Third Person's POV
Everyone believed Edmond Warner’s love for Haven was unshakable.
Their relationship was a gold standard for romance, inspiring countless admirers who saw their bond as proof that true love still existed. If Edmond and Haven weren’t in love anymore, many thought, then maybe love itself was a lie.
But even the strongest love could falter.
The female junior apprentice sighed as she reminisced. “When I started school, you two were already in your third year. I remember the day you had acute appendicitis. Mr. Warner thought it was terminal and was ready to donate his organs to save you. Then, at your wedding four years ago, I saw him cry like a child, saying he’d finally married the girl of his dreams.”
Haven’s eyes glistened with sorrow. Those memories, once beautiful, were now too painful to bear.
Having experienced Edmond’s all-consuming love, it was harder to forgive his betrayal.
Her mind then drifted back to four months ago, the day she discovered she was pregnant. What should have been a joyous moment turned into a nightmare when she saw Edmond checking into a hotel with Hattie Mann, a female student they had both sponsored.
It wasn’t an isolated incident, though. Edmond often claimed he was away on business trips, but Hattie always sent Haven their intimate photos and videos as taunts. The betrayal cut deep, but last week, it reached an unbearable breaking point. Haven, overwhelmed by grief, lost the baby.
That night, alone in her hospital bed, Haven cried until dawn.
“Maybe... he doesn’t love me anymore,” she whispered to herself.
She then forced a faint smile at the junior apprentice and left with a heavy heart.
Back home, Haven placed her miscarriage report and their torn marriage certificate into a small, ornate box.
Edmond arrived not long after, holding their daughter, Leigh, in his arms. His face lit up when he saw Haven. “I came straight home after my trip and picked up Leigh on the way." He then noticed the box, and his eyes sparkled with excitement. "What’s in the box? An early anniversary gift?”
Haven stared at him, searching his face for a shred of guilt. But Edmond’s eyes brimmed with warmth and love as if he truly believed in his devotion to her. Then she noticed it—a faint lipstick stain on the collar of his crisp white shirt—whether it was carelessness or a deliberate provocation, she didn’t know.
Her chest tightened as if someone had carved out her heart, and she instinctively clutched at it in pain.
Seeing her discomfort, Edmond panicked and held her tightly. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Haven took a deep breath, willing herself to remain composed, and handed him the box.
Seeing the box again, his eyes lit up like a child’s on Christmas morning. “Is this really an anniversary gift for me?”
But as he reached to open the box, Haven pressed her hand on his. “Our fourth anniversary is still in next month. Open it then.”
Edmond smiled and kissed the corner of her lips. “Alright,” he said softly, placing the box on a nearby shelf with care, as if it were the most precious gift in the world.
Watching him do it, her thoughts run wild. 'Edmond, are you just that good at pretending, or do you truly believe you can love two people at once?'
She swallowed the ache in her throat as her thoughts continued, 'This will be the last thing I ever give you. I hope it brings you the happiness I can’t anymore.'
The next morning, Haven woke to Edmond’s kisses. His touch was urgent and his desire was palpable. After weeks of being “away on business,” his restraint had finally snapped.
But as his lips traced her skin, all Haven could think about was Hattie. The same fiery passion Edmond now showed her, she knew he had likely shared with someone else. The thought turned her stomach, and a wave of nausea rolled through her.
