Chapter 1
I was just trying to order groceries online when I found it.
Clayton's laptop sat open on our kitchen counter, still logged into his account. I needed to borrow it for just a moment—our Wi-Fi was acting up again, and I wanted to place our weekly order before I forgot. I wasn't snooping. At least, not at first.
"Clay, do you mind if I use your laptop? The app isn't loading on my phone," I called out, already sliding onto the barstool in front of his computer.
"Go ahead," his voice drifted from the bedroom where he was getting dressed for work. "Just don't close any of my tabs."
I nodded absently, clicking on the grocery website. But as the page loaded, a notification popped up from the company's internal video platform. Someone had commented on Clayton's recent presentation.
"Your insights were brilliant as always. Can't wait to see where you take us next. -A"
The initial didn't register immediately. Then I saw her profile picture—a sleek, professional headshot of Arielle Webb, Clayton's new assistant. The woman who'd been hired six months ago and had quickly become indispensable to him.
Before I could stop myself, I clicked on her profile. There were dozens of comments between them, scattered across various videos and presentations. Most were work-related, but some...
"This strategy is exactly why we need you at the executive level. Dinner tonight to discuss? -C"
"I'd be honored. 8pm at Marcello's? -A"
My fingers trembled as I scrolled further, finding a photo album I hadn't seen before. Clayton and Arielle at a conference in Chicago last month—the one he'd insisted was "just business." In one image, they stood too close, his hand resting on the small of her back as they laughed with clients. In another, she was adjusting his tie, her fingers lingering at his collar.
I heard Clayton's footsteps approaching and quickly closed the browser, my heart hammering against my ribs.
"What are you doing?" he asked, his tone casual as he grabbed his coffee.
"Just ordering groceries," I managed, my voice surprisingly steady despite the earthquake happening inside me.
He barely glanced at me, already scrolling through his phone. "Did you remember the lasagna noodles? I have a craving for your homemade lasagna."
"Of course," I said automatically. "It's your birthday tomorrow. I've already planned the whole menu."
He nodded distractedly. "Great."
---
The next day, I spent hours in our kitchen, preparing Clayton's favorite meal from scratch. The lasagna noodles were made fresh, the sauce simmered for three hours with herbs from our garden. I'd even ordered a special cake from that bakery he loved downtown.
As I worked, I kept thinking about those comments, those photos. Was I overreacting? Maybe they were just colleagues celebrating work successes. But deep down, I knew better.
When Clayton finally came home that evening, I had candles lit and dinner ready to serve.
"Happy birthday," I said, presenting him with a carefully wrapped box containing the vintage watch I'd been saving for months to buy. It was an exact replica of the one his grandfather had worn in old photographs—something I'd noticed him mentioning once, years ago.
"You remembered," he said, taking the box without enthusiasm. He unwrapped it quickly, barely looking up from his phone as he did.
"It's a vintage Hamilton, like your grandfather's," I explained, watching his face for any sign of appreciation.
"Mmm," was all he said, setting it aside to continue scrolling through his messages.
I served dinner, trying to ignore the knot forming in my stomach. We ate in near silence, Clayton checking his phone every few minutes.
"The lasagna is good," he said eventually, though he'd barely touched it.
---
Later that evening, we headed to his office for the small birthday celebration his team had organized. I stood in the corner, watching as colleagues wished him well.
Then Arielle walked in, carrying a sleek black box tied with silver ribbon.
"Sorry I'm late to the party," she said, her voice carrying across the room. "I wanted to give you this personally."
Clayton's face transformed. The distant expression he'd worn all evening vanished, replaced by genuine warmth as he accepted her gift.
"It's nothing extravagant," she said, "but I noticed your watch is starting to show its age."
Inside was a gleaming designer watch—the kind featured in magazines, far more expensive than the one I'd given him.
"It's perfect," Clayton said, immediately removing his old watch to try on the new one. "You have impeccable taste, Arielle."
His eyes met hers with such appreciation, such genuine gratitude, that I felt invisible standing right there in the same room.
"Thank you for always noticing what matters," he added, his fingers brushing hers as he handed back the empty box.
I stood frozen, the contrast between his reaction to my gift and hers cutting through me like glass. In that moment, I realized with devastating clarity that while I'd been busy loving him, Clayton had been busy falling for someone else.