Chapter 2

The opportunity came quickly.

In the afternoon, Nikita showed up. She brought a cake from my favorite bakery, and the moment she stepped inside, she wrapped me up in a huge hug.

"Anya, you scared me to death! I heard you had a high fever, and I was so worried!" Nikita exclaimed.

Her arms were as warm as always, and she spoke to me with that same familiar closeness.

I let her hug me, stiff as a board, but my eyes kept wandering to the parrot cage in the corner of the living room.

Tracy was staring at us with her tiny black eyes, not blinking once.

Benjamin took the cake from Nikita with practiced ease and said, "Hey, you're here. Anya just got over her fever. Why don't you keep her company while I cut the cake?"

Nikita replied sweetly, "Sure thing, Benjamin! You're the best."

The whole scene felt so harmonious, just like all those countless days and nights before.

If it weren't for what Tracy had told me that morning, I probably would've been touched by how much they cared about me.

Nikita sat me down on the couch, took my hand, and looked me up and down.

"You've gotten so thin. Your face is smaller now. Benjamin, how could you let her end up like this?" she said. Her voice carried a hint of reproach, but her eyes were full of genuine concern.

I looked at her beautiful face, feeling a swirl of emotions inside.

We'd been best friends since college, sharing everything. I even used to imagine that if we ever had kids, we'd make sure they grew up like siblings, so our families would be tied together even more.

I couldn't believe she'd betray me.

"He's been working so hard. When I had that fever, he barely slept at all," I said softly, defending Benjamin while watching her closely for any sign of emotion.

Nikita pursed her lips, a passing complicated expression flickering across her face.

"That's his job. You're his wife. If he doesn't look after you, who will?" she said.

She paused for a moment, then changed the subject. "By the way, Anya, what are you going to do with your parents' life insurance payout? It's a huge sum. Just letting it sit in the bank isn't really doing much."

There she was. My heart skipped a beat.

I pretended not to care, absently playing with my fingers as I replied, "I haven't really thought about it yet. I'll just let it sit for now. I'm not in the mood to deal with any of that right now."

"Ugh, you're always like this. You never care about money," Nikita said, sounding exasperated. "The investment market is so good right now. If you let Benjamin handle your money, he could easily double it for you in three years, tops!"

She looked at Benjamin with a smile.

Benjamin worked as a manager at an investment company, and his track record was always solid.

I used to think about letting him manage my money, too. But now...

I looked up at Nikita, catching her eager eyes, and asked quietly, "You want Benjamin to handle it? You really trust him that much?"

Nikita answered without a second thought, "Of course! Benjamin is a well-known investment expert! Besides, why would he ever do you wrong? You two are husband and wife!"

She deliberately stressed the word "husband and wife."

I lowered my gaze, masking the chill in my eyes.

Just then, Benjamin called out from the kitchen, "Nikita, come give me a hand. This cream's a pain."

"Coming!" Nikita replied. She let go of my hand and skipped into the kitchen.

Now it was just the parrot and me in the living room.

I immediately looked over at Tracy.

Tracy caught on instantly, lowering her voice and starting a live commentary.

Tracy murmured, "That woman is pinching Boss's waist! He just grabbed her hand!

"They're kissing! They're kissing! Ugh, they're making out, tongues and all! So disgusting!"

My nails dug so deep into my palms that blood oozed from the crescent marks.

I thought I'd lose it, go crazy, and storm into the kitchen to rip those cheating bastards to shreds.

But I didn't. I just sat there in silence, listening to Tracy's blow-by-blow commentary, feeling the blood in my veins turn to ice, bit by bit.

It turned out that ultimate betrayal wouldn't drive someone hysterical. It just froze them to the core.

Soon, the sounds from the kitchen faded away.

Nikita came out carrying the sliced cake, her cheeks a little too rosy to be normal.

She handed me the cake, beaming as if nothing had happened.

"Anya, go ahead, try it. Your favorite, Black Forest," Nikita said, smiling.

I glanced at her, then at Benjamin as he followed her out.

Benjamin's lips looked a bit redder than usual, with a dab of white cream still clinging to them. He absently ran his tongue over his lips.

That sight made my stomach twist.

I shoved the cake aside, covered my mouth, and dashed into the bathroom, vomiting until my knees buckled.

Behind me, their concerned voices echoed.

"Anya, what's wrong?" Nikita called out.

"Is your stomach upset? I'll grab some medicine for you!" Benjamin said.