Chapter 2

The morning light filtered through the blinds of Max's office as he spread financial documents across his desk. I sat across from him, watching his face for any reaction as he methodically examined each statement.

"This is... thorough," he said finally, looking up at me with those sharp eyes that seemed to miss nothing. "Most people come to me with suspicions. You've brought me a roadmap."

I felt a strange pride at his assessment. "I was a UX designer before I became a trophy wife. I know how to organize information."

Max nodded, his expression serious as he tapped a finger against a bank statement. "The Tesla stock sale is the key. The timing matches perfectly with the down payment on Sierra's Napa condo."

He slid the document toward me. The numbers were right there in black and white—$350,000 transferred from our joint investment account to an account under Sierra's name.

"That money was supposed to be for our retirement," I said, my voice steadier than I expected. "Logan told me the market was volatile and we needed to diversify."

"There's more," Max said, pulling up another screen on his laptop. "These are credit card statements linked to your joint account. Look at these charges."

I leaned forward, scanning the list of transactions. Designer clothing from boutiques in Union Square. A weekend at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay. A first-class ticket to Paris.

"Her shopping sprees," I murmured. "Her vacations. All on our money."

Max nodded grimly. "And look at this pattern—every time there's a large purchase, it's followed by a transfer from your account to hers within 24 hours."

I felt something cold settle in my chest. This wasn't just an affair. This was calculated theft.

"I need to document everything," I said, pulling out my phone. "Can you show me how to track their movements?"

Max raised an eyebrow. "You're thinking like an investigator already."

"I'm thinking like someone who's been played for a fool," I replied. "And I want to know exactly how deep this goes."

---

For the next two weeks, I became a ghost in my own life. I kept my routine exactly the same—morning yoga, grocery shopping, lunch with the ladies from the country club—but now I was gathering data.

I created a spreadsheet in my "Project: New Beginning" folder, documenting Logan's movements with clinical precision.

*Monday: Left for "work" at 7:30 AM. Returned at 8:17 PM. Claimed meeting with investors ran late.*

*Tuesday: "Dinner with Arthur Vance." Actually at Sierra's apartment according to geolocation of his phone (hacked through our shared cloud account).*

*Wednesday: "Working from home." Made three calls to Sierra's number. Doorbell rang at 2:15 PM. Sierra entered with "documents for Logan to sign." Left at 4:30 PM looking flushed.*

I was sitting at my desk, updating the timeline when Luna padded in, her tail thumping against the floor.

"What do you think, girl?" I asked, scratching behind her ears. "Am I crazy for not confronting him yet?"

Luna just looked at me with those wise eyes, as if to say, *You're not crazy. You're planning.*

And she was right. Every smile I gave Logan when he came home, every dinner I prepared, every interested question about his day was part of my design. I was building my case, brick by brick.

---

The dinner party was Logan's idea. "Arthur Vance is finally ready to commit to the Series B," he announced one morning, his eyes bright with excitement. "We need to seal the deal with a perfect evening."

"Of course," I agreed, already planning my menu. "I'll make everything perfect."

And I did. The house glowed with soft lighting. The table was set with our best china. I wore a dress that Logan had once complimented, my hair styled exactly as he liked it.

The guests arrived—Arthur Vance, the lead investor; his wife; two other couples from the venture capital firm. And Sierra.

"Surprise," Logan said, kissing my cheek when he saw my expression. "Sierra has some great connections with the real estate investors who might be interested in our new property development app."

Sierra glowed, her hand resting possessively on Logan's arm as she charmed the room. "Mia, you've outdone yourself with this dinner. Everything is perfect."

I smiled tightly, my eyes catching on the diamond bracelet at her wrist. I recognized it immediately—Tiffany & Co., $3,200. Purchased three days ago with money transferred from our savings account.

"Thank you," I said, refilling her wine glass. "I'm glad you could make it."

Throughout dinner, I played my part flawlessly. I laughed at jokes, asked interested questions about the guests' children, and refilled glasses before they were empty.

But inside, I was cataloging everything. Sierra's hand lingering on Logan's shoulder. The way they exchanged glances when they thought no one was looking. The bracelet catching the light every time she reached for her glass.

After the guests left, Logan pulled me close. "You were amazing tonight," he murmured, his hand sliding down to my waist. "The perfect hostess."

I leaned into him, playing my role one last time. "I'm always happy to help your career," I whispered.

---

"Are you sure about this?" Max asked, holding up one of the tiny cameras we'd purchased.

We were in his office again, this time with a spread of surveillance equipment across his desk.

"Absolutely," I replied, taking the camera from him. "I need evidence that will stand up in court."

Max nodded slowly. "Just remember, in California, you can only record in common areas where you have a right to be. No bathrooms, no bedrooms."

"I understand." I turned the camera over in my hand, examining its tiny lens. "The living room, the kitchen, the hallway. Those are all fair game."

He showed me how to install them—small devices that would blend into the decor of our home. "The footage will upload directly to a secure cloud account," he explained. "Only you and I will have access."

As I listened to his instructions, I felt a strange calm settle over me. This wasn't just about catching Logan and Sierra in a compromising position. This was about building an airtight case.

"What if they find them?" I asked.

"They won't," Max assured me. "But if they do, we'll deal with that when it happens."

I nodded, tucking the cameras into my purse. Tomorrow, while Logan was at work, I would transform our home into my own private intelligence agency.

As I drove home that evening, Luna beside me in the passenger seat, I felt something shift inside me. The woman who had discovered her husband's betrayal on Reddit was gone. In her place was someone new—someone who was done being Plan B.

I glanced at Luna, who seemed to sense my resolve. Her tail thumped against the seat.

"Tomorrow," I told her, "we start collecting evidence."

What I didn't know then was that evidence would come much sooner than I expected—and from the last place I would have predicted.