Chapter 2

Penny's Twitter was full of photos with Ryan.

But Ryan was careful. Only parts of him ever showed.

I remembered how, whenever we went out, I'd ask to take a photo together.

He'd frown and refuse, saying, "Sorry, Amy, I just don't like taking pictures."

Not even a hand shot. I'd pout, but then recall how once someone posted a candid of him on a campus crush page, and he'd personally messaged the admin to take it down. So I'd let it go.

A young girl's mind was easy to read. She'd always want to mark her territory.

I stared at one photo, focusing on a corner.

A mirror reflected Ryan's face, his smile tender and doting.

A sharp pain shot through my heart.

Ryan and I were college classmates.

He was the famously aloof campus heartthrob. I fell for him at first sight and tried every way to get close.

At first, Ryan coldly rejected me, saying we weren't a match.

Later, maybe moved by my persistence, he softened.

But he never smiled.

Even on our wedding day, he stood stiff and serious at the altar.

Relatives whispered criticisms.

I didn't care. He just wasn't a smiler. As long as he loved me, that was enough.

Back then, if Ryan showed me the slightest affection, I'd have given him my whole heart.

Biting my lip, tears streaming, I numbly screenshotted every photo of Ryan from Penny's Twitter.

I found a tweet from a year ago.

Penny: [Fallen for someone I shouldn't. What do I do? I was here first. You love me too. Why can't we be together?]

Ryan's reply: [Don't overthink, sweetheart. Just trust me and love me. I'll clear any path for us.]

Penny: [Thanks, honey.]

So Penny knew Ryan was married.

One of Ryan's buddies had commented too. [True love can overcome anything.]

I laughed coldly. What a touching, star-crossed romance they had.

They were calling cheating "true love" and calling our wedding an "obstacle."

If I'm the villain here, I might as well play the part.

For the next month, while recovering from childbirth, I kept watching Penny's Twitter.

With me away, Ryan spent even more time with Penny.

Her feed was a bubblegum-pink stream of young love.

Looking at my own sparse chats with Ryan, I wished I could fly back and slap the cheating pair right then.

I took a deep breath and glanced at Ashley sleeping beside me.

Just one more month. I could endure it.

I told my parents everything. They had always doted on me. When I got pregnant, Dad even handed his General Manager position to Ryan so he and Mom could care for me.

And Ryan had to go and do this.

Dad's veins bulged, furious, ready to fly back immediately.

But I stopped him. "Dad, confronting him now isn't the point. I suspect he's been moving assets while we've been away."

Dad paused, frowning. "I'll ask Mr. Bennett."

Mom held me close, her heart aching. "My poor Amy. I can't believe this is what happened right after you had Ashley. Don't worry, your dad and I are behind you."

My eyes stung, tears falling as I buried my face in her shoulder.

Dad returned from his call looking grim. "You were right. Mr. Bennett says Ryan's been pushing out over a dozen shareholders this month, citing 'company restructuring.' Even Mr. Bennett was forced out. He hired several fresh grads, Amy."

Dad hesitated, looking at me.

I understood instantly. It was like a slap to the face.

He hired Penny. Was he trying to quietly take over the company?

I felt like I was falling into an abyss. I was the one who brought this man into the company.

Now he might seize it, then run off with his mistress, making my parents' lifelong work his stepping stone.

Well done, Ryan. Bravo.

I quickly contacted a private investigator I knew.

But I couldn't rush.

Remembering Penny's vague tweet about knowing Ryan for years, I had the PI dig deeper.

With a hefty fee, the PI worked fast.

The report came the next day.

Ryan and Penny were childhood neighbors.

Ryan grew up in a single-parent home. His mother worked long hours, leaving him alone. Penny's parents, feeling sorry for him, often invited him over for meals.

Over time, Ryan became protective of Penny, eight years his junior.

When Ryan was in college, his mother passed away, and he left that city behind.

He met me, married me, and smoothly took over the company.

Two years ago, Penny's parents died. She moved alone to attend Ryan's college.

Ryan met her while entertaining clients at a bar where she worked part-time.

And they reconnected.

Great. A childhood friends-to-lovers tragic romance, huh?

Finally, my postpartum recovery period ended, and I flew back alone.

Right after landing, I checked Penny's Twitter.

She'd posted a location tag, unusually.

It was mine and Ryan's marital home.

I smirked. Bringing his mistress to our home. Ryan really had no shame.

I went home and opened the door.

Clothes were strewn across the living room, the bedroom door slightly ajar.

Noises came from inside.

"Tell me, am I better, or is your wife?" Penny teased, her voice dripping with sweetness.

"You, of course, baby. My heart melted the moment I saw you. Amy's not as pretty; her figure's worse. How could she compare? The only thing she has is a bit of money for us to spend," Ryan replied.

"You're so naughty!" Penny giggled, burying herself in Ryan's arms. "But that's exactly why I like you."

I stood quietly by the door, recording silently.

For half an hour, they poured out their "profound" love for each other.

Afterwards, as Ryan picked Penny up to head to the shower, he finally noticed me.

Immediately, he dropped her. Penny fell straight to the floor.

"Ouch! What's wrong?" Penny, with her back to me, shot Ryan a pout before sweetly wrapping her arms around his leg.

Ryan stiffened, shaking her off.

He walked toward me. "Honey, it's not what you think. Let me explain."

I put my phone away, expressionless. "You have ten minutes to get dressed and meet me at the café downstairs to explain."

Then I turned and left.

Behind me, I heard Penny mutter, "She's such an old hag. She even has wrinkles. So scary."