Chapter 4

When the plane touched down, I skipped the hotel the company had set up for me.

Instead, I booked myself an executive suite at a five-star hotel downtown, using a brand new ID.

The place had a wide-open view, solid security, and best of all, lightning-fast internet.

I turned off every light in the room, leaving only the icy glow of my laptop screen to cut through the darkness.

The screen was divided into three windows.

One showed my bedroom, another my living room, and the last the hallway right outside my front door.

I was like a hunter lurking in the shadows, patiently waiting for my prey to step into the trap on their own.

Time ticked by, second after second.

At 8 PM, Shelly, having figured I should have checked into the hotel by now, called me for a video chat.

On the other end, Shelly had just showered, her damp hair draped over her shoulders. She was wearing a sexy silk robe with a plunging neckline. "Honey, did you make it to the hotel? How's the hotel?"

She leaned toward the camera, striking a seductive pose.

Forcing myself not to gag, I swept the phone camera around the hotel room in a casual circle. "Yeah, I'm here. The place is pretty nice. What about you? Have you eaten?"

"Just finished eating. I'm about to put on a face mask and go to bed. No idea why, but I'm feeling really tired tonight."

Shelly yawned, her eyes and brows showing a trace of fatigue and a barely perceptible hint of anticipation.

I sneered.

Tired, huh? Sure, she had to rest up to welcome her VIP tonight.

I pretended to care for a few more minutes, keeping up the fake smile. Then I made up an excuse about needing to prep for tomorrow's meeting and hung up.

As soon as the call disconnected, the friendly mask I wore dropped instantly.

I turned my gaze back to the monitor.

Sure enough, as soon as the call was ended, Shelly jumped out of bed, all traces of fatigue gone in a flash.

She rushed into the bathroom and started getting ready.

She blow-dried her hair, put on makeup, and even changed into a black lace outfit I'd never seen before.

Watching her show off in front of the mirror, I felt nothing but disgust rising in my chest.

This was the woman I'd spent five years loving.

While I was out grinding for our future, she was at home, getting all dolled up for another guy.

How ironic.

At 9:30 PM, the doorbell rang.

Shelly rushed to answer the door.

At the door stood none other than Hank.

The moment Hank stepped inside, he eagerly grabbed Shelly, and they were locked in a heated embrace, passionately kissing right by the door.

The surveillance picked up everything. I could hear their heavy breathing and the sickening sounds of their kisses, clear as day.

"Baby, I've missed you so much." Hank's voice was rough and urgent.

"Hey, easy. You're messing up my makeup," Shelly pouted, but she made no move to resist him.

They made out all the way from the living room to the bedroom, leaving a trail of clothes scattered across the floor.

In no time, the bed I'd carefully chosen for our wedding turned into the set for a wild, passionate scene.

I stared at the screen, expressionless, watching the two bodies tangled together, while my fingers clenched into fists so tight my nails dug deep into my palms.

Even though I'd already been betrayed once, even though I'd known the truth for a while now, watching this scene unfold right in front of me, the rage and humiliation of betrayal still burned in the pit of my stomach like molten lava.

I remembered my previous life, working double shifts at a diner to pay off my debts, scrubbing grease traps until my hands bled and my back locked up.

I remembered how, to save every penny, I lived on one meal a day, usually nothing but dollar-store ramen or stale white bread.

I remembered the night I died in the pouring rain, the cold and the bitter rage that filled me.

The ones responsible for all this were right there, on my bed, reveling in pure ecstasy.

Why?

I glared at the screen, searing their disgusting faces and every twisted expression deep into my mind.

Their every action and every word would be the evidence that sealed their fate, the nails in their coffin.