Chapter 2 Part 2

Ariel and the man instantly stopped their intimate act. Both of them hurriedly pulled the blanket over their fully naked bodies.

A mischievous smirk curved at the corner of Ariel's lips as Noah walked toward her. Deep down, she thought, "Perfect. Just like I wanted."

Noah clenched his fists, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He was trying hard to stay composed. Never did he imagine that the gift he'd receive on his wedding night would be the betrayal of the woman who had just officially become his wife.

There were so many things Noah wanted to say, but no words would come out of his mouth.

"Oh? You came so early. We haven't even reached the climax yet," Ariel said shamelessly, without a hint of guilt.

Noah closed his eyes tightly at her words.

"Sorry to interrupt your love-making," he replied calmly, "but... have you forgotten that you're my wife?"

Deep in his heart, he wanted to destroy the man-Joe-but Noah held himself back.

"I haven't forgotten at all, Noah. Yes, I'm your wife. So what? Is there a problem?" Ariel snapped.

Noah smiled bitterly and slowly shook his head. "How could you betray me like this? We just got married, Ariel," he whispered, trying hard to contain his emotions. He didn't want to make a scene.

But instead of responding, Ariel leaned over and kissed Joe on the lips right in front of her husband.

Again, Noah shut his eyes tightly at the sight.

"Sorry, darling," Ariel said to Joe after pulling away. "Let's pause for now. We can continue later-seems like we've got a little interruption."

"Yeah, babe. You should handle your little problem with your husband," Joe replied with a smirk, casting a mocking glance at Noah.

Noah stood frozen, his eyes wide with rage. He noticed Joe's smug look, and his breathing grew heavier. His feelings tonight were beyond words-utterly shattered, a pain so sharp it pierced straight through his chest. His eyes were red, fighting back tears. He refused to cry-not in front of his wife and her lover.

Jonathan-who had stolen what Noah should've experienced-got off the bed, picked up his clothes from the floor, and dressed casually.

Then, Joe climbed back onto the bed and kissed Ariel once more. "I'm heading out now, babe," he said, deliberately provoking Noah.

Noah looked away as his wife kissed another man-his former college friend, no less.

"Are you two done?" Noah asked calmly.

Ariel seemed confused by his behavior. She expected anger, yelling, maybe even violence. But instead, her husband remained oddly composed. Joe, too, found it strange.

"Could you leave us now? I need to speak with my wife alone," Noah said to Joe.

"Fine. Whatever."

Joe stepped off the bed and exited the hotel room.

Silence filled the air after Joe left.

"Don't you feel hurt, Noah?" Ariel finally asked.

"Should I even answer that, Ariel? You haven't answered my question. What did I do wrong for you to ruin our wedding night like this? Do you think I'm some kind of puppet? This is ridiculous."

Ariel sneered. "You didn't do anything wrong, my dear. You're just a fool. So easy to convince that I loved you-enough to throw a grand wedding just to fulfill my dream."

"Yes, I am a fool," Noah admitted. "But I deserve an explanation. Why did you do this to me? If you never loved me, then we never should've gotten married."

"There's no explanation needed, Noah," Ariel replied casually, turning her gaze away. She couldn't bear to look him in the eyes any longer.

Ariel tried to act like she didn't care-like Noah's feelings meant nothing. She worked hard to suppress her own emotions, not wanting to cry. Despite her cruelty, deep down, her heart wavered.

Noah sat on the edge of the bed. He gently reached for her face, holding her hands tightly in his.

"Thank you," he said softly, "for the wound you've carved into me on our wedding night. But it's okay. Maybe the time we've spent together hasn't been enough for you to love me. That's why I've decided... I will keep you as my wife. I won't divorce you."

Ariel's eyes widened in shock. She had expected him to throw her out, to scream, to end everything. That was her plan-revenge delivered in full. But Noah didn't give her what she wanted.

He leaned in and kissed her forehead gently.

"I'm going home now," he said kindly. "If you want to keep sleeping with Joe, go ahead. Just make sure you come home afterward. I'll be waiting."

Ariel sat frozen in place.

"Or... would you rather come home with me now?" Noah offered.

"No. I'm not going with you," Ariel snapped.

"Alright. But you'll come back tomorrow, right?" he asked.

Ariel didn't respond.

"Why is he still holding onto me?" she thought bitterly. "He should've divorced me. He's such a fool."

The wedding night she'd envisioned had gone completely off-script. It was supposed to destroy Noah. But instead, nothing went as planned.

Suddenly, a wicked grin spread across her lips again.

"Fine. If he won't divorce me, then I'll keep seeing Joe. Maybe tonight wasn't painful enough. But I'll make sure it gets worse. Noah, how long will you keep loving me? I swear, I'll hurt you more than tonight. My revenge isn't over. You have to feel what my mother once felt," she thought to herself.

Ariel felt like all her efforts tonight had gone to waste. She had wanted to see Noah crumble. But he didn't fall apart-he didn't even yell.

Noah picked up Ariel's wedding dress.

"Put this on. I'll wait outside. It's better if we go home together. If I go home alone, Mom and Dad will start asking questions," he said.

Ariel stayed still, her expression cold and detached.

Noah smiled slyly.

"You think I'm keeping you because I love you? You're dead wrong, Ariel. From now on, you'll play by my rules," he thought.