Chapter 2

I tried to get in, but the security guard stopped me right at the entrance.

"Sorry, ma'am, the park is closed today," he explained.

I pointed at the car that had just gone in and pressed, "But I just saw someone driving in!"

"The person who went in just now reserved the entire park for themselves," he replied.

I waited at the entrance for a full forty minutes, but Samuel's car never came out.

Soon after, I got another anonymous message. It was a video.

From the angle, it was obviously filmed in secret, and all I could hear was ragged breathing.

My stomach churned, and I had to fight hard not to throw up.

Then I gave a bitter, self-mocking laugh.

Back when Samuel and I were building our business together, I mentioned wanting to visit the amusement park so many times.

But he always told me I was too old for that kind of fun.

Eventually, I felt too embarrassed to bring it up again.

Now, though, he rented out the entire park to cheat on me. What a joke.

Suddenly, a thought struck me, and I checked Sophie's Facebook posts. She was the new intern at our company.

Not long ago, she posted: [Meeting him first thing in the morning. He said he missed me all night and couldn't wait any longer. Honestly, I don't know how to deal with this guy.]

So, she was the one Samuel had been seeing in secret.

*****

Two and a half hours later, Samuel finally came home.

He noticed the food on the table hadn't been touched, and worry flashed across his face. "No appetite?

"The doctor said you needed to take things slow to recover, so follow the doctor's advice. You have to eat even if you don't want to."

I managed a weak smile. "Honestly, I'm sick of eating this."

"Still, you've got to eat. Otherwise, how are you supposed to get better?" Samuel insisted.

I brushed him off and told him I wasn't going to the office today.

Samuel noticed my shift in mood and frowned, looking at me. "What's wrong, Emily? Are you upset? I've been swamped with work lately, always coming home late. Are you mad at me?"

Just picturing him hooking up with that woman in his car almost made me gag.

I barely managed to say through my teeth, "No, I'm not a little girl anymore. Why would I be so petty?"

While he was out meeting clients that afternoon, I opened his laptop.

The password was my birthday. His Facebook account was still wide open.

The most recent message was between Samuel and Sophie. The whole exchange was painfully brief.

Sophie: [Ready?]

Samuel: [Yep.]

It was way too casual, not like a chat between a boss and an intern.

It felt more like they were hiding something.

When I checked Samuel's account, I couldn't see any of Sophie's Facebook posts.

She must've set her privacy so only I could see them.

I scrolled through all her Facebook updates again, paying extra attention this time.

She never mentioned Samuel by name, but a few photos gave him away.

I could see his fancy leather shoes, his cufflinks, and the wedding ring on his finger.

I should've seen it coming with Sophie.

She was stunning, with this bold, carefree vibe that reminded me a lot of myself when I was younger.

She was quickly promoted to the Secretary's Office soon after joining the company.

But I never once doubted Samuel's feelings for me.

I just never thought my trust would make it so easy for him to betray me.

*****

By the time I got back from the embassy with my visa, it was already late.

Samuel called and asked me to come to a staff dinner.

Just before I opened the door to the private room, I caught Samuel's voice.

"Once Emily gets here, don't pressure her to drink. She's not feeling well and can't handle it. Anyone looking for a drinking partner should come to me," Samuel joked.

Peeking through the gap in the door, I saw him in a black shirt with his sleeves casually rolled up, showing off those muscular arms.

The private room burst into playful cheers and teasing.

I pushed the door open, making all eyes swing my way.

As if he'd been waiting for this, Samuel got up and made his way through the crowd to take my hand.

One of his subordinates quickly offered me a seat. "Everyone knows Mr. Foster adores his wife. We're just here to watch the CEO show off his legendary doting skills."

I gave a mocking smile. "Legendary? Mr. Foster is way more married to his job. As his wife, I barely get to see him. He only got home in the middle of the night, and he was already gone again this morning."

As soon as I mentioned his early departure, Samuel looked visibly rattled, guilt written all over his face.

Just then, a waitress walked in with drinks in hand.

She was rocking a fitted, modern sheath dress. It was so tight that one could see every curve, and those long, straight legs were on full display.

Every guy in the room just froze, with their eyes glued to her.

When she set the drinks on the table, she shot Samuel a wink secretly.

After she left, one of the female colleagues clicked her tongue and muttered, "What's with the waitress dressed like that? Is this a dinner venue or a strip club?"

But one of the guys just leaned back, still savoring the view. "Hey, chill out. It's her choice. You girls just don't get it."