Exposing the Charade of Deep Affection (PDF)
Chapter 1

Exposing the Charade of Deep Affection

Chapter 1 A Hideous Scar

"Ms. Conner, it's impossible to completely erase this scar. You know how bad this wound was. All we can do is to make it lighter. That's all."

Looking at the scar across my belly, I couldn't help but remember that doctor's words from this afternoon.

It couldn't be erased.

I paused and took out a balm from the drawer before applying it to my belly.

The bathroom door opened with a creak. I looked up and met Walter Hinton's sharp eyes in the mirror. He was a standard Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome.

Walter's gaze dropped to my hideous scar. He frowned and left the bathroom without a word.

I noticed the fleeting surprise in his eyes, though he hid it quickly.

In our two-year marriage, we didn't have a lot of sex and it was always with the light off. He might have touched it before, but he couldn't think too much of it as his mind was occupied by something else. This was the first time he saw it clearly.

I returned the balm to the drawer and walked out of the bathroom.

Walter was smoking on the balcony. The light of the cigarette was on and off in the dark. I watched his back for a while before putting an ashtray next to him. I took a breath and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't know you would be home tonight."

If I knew, I would lock the bathroom door and he wouldn't walk in on me.

"When did you get the scar?" He flicked ash into the ashtray lightly and asked an irrelevant question.

I thought this was the first time he asked about the scar. I answered honestly, "About five years ago."

He nodded and tilted his head slightly to look at me. He asked with a frown, "Where's the child?"

I paused, but soon understood he was mistaken.

"This isn't..." The scar wasn't from a C-section.

Walter didn't give me the chance to finish the sentence. His phone rang. The ringtone was specially set. Walter hurried over to pick it up as soon as it started ringing.

"OK. I'll come over now." I didn't know what the person on the other end said. But Walter's tone was gentle.

His cold expression had softened.

My heart felt a stab. Realizing that he was leaving, I couldn't help but say, "Are you coming back tonight?"

With his coat in his arm, Walter turned at my question. His face fell, but he still looked like a polished gentleman. "Don't wait up. Go to bed early."

It meant he wasn't coming back.

The bedroom door shut with a bang. I stood on the balcony and watched his black car leave the yard.

I bet he was going to see Ashley Conner, who was his true love. He would be there for her with one call no matter when.

I envied her.

Walter and I married out of business considerations, not love. We were married because our families needed an alliance.

I wasn't surprised when I found out he loved another woman. Everyone had the one who got away.

But I was surprised that the person Walter loved was my sister, Ashley.

Ashley got married three years ago. She suddenly divorced two months ago. I didn't know she was Walter's true love until I accidentally saw her and Walter hugging in the garden of the Conner's house.

How dramatic and how hurtful.

Honestly, Walter played the role of a husband well. Although he didn't love me, he took care of me. I could say that I had a happy marriage.

However, I thought my happy days were coming to an end.

I was awakened by a sudden call at midnight. I should know better and turn off my phone.

I suppressed my anger and picked up. "Hello."

I heard a woman's sultry voice. "Don't be so hard, Walter. It hurts."

I was shocked.

Walter?

I recognized that it was Ashley's voice.

At this point, I was wide awake. I checked the caller ID and it was Walter's number.

So, they called at midnight to share their sex life?

I heard the dial tone and realized that the call had ended.

Well, they were kinky.

I couldn't go back to sleep after the call.

And I was in a bad mood.

It was 1 a.m. I thought it was time to call the police.

I called the police and heard the standard question. "Hello, this is the River City Police Department. What's your emergency?"

Clenching my phone, I said, "I'd like to report a prostitution case. They're in Qanat Community."