Chapter 3

When Milo picked up, I could hear his slow, heavy breathing on the other end. I kept my voice steady. "If I stay with you, will you give me money?"

He stayed silent for a long time.

For a moment, I felt ridiculous for even asking. Then Milo spoke up. His voice was low, calm, and almost gentle. "If that's what you want, then I agree."

That was how I became Milo's partner.

I had met him through work. He was one of the wealthy clients I served. After a few brief meetings, he started showing interest in me.

He was a really impressive guy, but back then, I was still with Oliver. When I turned him down, he did not push. He simply said he would wait.

In the end, he was the only person I had left to turn to.

It was only after I started living with Milo that I truly understood who Oliver was.

That night, I went to a business dinner as Milo's secretary, and I ran into Oliver there. He stood in the middle of a lively crowd with a drink in his hand, looking completely at ease.

That was when I realized something. In this circle, some things weren't secrets at all. Everyone already knew.

Oliver was with the same group of friends from that night at the nightclub.

The moment they saw Milo and me, their expressions turned sharp. A few of them even nudged Oliver and pointed us out.

When Oliver's eyes landed on me, I was quietly walking a step behind Milo.

His gaze cut straight through me at first, cold and sharp like a blade. Then a slow, mocking smile formed, and it felt as if his scorn were pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe.

But none of that mattered anymore. I had the money I needed. Verda was getting the best treatment.

I got everything I wanted.

Later, Oliver cornered me. He blocked my path and stared at me, his eyes burning. "Is this what you wanted?" he asked.

For a second, I thought back to the day I called Milo and asked him for that huge favor.

He had paused, then said quietly, "If that's what you want, then I agree."

So I looked straight into Oliver's eyes and answered in a calm, steady voice, "Yes. This is what I want."

Milo rushed over at that moment and stepped in front of me without hesitation, putting himself between us. He faced Oliver directly, protective and firm.

Even then, I could still feel the hostility coming off Oliver. It was strong, almost suffocating.

I couldn't understand it. If anyone had the right to feel disgusted, it should have been me. So why was he the one acting like this?

It was the same now. I looked at him, confused.

He seemed to be waiting for something, like he expected me to explain myself.

But all I felt was impatience. He was wasting my time.

My interview had already run late that day. Milo had recently gone back to his old line of work, and once he got busy, he forgot everything else. If I didn't remind him, he would even skip meals.

I was planning to head home and check on him. But Oliver was standing right in my way.

So I gave him a polite smile. "This is just a normal job interview, Mr. Cooke. If you have nothing else to say, I should go. My husband is waiting for me at home."

I tried to walk past him.

The next second, his hand shot out and grabbed my shoulder. He shoved me back against the hallway wall. His voice came out low and tight. "Your husband?"

I frowned and pushed against his arm, trying to get him off me. The muscles in his forearm were tense, the veins standing out. The anger in his eyes startled me.

"Is he your new sugar daddy?" he demanded.

A few years ago, a question like that would have made me furious.

Now, it just felt pointless. It was like he was picking a fight for no reason.

I pushed him away slowly and rubbed my shoulder, which still ached. "Don't say things like that. If you don't have anything else to say, please stop blocking my way."

"Vince!" Oliver snapped. "Tell me what's going on."

I hadn't expected him to keep following me. He grabbed my wrist, but I pulled free this time, irritation rising.

"What else is there to say?" I shot back. "Milo and I are married. Isn't that clear enough?"

At the sound of Milo's name, Oliver froze.

He stared at my face for a long time, as if trying to catch a hint that I was lying. But I wasn't. I had no reason to lie. Milo and I were actually married.

We had gone to another city together to meet a business partner. By the time we got there, the company was already out of money.

That night, we sat with our return tickets in hand, the future uncertain.

Milo told me we should end things once we got back.

I said no. Instead, I found a church that stayed open all night. While he was still in shock, I walked straight in and filed the paperwork for our marriage.

I never understood why, but remembering that moment always made me feel calm. The irritation from seeing Oliver faded away.