Chapter 3

The ER was buzzing with noise and chatter.

The doctor said I had an acute viral infection with a low-grade fever and told me I needed an IV drip immediately.

I handled the payment by myself, picked up my meds alone, and sat in the chilly IV room all by myself.

The icy liquid dripped through the IV line into my veins, the coldness spreading from the back of my hand all the way through my body.

I pulled out my phone and opened up that AI app.

Edward sent a transfer screenshot to Sugarpie.

The amount shown was 30 thousand.

Right after that, he sent an indulgent message: [Baby, like it? Nothing matters more to me than seeing you happy.]

SugarPie replied with a blowing kiss emoji.

She texted: [Love you to bits. Your wife won't catch on, will she? She's got her hands all over the company's money, you know.]

Edward replied instantly: [Relax. That clueless woman buys whatever I say. She really thinks she owns the company, but it's been mine for ages. Her money? Just the startup shares she put in to work for me, nothing more.]

I stared at those messages, the chill in my body deepening, as if someone had poured a bucket of ice water over me.

So he didn't just not love me, he actually thought I was a fool.

I shut off my phone and slumped back in the chair. The harsh white light overhead was so blinding that it made my head spin.

I didn't cry.

It just felt like these five years of marriage had been a complete joke.

Today was our fifth wedding anniversary, but I kept quiet about it, just to see if Edward had really wiped it from his memory.

Like I did every year, I'd made a reservation ahead of time at the restaurant where we'd had our very first date.

I even slipped into that red dress Edward had gifted me this time last year.

I stood in front of the mirror for a long time, until my headache flared up again, reminding me not to cling to any more fantasies.

At seven o'clock sharp, Edward's message popped up.

He texted: [Claire, sorry, but there's a last-minute team-building event at the office. I'll be home late tonight.]

He fell back on the company excuse again.

I replied with a simple "Okay," turned off my phone, and headed out to the upscale place we always went to on our anniversary.

I chose a window seat in the corner, with a clear view of the whole place.

The waiter poured me a glass of lemon water.

Then he asked, "Ms. Summers, will it be the usual for you and Mr. Miller tonight? Beef Wellington and pan-seared foie gras?"

I shook my head and said, "No, just me tonight."

The waiter hesitated for a second before giving a polite nod and leaving.

Just as I picked up the menu, the bell over the door jingled.

Edward strolled in, his arm around a stunning young woman.

I recognized the woman instantly. It was Vanessa Cole, who used to intern at Edward's company.

Tonight, Vanessa was rocking a white strappy dress, looking both fresh and sexy, playfully leaning into Edward as she batted her eyes at him.

Edward, meanwhile, was looking at her with soft, doting eyes, totally absorbed in whatever she was saying.

I felt like someone had a death grip on my heart. I could barely breathe.

Completely oblivious to my presence, they let the waiter escort them to the prime spot right in the middle of the restaurant.

Hidden behind the lush greenery, I pulled out my phone and hit record.

On my screen, Edward and Vanessa were chatting and laughing, looking every bit like lovebirds lost in their own world.

I watched as Edward pulled a delicate little box out of his pocket.

He popped it open, and inside was a necklace with a snowflake pendant, the one I loved most.

I remembered once showing it to Edward in a magazine, telling him how pretty it was.

He'd brushed me off back then, saying it was too flashy for me.

Now, he was carefully clasping that very necklace around Vanessa's neck.

I was too far away to hear what he was saying, but I could read his lips perfectly: "Vanessa, happy 100 days since we met."

Our wedding anniversary had turned into his special day with another woman.

Vanessa covered her mouth in surprise, then pulled out her phone, her face lighting up with a triumphant smile as she started tapping away.

The next second, the other phone in my pocket, the one with the AI app logged in, played her voice.

She said, "Edward, your wife didn't bug you today, did she? See, I told you. I'm way more suited for this anniversary than she is. Who does she think she is, anyway? Just some old woman hogging your life and never giving you anything."

Her voice wasn't loud, but I caught every word.

Turns out SugarPie was Vanessa, that intern who'd only worked at our company for just over a month.

I caught it all on camera.

Through my camera, I saw Vanessa finish her sentence and give Edward a teasing, almost provocative wink.

Edward just affectionately brushed her nose, doting on her without saying a word in protest.

I turned off the recording and drained my glass of lemon water in one gulp.

The icy liquid slid down my throat, but it couldn't put out the wildfire burning in my chest.

I was dead inside.