885
Bradley slammed his foot down on the gas pedal.
Upon reaching their destination, an ashen faced Wade jumped out of the car and rushed into the building.
Janice lived in a high–end residential complex where only residents or those with management approval could
use the elevators.
Wade had access since his face was stored in the security database, allowing him to bypass the facial recognition
system.
He went up to the right floor, but Janice wasn’t home. She hadn’t returned to her apartment.
Wade tried calling her, but all his attempts falled. She didn’t answer his calls or respond on WhatsApp.
With no other choice, Wade went back down and borrowed Bradley’s phone to try again.
This time, someone finally picked up. A woman’s calm volce came through the line. “Hello?”
Wade immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to speak, a man’s voice sounded in the background.
“Honey, you can put your things here. There’s more than enough space in this house. Arrange them however you like.”
Wade wasn’t sure if he was imagining it, but he sensed the man had deliberately spoken loudly enough for him to hear–especially the word “Honey“.
Wade held his breath.
Janice immediately went still. As if a realization had struck her, she ended the call abruptly without another word.
Wade eventually shook off his daze, forcing a brittle calm upon himself. He quickly entered the car and, with surprising efficiency, located Chad’s current address.
Chad resided in a villa neighborhood that was uncannily close to Janice’s home. In fact, their two residential areas were adjacent, separated by just one street.
It was easy for Chad and Janice to run into each other when coming or going.
When Wade and Bradley arrived at Chad’s neighborhood, the security team refused to let them in.
Wade, losing patience and reason, tried to force his way past. “My wife is in there! Let me go!”
Since Wade refused to leave, the guards eventually asked for the house address and called Chad.
Chad granted them permission to let Wade in.
Wade made a dash for the villa, his sight immediately catching the figure of the woman standing in the yard.
Janice had changed out of the wedding dress, and her hair was secured in a neat bun. Standing at the entrance, she was accompanied by Chad, who was a steadfast presence beside her.
1/4
Wade met Janice’s gaze, encountering a chilling calm and indifferencehe’dnever seen before.
Gone was the unmistakable fondness and affection in her eyes. It was as though Wade was no longerthemost important person in her life.
Though his heart was still racing from the run, Wade felt it sink.
It was Janice’s first time seeing Wade so anxious and flustered.
Unfortunately, she had already had a change of heart. No person could withstand constant unfairness and endless waiting for their love to be returned.
The heart could only take so much.
Wade walked up to Janice. “Let’s go.”
He tried to take her hand, but Chad was faster, thrusting himself between them. His demeanor, typically affable, was now rigid and hostile. “Don’t touch her.”
Those words instantly set Wade off. He grabbed Chad’s collar. “Who are you to say that? This is between me and my wife!”
Chad sneered. “Your wife? Is she legally your spouse? Do you even have a marriage certificate?”
Wade’s expression darkened with every word.
Chad pressed on, determined to crush him. “By the way, Jan and I registered our marriage an hour ago. You should congratulate us, Mr. Garner.”
Wade’s lips trembled as anger and panic consumed him. He wanted nothing more than to punch Chad.
“Enough!” Janice stepped forward, pushing Wade away. “Wade, you made your choice. You let everyone down. The fault lies entirely with you. What right do you have to show up here and cause a scene?”
Wade froze. Her words were true.
Janice took a deep breath and looked at the man she once loved. They could never go back. After being hurt countless times, she had decided it was time to leave.
“What Chad said is true. We’ve registered our marriage. I’m now Mrs. Hockney. From this moment on, you and I have nothing to do with each other.”
Her voice was calm and resolute, but Wade couldn’t accept it. It felt as though half his life force had been sucked
out.
He leaned forward, his hand desperately outstretched for Janice. “Jan, this isn’t funny. I know I screwed up, but don’t joke about something like this just because you’re upset with me.” 3
2/4
Sara Lili
Sara Liliis a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.