On paper, Rachel and I had each paid half.
A trace of guilt flickered across her face as she looked away.
The next second, Tyler shouted smugly, "Because the property deed has my name and Rachel's on it!"
"I didn't even call security to kick you out—purely out of respect for Rachel!"
I turned to Rachel in shock. Only then did she explain reluctantly, "Tyler grew up with me. He's practically family. He won't be getting married, and he'll be raising the child in the future. I'm the mother—of course, I have to leave him some security."
"Besides, you and I are going to get married sooner or later. I won't abandon you no matter what. Does a name on a deed really matter more than our relationship?"
Staring at the woman in front of me, spouting such twisted logic, I almost couldn't recognize her.
I had thought she simply didn't love me enough.
I never imagined that even the little affection she had left was already soaked in calculation.
This was the woman I had humbled myself to love for ten years?
It wasn't worth it.
Not at all.
Seeing my eyes reddened, Rachel instinctively took out a cigarette and lit it—then suddenly remembered she was pregnant. Flustered, she hurried away to extinguish it.
Tyler seized the chance to step closer, jabbing my shoulder hard with his finger.
"I'm sick of you petty, effeminate little men who nitpick over everything! Rachel wants to support me—what's it to you?"
"If you know what's good for you, get the hell out of here!"
I raised my hand to knock his away—but he suddenly shoved me with both hands, hard, sending me straight into the artificial lake beside the villa.
Hearing the splash, Rachel rushed back. Tyler spread his hands innocently.
"I didn't touch him."
Her hurried steps slowed. She looked at me struggling in the water, her gaze icy.
"That's enough. Stop pretending."
"Tyler isn't the kind of person who plays these petty tricks."
"Quit this pathetic act and climb out yourself."
Water flooded my mouth. My legs began to cramp.
"It was him—! Save... save me!"
Realizing something was wrong, panic finally flashed across Rachel's face. She reached out instinctively.
Suddenly, Tyler clutched his head and cried out, "Rachel, the wind is so strong. My head hurts again—it's killing me!"
She hesitated for only a second. Then she turned around decisively, shielding Tyler as she led him back into the villa.
Bang.