunt. Don't take it to heart."

I gave a half-smile. "Thanks, but you don't need to worry about me."

Just then, my husband, Sebastian Johansen, called.

"Anna, I just picked up Ellie from school. Where are you?

"Didn't you say you wanted fondue? I've got Ellie with me, and we're coming to find you."

My voice softened. "Great, I'm at the restaurant across from Columbia University."

After I hung up, Regina and Gabriel stared at me, suspicious.

"Anna, you don't have any family in New York. Who was that on the phone?"

I smiled. "My husband."

They both froze.

Regina leapt up in shock.

"Anna, you're married?"

Gabriel's face went pale.

"Joanna, you don't have to put on a brave face. If you're alone, just admit it. Why bother lying?"

I paused, the words I'd meant to say dying in my throat.

Why should I have to explain myself to him?

He was nothing more than a stranger to me now—a man I'd cut out of my life six years ago.

"I'm not lying. I'm finished here. You two take your time."

I stood up to leave, but Gabriel grabbed my arm.

"Joanna, you're not leaving until you explain yourself.

"I had friends in my circle look into it. There's no way you're married."

I couldn't help but laugh as I turned back to face him.

"And what makes you so sure?"

"I..."

Gabriel's expression soured.

He couldn't answer, but the look in his eyes gave him away.

He always carried that air of superiority, convinced he knew everything.

He'd seen me at my lowest, desperate to save our marriage, willing to do anything.

He was absolutely certain that, even if I divorced him, I'd regret it. That I'd be waiting, hoping he'd come back.

But these past years, I married Sebastian.

Gabriel had blocked every bit of information about me.

He even hired expensive private investigators, but they couldn't find a single trace.

That's why the rumors spread—some said I'd moved abroad, while others claimed I'd gone back to my hometown.

All of it was false.

No one knew how happy I was with my husband and child.

Gabriel still refused to believe it, his face pale as he clung to the question.

"So, are you really married, or just seeing that guy?

"Anna, even if you're thinking about marrying again, you should be careful.

"What have you gotten from being with him? Look at the way you're dressed. Don't sell yourself short—you deserve better."

Gabriel was starting to lose his composure.

But I just looked at him, baffled.

"It's none of your business."

Besides, no matter how flawed someone else might be, they couldn't possibly be worse than you.

It was probably the borrowed cleaner's jacket I was wearing that made him think I was struggling.

"I told you, I'm doing just fine. You don't need to worry about me."

I tried to pull away again.

He wouldn't let go.

Gabriel's grip tightened around my wrist, his knuckles white.

Regina watched for a moment, then forced a smile.

"Babe, look at you—you're scaring Anna. If she says she's married, she must be."

Her words were sharp.

Her eyes flicked to the large diamond on my ring finger as she tried to judge if it was real.

"But Anna, that ring is huge. If it's real, it must be worth tens of millions of dollars, right?

"Gabriel's right—there are all kinds of men out there. Don't get fooled."

She flashed her own ring, showing off.

"See, Gabe's a college professor, and all he could afford was this 12-carat diamond. But yours..."

She didn't say it, but the implication was clear—my ring had to be fake.

Given her lack of perspective, I didn't care enough to argue.

"Thanks for the advice."

Just as I was about to wrench my arm free, steady footsteps sounded at the restaurant entrance.

"Anna."