A Love to Forget novel Chapter 2

Esme was jolted awake by the sound of shouting early in the morning. She opened her door and saw a disheveled woman standing in the garden of the neighboring house, gripping a man's shirt tightly as she screamed with all her might.

"Connor, I've loved you for ten years and had your children! You promised me when we got married that you'd love me forever. And now, just a few years later, you dare to cheat on me and keep a mistress behind my back?"

Even though it was still early, plenty of people were out for a walk around the lake and had overheard the explosive argument. As a crowd began to gather, the man—clearly someone with a reputation to protect—yanked the woman toward their house, his expression darkening.

"Why are you causing a scene? I've told you before, no man in this world stays completely faithful!"

Esme stood there, dazed by the sight. Suddenly, a pair of warm hands covered her ears gently from behind.

"Essie, don't listen to such filth," Isaiah murmured.

Esme did not turn around. Instead, she whispered, "Do you think all men eventually cheat?"

Isaiah froze, then turned her to face him. His gaze was calm and full of sincerity as he said, "I can't speak for others, but I won't. Essie, you're the only one I'll ever love."

"You'll only love me in this lifetime?" she asked, her voice tinged with skepticism. "But a lifetime is so long."

Isaiah pulled her into his arms, his warm breath brushing against her ear. "A lifetime is long, but I only want you."

Esme finally let out a laugh, though it carried a trace of bitterness. "What if, one day, you betray me?"

He replied, "If I ever betray you, I'll be struck by lightning and die a horrible death."

Hearing this, knowing everything she did, her heart throbbed with pain. She asked, "Isaiah, aren't you afraid that such a vicious oath might actually come true?"

He chuckled softly. "It won't. No one knows better than me how much I love you. If you don't believe me, I'll carve out my heart to prove it. And if that's not enough, I'll give you my entire life."

Esme's mind was buzzing. If he could give her his entire life, why could he not control his own body? Even now, with traces of another woman still lingering on him, he could stand there and tell her the sweetest lies.

A voice interrupted them from the doorway, shattering the moment. "Esme, Isaiah, what are you two doing?"