Chapter 2

My voice was dripping with sarcasm, but Andrew just cocked his head and actually gave it some serious thought.

Then he nodded, a proud little smirk on his face. "Honestly? It feels pretty damn good."

This guy was absolutely shameless.

Andrew continued, "Sure, maybe it's a bit morally questionable, but if I can be with the person I love, it's totally worth it.

"And let's be real, Nick handed me the chance. If he hadn't started straying, no matter how hard I tried to play the homewrecker, it wouldn't have worked."

I couldn't help but let out a wry smile. He was right. Nick was the one who strayed.

I pulled out my phone and posted an update to my social media feed: [It's been three months since Nick's accident. I've finally come to terms with reality. The man I loved is gone for good.]

[Looking at these old things just stirs up too many memories. I'm putting Apex Prosper up for sale.]

Less than a minute after I posted it, my phone started ringing.

It was Melissa. I answered, my face expressionless, and her voice came through, frantic and agitated.

"Charlotte, what stupid thing are you doing? Nick's just missing. Just because they haven't found his body doesn't mean he's dead," Melissa shouted. "You're his wife. Shouldn't you be out there looking for him instead of selling off his pride and joy?

"You vicious woman. Are you just trying to run off with Nick's money and shack up with some guy?"

I couldn't help but smirk at her accusation. Not gonna lie, I did have a guy now.

But did she say Apex Prosper was Nick's pride and joy?

That was the funniest thing I'd ever heard.

We might have started Apex Prosper together, but Nick never did a damn thing. I was the one who kept it running, every step of the way.

I replied calmly, "It's been three months since Nick went over that cliff. For all we know, the wolves might've already had their dinner. You kept telling me to move on, and now that I finally am, why are you suddenly freaking out?"

When the news about Nick falling off the cliff first came out, all his friends just told me to move on. Even when I begged them to help search for his body, they just brushed me off.

I was furious and didn't understand how they were so chill about it. Nick was supposed to be their friend, and they acted like it was no big deal.

Now I finally got it. They all knew about Nick's plan.

They all kept it from me, acting like they were just watching a show while I ran myself ragged trying to keep the company afloat.

Melissa's voice shot up, sharp and shrill. "Charlotte, if you dare mess around, Nick will make you pay when he comes back."

I could totally picture her face turning red with rage, and that actually made me feel a lot better. I replied coolly, "Even the most professional search and rescue teams say Nick's not coming back, but you're so sure he will.

"What exactly are you guys hiding from me?"

"Not at all. I just believe Nick's got luck on his side. He'll definitely make it back," Melissa shot back.

With that, she hung up fast to hide her emotions of almost being exposed.

As soon as I hung up, Andrew silently handed me his phone, almost busted from the fall.

Right there on the shattered screen was the luxury store's security footage.

Nick was on his feet, going off and cursing up a storm, his face totally twisted with rage. He looked completely unhinged, like he'd lost it.

"Who the hell gave that moron the guts to sell the company?" Nick shouted. "I swear, when I get back, I'm gonna beat her senselessly."

I watched him lose it on the security footage and couldn't help but smirk.

This was just an appetizer. I went through three months of pure hell, a life worse than death.

I wanted Nick to pay for every bit of it.

Early the next morning, with Andrew's help, I rushed to the courthouse and officially affirmed Nick's death.

Now I was officially a widow.

Then I went straight to the notary public, armed with the death certificate from the courthouse. With that, I took over Nick's ten percent share in Apex Prosper.

Just like that, I became the actual owner of Apex Prosper.

Andrew flashed a big grin as we had everything done. "Should we throw him a funeral? Announce to the world that he's dead?"

"No need. He's not worth it," I replied coldly, then pulled out my phone and dialed up Benson Howard, the third-largest shareholder of Apex Prosper.

"Mr. Howard, would you be interested in taking over Apex Prosper?" I asked, my tone carrying a hint of sadness. "Nick's death has been confirmed. This company was something we built together out of love.

"Now, every time I look at the company, all I can think of is him. Honestly, it's torture. I've made plenty over the years anyway. I'll sell you all my shares. I just want to get away and breathe for a while."

I put on a flawless act as the heartbroken widow, milking every ounce of pity I could.

As soon as I hung up, my expression instantly turned cold again.

I didn't waste a second. I spread the word that I was selling my shares and calling a shareholders' meeting, all at once.

At the same time, I was digging up every bit of dirt on Nick's cheating, and I had my army of online trolls ready to go.

With Nick's vengeful streak, there was no way he'd miss the shareholders' meeting. He'd probably try to twist the truth and turn everything upside down.

I had to be fully prepared. If I slipped up even once, he'd destroy me completely.

He loved pretending to be dead, didn't he?

Fine, I would help him out. This time, I would make sure he was totally ruined.