Chapter 2

In front of me, Penny had never shown any signs of insecurity, fear, guilt, or remorse that a mistress would typically display in front of a wife. She always appeared so self-assured.

Towards me, the rightful wife, she carried a sense of disdain and indifference. Because she knew that Joseph's favor rested with her.

For the title of Mrs. Dryden, it wasn't that she didn't care; it was that she considered it hers by right. She was convinced we would eventually get divorced. The name Mrs. Dryden would undoubtedly belong to her.

So, she remained calm, even enjoying my anger, helplessness, despair, and heart-wrenching pain.

"Just heard from the manager that Mrs. Dryden wants to use No. 7 Room? Perfect, I've just finished my meal. I'll have the staff clean it up for you so Mrs. Dryden can use it," she said with a condescending tone, which only added to the insult.

However, I was too distracted to notice her tone. My gaze was fixed on her right hand as she ran her fingers through her hair. It was there, on her wrist, that two tiny letters were distinctly tattooed.

"JD."

Penny followed my gaze and chuckled, "It's an abbreviation of Joseph's name that I had tattooed. He was so touched he went and got my name abbreviated too."

I hadn't seen Joseph for quite some time, so I had no idea about his tattoo.

Back then, he had always been repulsed by people with tattoos, viewing it as a foolish and immature choice. The one who claimed he would never get a tattoo was now sporting another woman's name on his wrist.

Looking back now, I couldn't even count how many of his once solemn promises he had broken. Those firm commitments had all turned into ridiculous jokes.

Penny gave me a scornful smile and gracefully departed.

As I left the restaurant, I gazed back at the large words on the rooftop, "Chez Joseph and Anna," and found them incredibly ironic.

I was quite picky when it came to food, and it was challenging to find a restaurant that catered to my taste. After we got married, Joseph had this restaurant built for me. The chefs had adjusted each dish according to my preferences. I could say this was the only restaurant in the entire city where I could eat every single dish.

Although it was open to the public, there was one room reserved just for me, and I could visit anytime. The restaurant's name was my choice, "Chez Joseph and Anna."

Now, the restaurant named after the two of us had been used by Joseph to impress Penny.

I didn't think I'd ever come back to this place in my lifetime.

Sitting in my car, I called Joseph. I expected the call to go unanswered, just like before.

However, to my surprise, it only rang twice before he picked up.

"I heard from Penny that you went to Chez Joseph and Anna? Forgot to tell you, No. 7 Room is her private suite now. If you still want to dine there, pick another room," he said in a matter-of-fact tone, delivering the most painful words imaginable.

He always knew how to hurt me.

"Joseph, do you have to degrade me like this?" My heart ached intensely. "Do you know my parents were with me today?"

There was a brief pause on the other end, and then he chuckled softly, sounding nonchalant. "You can choose not to bear these things, you know. Just get a divorce."

"Are you doing this on purpose? Are you trying to force me into a divorce? Joseph, you were the one who said you'd treat me well for a lifetime! You swore at our wedding that you'd never betray me—"

"That's enough! Rehashing the past again and again, don't you find it boring? Feelings change, that's what matters now!"