When the Warmth Fades

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I spent seven years teaching Eric, this emotionally unavailable creature, what love was.

But once he learned it, he gave all that love to another woman.

I thought if I was patient enough, he would eventually come back.

Until Eric believed her lies and had people rip my clothes off, all while the blood of our second child flowed beneath me.

In that moment, I finally understood. My love was worthless in his eyes.

I signed the divorce papers and moved far away.

Years later, successful in my career, standing at my own art exhibition, I saw Eric kneel before me, begging for my forgiveness.

But I simply linked my arm with the man beside me.

"Eric, you're not even fit to be a security guard outside my studio."

Sophia POV

In the spacious bedroom on the top floor of the mansion, the headboard thumped against the wall, making a rapid, erratic sound.

I exhaled heavily, feeling Eric's sweat on me. "I'm too tired. I want to sleep."

"Don't you want a baby? Let's try tonight."

My heart pounded faster at Eric's words. "But you don't like kids."

"But I like you."

His kisses landed on my cheek and neck, making me incredibly excited. I hugged Eric tightly. But when I saw the tattoo on his inner thigh, my smile suddenly vanished.

When did this tattoo appear?

It was a butterfly. Looking at it, my restless heart suddenly grew quiet.

A name flashed through my mind: Maya.

She loved butterflies.

The woman who almost ruined my marriage. Was she out of prison?

Counting the days, she should have been released three months ago.

"Sophia, why aren't you focused?"

"My stomach feels a bit upset. I want to shower and go to bed first."

Eric stopped. He picked me up and carried me to the bathroom, just like he always did. But this time, I didn't let him help me wash.

Three years ago, Eric knelt and swore he wouldn't cheat again, promising to cherish only me.

For three years, he canceled all evening work, came home on time every day to cook for me, prepared surprises even when there were no holidays, and planned a romantic trip every month.

He was so good to me, so good that I almost forgot he had cheated once, even throwing divorce papers at me with such a decisive attitude.

The sound of the shower stopped, and I dragged my body, feeling deflated, back to bed. Closing my eyes, I told myself I must be overthinking things. It was just a tattoo, and I hadn't actually seen Eric cheat.

But I couldn't sleep.

At 3 AM, there was a sudden rustling by the pillow. Eric, who never got up in the middle of the night, took his phone and went outside the bedroom.

Wrapped in a shawl, I stood by the bedroom door. Through the thin wall, I heard everything clearly.

"Sophia's asleep. Was I too rough yesterday? Are you still sore?"

"We haven't seen each other in so long. I miss you so much..."

"Of course I love you, but we can't be together, at least not now. My family really admires Sophia. She did help me with my condition, after all. I want to protect you, but only in this private way. I don't want you to be hurt again."

Eric's voice was tearful, filled with an affection I had never felt from him.

I leaned against the cold wall, my chest aching and raw.

I felt like a hateful old witch breaking up true love.

I didn't want to hear any more of their conversation. I returned to bed and lay there.

Maya was really back. Eric still loved her. What did my pain from three years ago mean then?

What did all my efforts to save this marriage mean?

I was so foolish, foolish enough to think that a man who'd once strayed could truly love me forever.

Eric and Maya chatted on the phone for a long time before he returned to bed. I could feel him watching my face for a while, making sure I was really asleep before he relaxed.

The next morning, Eric woke up as usual, preparing for work. He was as energetic as ever. I met his gaze at the dining table. Eric stroked my head. "Want me to bring you a cupcake tonight? What flavor do you want?"

"The usual."

"Okay."

Eric kissed my forehead before he left. I stared numbly into his eyes, realizing that love truly could be faked

After the door closed, I made a call.

"Anything new lately?"

"I'm divorcing Eric."

"Because Maya's back?"

"You knew about them too?"

"Sophia, I don't know what to say. Three years ago, most of Eric's assets were transferred to your name. You know how to enjoy the life of a wealthy woman, don't you? Three years have passed. Why are you still caught up in emotional matters?"

"I chose to marry Eric because I loved him. Nothing more."

"Then I won't interfere with your decision. I'll have the lawyer arrange your divorce."

"As soon as possible."

"A week."

2.

Sophia POV

After hanging up, I suddenly noticed a photo frame on the table. In the picture, I looked naive but smiled happily. Next to me was a serious-looking Eric, standing quite far away. It was our first photo together. Back then, Eric still had his emotional disorder.

I became interested in Eric on my first day of college. I loved handsome guys, and Eric perfectly fit my aesthetic.

To get to know him better, I tried to have chance encounters with him.

Eric liked to read in the library, always sitting in a corner. I'd sit opposite him, holding the same book.

He wasn't good at socializing and always ate alone, so I'd always sit next to him and talk his ear off.

After a semester, Eric still showed no reaction. He rejected every invitation and didn't even give me his contact info.

Some people told me to leave this emotionally unavailable monster alone, but I refused to listen.

Until I received a call that my grandma had passed away. I ran to the station through the heavy rain, and Eric actually handed me an umbrella.

I thought he had finally learned to care about me.

But Eric spoke with a cold expression. "What's there to cry about over something like this?"

Eric left the umbrella with me and turned to walk away.

From that day on, I decided to ignore him.

Later, Eric told me it was the first time he'd experienced the feeling of "loss." Unlike when his longest-serving nanny left, my deliberate distancing caused him pain.

He wanted to understand this feeling, so he begged me to teach him how to distinguish emotions. When my hand touched his chest, he said it was the first time he heard his heart race.

He asked me why he felt this way.

I shook my head. "I don't want to talk to you anymore."

So he started pursuing me. He mimicked my old ways, appearing everywhere I went, inviting me to eat, offering to go shopping with me, giving me gifts, and telling me what had happened recently.

Over time, I gradually discovered how interesting he was.

The once dull Eric actually brought me a heat pack during my period. "I read a book about periods. Women need to keep their lower back warm; it makes it more comfortable."

Eric even actively criticized negative comments about me on social media.

"This is Eric. All the negative rumors about Sophia at school are false. She wasn't chasing me; I'm the one pursuing her."

His words shocked many. They all said I had turned this emotionally unavailable monster into a deeply affectionate man.

"My chest feels tight when I see you, my heart is pounding, and it hurts. Why is that?"

I looked at his serious expression and playfully kissed his cheek. "And now?"

"I feel like I'm suffocating."

"That's because you like me."

We started dating. I taught him how to love, how to express affection, gradually transforming him into a normal boyfriend, even a more considerate one.

Eric prepared romantic surprises for me, each one more delightful than the last. The day he proposed, Eric bought a plot of land in the most expensive district, covered a thousand square meters with a sea of flowers, and ordered a one-of-a-kind oversized diamond ring.

Everyone said Eric didn't know what love was, only how to give me the best.

I also thought he would be my eternal love. Until our third year of marriage, an intern named Maya joined the secretarial office at Sterling Group. After meeting this girl, Eric completely changed.

He'd forget our anniversaries and stopped preparing surprises for me. He also frequently worked late, traveled for business alone with Maya, and even drove his luxury car to Maya's dorm building to pick her up and drop her off.

I spent seven years teaching Eric how to love, but once he learned, he fell in love with someone else.

That was the first time I yelled at him, demanding to know whose lipstick was in his pocket.

He admitted it frankly. "I fell in love with someone else. My heart races when I see her, my mind buzzes when I'm near her, and I get anxious when she leaves. I don't feel that way about you anymore."

He handed me divorce papers and walked away.

My head throbbed. I lay on the sofa, my tears almost dry, my throat sore and parched. I couldn't believe he had fallen for someone else.

I started frequenting Eric's office, insisting on eating lunch with him every day and attending all his evening functions.

But it was useless. I saw Eric and Maya kissing in the office. That completely enraged me. I yanked Maya's hair, slapped both of them, blew up the situation, ruined Maya's job, and made sure everyone at her school knew she was a mistress breaking up a family.

I went to complain to Eric's mother, Eleanor. Eleanor sternly reprimanded Eric, and he finally promised me he wouldn't divorce.

The day I learned Maya had completely vanished from my life, I happily went out shopping, only to be hit by a car at an intersection. The car was going very fast and ran over my stomach. When I was rushed to the hospital, the doctor told me I'd lost the baby.

It was our first child, mine and Eric's. We didn't even know it was coming.

I kept it a secret because Eric had said he didn't want children yet.

The person who caused the accident was Maya. She was drunk, but the car was Eric's.

I lay in the hospital bed, watching Eric kneel before me, weeping. "She's so young. If she went to prison, it would ruin her future. I'm begging you, please, let her off. I promise I'll only be good to you from now on, and I'll never cheat again."

I had my lawyer reduce Maya's penalty to the minimum. All I wanted was a stable marriage. I thought this compromise would bring Eric back to his old self.

Maya went to prison, vanishing from our world, but her traces were everywhere.

There was a butterfly charm on Eric's desk.

His car played Maya's favorite music.

He'd wake up in the middle of the night calling Maya.

I often wiped away tears, telling myself that at least I was by his side.

But three years passed, and he saw Maya again, and his heart strayed once more.

Bang! I slammed the photo frame face down. I was done with these two scumbags.

3.

Sophia POV

I rested at home for most of the day. In the evening, I received a call from my mother-in-law, Eleanor. She invited me over to talk.

As soon as I arrived at the underground garage, I noticed something was off.

My car, which I hadn't driven in ages, had been moved. I opened the car door.

There wasn't a speck of dust inside, but I could smell perfume. I hadn't driven this car in a year.

Eric had used my car.

I tapped on the car's navigation, about to enter my destination, when I saw a notification. In the past three months, this car had traveled to one specific location hundreds of times, almost every day, sometimes even three times a day, mostly on weekdays.

I clicked on it, and the system automatically routed me to a familiar address: the plot of land Eric bought me before we got married. A villa was built there in our second year of marriage, but I hadn't been there in six months.

What was Eric doing there?

A bad feeling washed over me. I drove there without hesitation.

The car stopped at the villa entrance. I skillfully entered the code and pushed the door open. By the entrance, there was a photo frame holding a couple's photo of Eric and Maya.

Walking into the living room, I saw several cute throw pillows on the sofa, and the floor lamp I had carefully chosen had been replaced.

In the kitchen, there were some leftover dishes: pan-fried steak, Caesar salad, wine... all the meals Eric used to make for me. No wonder he had to try each dish so many times; he was perfecting the taste for Maya.

I felt like a thief spying on someone else's happiness. I scanned every corner of the room, as if I had intruded into a sweet couple's domain.

Suddenly, a scream came from upstairs. I followed the stairs up. The bedroom door was open, and a dress and a suit were scattered outside. I immediately recognized Eric's clothes, followed by another scream from inside...

I looked up. Eric's face showed a greed and lust I hadn't seen in a long time, and the bed continued to thump against the wall.

I saw Eric's name tattooed on Maya's thigh.

"Did you do this in this room with Sophia...?"

"I don't want to hear her name right now."

"Do you like her or me more?"

"Of course, you."

The sheets beneath them were custom-made by me, with a pattern I designed myself.

Thinking back to when the house was first renovated, Eric and I lived here for over six months, lying on this very bed every day. A wave of nausea suddenly washed over me.

I went downstairs, holding onto the railing. The nausea eased slightly, but I still felt unwell.

My phone suddenly buzzed with a message. It was Eleanor asking where I was. I quickly pushed the door open and got into the car.

Just as I was about to start the car, I glanced in the rearview mirror. I realized I was crying, though I hadn't even felt the tears falling.

I pulled open the car's glove compartment, looking for tissues, but found an unopened box of condoms and a torn dress in the corner.

My stomach started to churn again. I gripped the steering wheel, trying to drive home as fast as I could.

I kept the windows down the whole way, but Eric and Maya's images replayed in my mind.

I thought deciding to divorce meant I was free, but my tears didn't lie. My vision blurred with tears, and I could barely see the road. When I tried to hit the brakes, there was a sudden loud noise.

Crash!

My car crashed into the barrier and was forced to stop.

My eyelids felt so heavy. I couldn't even manage to speak.

I regained consciousness after being rushed to the hospital. The first words I heard made me even more alert.

"Madam, I'm so sorry, we couldn't save your baby."

I thought I had gone back three years in time. I forced my eyes open and saw the date on the clock. When I felt the intense pain radiating through my body, I finally accepted the truth.

"Your condition is unstable right now and you need surgery. Please call a family member."

I instinctively called Eric. It took a long time for him to answer, his voice hoarse.

"What is it, Sophia?"

"I was just in a car accident. Do you have time to come to the hospital for my surgery?"

Eric was silent for a long time.

I heard a woman's voice beside him chuckle, "The steps for your recipe are too complicated. I can't learn it. Can you teach me again?"

The phone was suddenly muffled, and I heard a quieter voice say, "You don't need to learn how to cook when you're with me."

I lay numbly on the hospital bed, my heart feeling hollowed out, a chill constantly invading me. I was about to hang up, but Eric spoke again.

"Sophia, my assistant just called me to an urgent meeting. I'll come see you later, okay?"

I was silent for a moment, then hung up.

"Can I proceed without a family member?"

The nurse gave an awkward smile. "Under normal circumstances..."

Suddenly, my phone rang again. It was Eleanor. I answered and told her to come to the hospital.

At least someone cared if I lived or died.

When I was wheeled out of the operating room, Eleanor was the first person I saw.

She handed me divorce papers. "Eric already signed them at the office. He didn't know they were divorce agreements."

I forced a smile. I tucked the papers into my bag and finally felt a sense of relief; even my wounds didn't seem to hurt as much.

"I heard you had a miscarriage. Didn't you two say you didn't want kids?"

"Recently, Eric suddenly wanted a child. Maybe he felt he owed me for cheating, but it's gone now."

"Eric isn't coming for your car accident?"

"He said he had something urgent, and he'd come later. I don't want him to know about the baby; after all, we're over."

Eleanor sighed. "I'm not getting involved in your affairs."

4.

Sophia POV

I slept for a while in bed. When I opened my eyes, Eric was there. He stroked my head, staring at the stitches on my leg with a pained expression.

He was such a good actor. If I hadn't found the evidence, how much longer would he have kept lying to me?

"Sophia, why didn't you have the driver take you out?"

"I just wanted to go home. I didn't want to trouble the driver."

"The car was badly damaged, already sent to the junkyard. We'll order a new one tomorrow."

I had been at the accident scene. Though serious, the car wasn't totaled. Eric was so anxious, probably afraid I'd find traces of his affair with Maya in the car.

But I had already found them.

I nodded, pretending to know nothing.

After I was admitted, Eric seemed more relaxed. He didn't have to hide from Maya so carefully anymore and had plenty of time to spend with her every day.

He pretended to have meetings, pretended his car broke down on the road and he'd be late visiting me at the hospital.

Eric didn't even want to pretend anymore. He repeatedly put off visiting me, and I even handled my own discharge papers.

Only two days remained until the divorce agreement became effective. I had planned to go home to pack, but when I pushed open the front door, I saw a familiar sight: a suit, a nightgown, thrown on the floor. I hadn't come to the wrong house; they were bold enough to come to our home.

The sound of keys falling to the ground startled the couple on the sofa. Eric instantly stood up, hiding Maya behind him as he walked toward me. "Sophia, let me explain..."

He was afraid I'd snap, so he tightly gripped my hand. "It's my fault. I couldn't forget Maya, so I went to her. Everything is my fault..."

I couldn't suppress my rage. The cramping in my lower abdomen shot up to my head and then sank to my feet.

I scanned the room, then forced myself to act calm and went upstairs. I pushed open the walk-in closet door. I couldn't wait another minute.

Since Maya was already in my house, I'd just give her my place.

Eric followed me upstairs, stopping me from packing. "Sophia, don't be angry. I swear I won't cheat again. This is the last time. I won't contact Maya anymore..."

At this point, what good were lies?

Why was he still deceiving me?

I raised my hand and slapped Eric across the face. "Get out! Stay away from me!"

I thought the slap would shame him, but the next second, Eric wiped away my tears. He lunged forward and kissed me. "I swear, I truly swear I won't cheat again."

A sickening taste entered my mouth. I could smell Maya on him; it was utterly revolting. I pushed Eric away and immediately rushed to the bathroom to rinse my mouth, only to realize, staring at my reflection, that I was crying again.

I suddenly understood why Eric had kissed me. He was just trying to appease me. He thought my slap was just me being petulant, like three years ago when I begged him to love me, and only me.

How could I be so pathetic!

Even my anger wasn't taken seriously!

I splashed water on my face and went out. Eric was still standing there.

"Let's have a baby. I'll give you a child. I promise, I won't cheat again. From now on, I'll focus on our family."

Eric forcefully wrapped his arms around my waist. He leaned in again, pinning me to the bed.

Though I liked children, I wanted a child conceived out of love with my partner, not with this lying beast.

"No! Let go of me!"

"Don't be angry with me anymore. I'll listen to you from now on, okay?"

I slapped Eric again. He tried to lean in again, and I slapped him again. He finally understood; I wasn't being petulant.

I pushed him out and then locked the door.

I wanted to pack my bags and leave as soon as Eric was gone.

That night, Eric knocked on the door, but I ignored him. He called me, and I hung up every time.

The next day, I woke up very early. After confirming Eric had left the house, I planned to leave.

Just as I dragged my suitcase into the living room, the front door was suddenly pushed open. I instinctively flinched from Eric's gaze, but then I heard a furious roar.

"Sophia, are you even human? I never thought you'd do something so disgusting!"

I felt confused. By the time I reacted, Eric had already grabbed me by the throat.

"You actually hired people to assault Maya? If you can't have my heart, you want to destroy the woman I love? How vicious can you be!"

His grip made my cheeks red and my neck bruised. I struggled, unable to utter a single word of explanation.

Suddenly, several men entered through the doorway. I stared at Eric's eyes in shock, desperately pounding on his chest.

"Maya is suffering from trauma now, refusing to eat, sleep, or see me. You can experience her pain too!"

I was suffocating. Eric suddenly released his grip, and I collapsed onto the sofa, gasping for air. Eric motioned for the men to come over, and they dragged me to the floor, starting to tear at my clothes.

"Eric... I didn't..."

Any explanation was useless. The door was already closed. Eric stood outside, smoked a cigarette, and then quickly left, leaving me with only those beastly eyes.

My clothes were ripped off. I struggled to crawl onto the sofa, only to hear the sound of fabric tearing. I stared at the ceiling in despair; my strength was no match for these men...

My lower abdomen was throbbing. I had just lost a baby. I saw blood continuously flowing down my inner thighs.

"Stop, she's bleeding. Eric only told us to scare her, not to be too rough..."

My tears had long run dry, my throat was hoarse, and my whole body ached.

After hearing the men leave, I finally had the strength to get up. I hid in the bathroom and showered for over two hours, leaning against the wall, my body trembling.

I changed clothes, placed the divorce papers on the table, dragged my luggage, and finally left this painful place.