Ariel never imagined she would be hearing these words from Jayson.
He maintained his usual calm, dignified demeanor, but beneath the composure lingered a trace of sorrow in his eyes.
Ariel felt confused. Jayson wasn't supposed to act this way. He had just admitted that, during their four years of marriage, he had been wary of Lucas for nearly three.
She was stunned. Ariel pursed her lips and looked at him. "What did you find out about me and him?"
There was a time when she and Jayson had shared a happy, loving relationship. Yet, one day, he changed abruptly. Ariel had long assumed he maintained their harmonious first year together simply out of good manners and upbringing.
She thought his feelings for her had cooled because he had grown tired of her or had a change of heart. That was the conclusion she held on to, even long after they had gone through the "divorce" procedure.
But now Jayson revealed he had been wary of Lucas all along.
In all those years, he had never once mentioned Lucas to her, nor shown any signs of frustration or concern.
After marrying Jayson, Ariel devoted herself to her partner and their household. She had bid farewell to her past. The thought of rekindling anything with Lucas had never once crossed her mind.
So how had Jayson discovered her history with Lucas and even grown suspicious of him?
Watching her closely, Jayson decided to reveal the truth. "I know you were childhood friends. I know you once had feelings for each other. You married me partly because of Lucas, not entirely because you spent the night with me. You were more or less forced into this marriage."
What he said was true. Ariel couldn't even deny it. Still, she had never once brought up Lucas after marrying Jayson, and the Sandersons had wisely kept silent as well.
"How did you find out about this?" she asked.
Jayson dropped his gaze, inhaled deeply, then looked back into her eyes. "Remember the laptop you once asked about? I told you it was lost or misplaced. That wasn't true. I've kept it in my study all this time."
Ariel's eyes widened. She understood instantly.
That laptop had been with her for years, starting from high school. Countless important moments and memories were saved on it—including traces of Lucas.
She pressed her lips together and met Jayson's gaze. At last, she realized why he had changed back then.
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