Chapter 3

After that day, Richard acted like the textbook perfect husband.

He skipped every work dinner and social gathering that wasn't absolutely necessary.

He came home like clockwork every day.

He started teaching himself how to cook all sorts of soups and pulled out every trick he could think of to make me smile.

He even sold that "quiet" villa out in the suburbs.

With the money, he bought me a limited-edition sports car.

He claimed the villa had bad vibes, said it always made him feel unsettled.

He figured it was better to swap it for something I'd enjoy.

He dropped the car keys into my hand.

"Victoria, when you're better, I'll take you driving around the world in this," he said.

I looked at him and sneered in my heart.

What a great actor. It was only a house he sold, but his affection for that other family never wavered.

My assistant told me that Grace and Anna moved into a swankier apartment downtown.

They were paying 100 thousand dollars a month in rent.

Naturally, Richard was picking up the tab.

Anna transferred to a more expensive international school.

Richard started visiting them more frequently.

He got sneakier about it.

He probably figured I was too sick to notice any of it.

Every day, he played the role of the devoted husband in front of me.

He was always fussing over me, asking if I was cold or warm, tending to my every need.

Sometimes, watching him rush about, I'd get caught up in the illusion, as if we really were still that couple who stuck together through thick and thin.

But then I'd remember that family photo and that girl, Anna.

All that remained in my heart was icy hatred.

My health was getting worse by the day.

The side effects from chemo were brutal.

I started losing clumps of hair and throwing up everything I ate.

I was so thin that I barely looked like myself.

Most of the time, I could only lie in bed.

Richard hired the best caregivers money could buy, but he still insisted on doing everything himself.

He'd feed me and wipe my body.

The more he did this, the more disgusted I felt.

That afternoon, I was finally feeling a little better than usual.

I was lounging in a chair by the window, basking in the sunlight.

Richard walked in with a tablet in his hands.

There was that ingratiating smile plastered on his face, trying hard to please. "Victoria, take a look at this."

I reached out and took the tablet from him.

On the screen was the company's third-quarter financial report.

Profits were up by twenty percent.

"Our new project is killing it in the market. The stock price keeps climbing. Focus on your recovery. I've got everything handled," Richard said.

There was a hint of self-satisfaction in his voice, as if it was all thanks to him.

I looked at those numbers. Every dollar here was earned with my own blood, sweat, and tears.

I fought for every deal myself, and every single decision was made by me.

Richard enjoyed the fruits of my labor.

Now, he wanted to claim everything as his own.

I handed the tablet back to him. "You've worked hard," I said. My voice was weak.

Richard took my hand. "Come on, we're husband and wife. Why mention hard work? What's yours is mine, and what's mine is yours."

He said it like it was the most normal thing in the world.

I looked at him. Suddenly, I felt like messing with him a little.

"Richard," I said. "When I'm gone, the company will be all yours."

Richard's eyes lit up for a split second. It was a flash of pure, unbridled joy.

It lasted only a second, so fast that I almost missed it, but I saw it.

His expression turned somber in an instant. "Don't say that. Why would I want the company without you?"

I smiled. "I'm serious. When I'm gone, Lucas won't care about the business. So who else would I leave this family and the company to, if not you?"

I kept my eyes on him, refusing to look away.

Richard seemed uneasy under my stare. He looked away from me.

"Stop overthinking. You'll be fine," he said.

I continued. "I only have one request."

"What?" he asked right away.

"Take good care of Lucas," I said. "He's my only son. Don't make him feel upset."

I bet Richard hadn't realized that his darling illegitimate daughter, Anna, had only a few good days left.

When I mentioned Lucas, Richard's expression became a little complicated. There was guilt, but more of a feeling of relief.

He nodded quickly. "Don't worry. Lucas is my son too. I'll make sure to treat him right.

"If he changed his mind, the company would always open for him. The position of CEO will always be saved for him."

He could talk the talk, but his actions never matched his words.

All these years, he'd been throwing obstacles in Lucas's way, both openly and behind the scenes.

He thought I didn't know. He'd love nothing more than for Lucas to never come back, so he'd never have to compete with him for the family fortune.

I didn't bother exposing him and closed my eyes. "I'm tired."

Richard helped me lie down, tucked the blanket around me, and kissed my forehead.

"Get some rest," he said. "I've got everything under control."

I could tell he was in a really great mood today. His steps were lighter than usual.

After he left the room, I opened my eyes, stared at the ceiling and started counting down in my mind.

Richard, your sweet little dream was about to end.

*****

Time flew by. Before I knew it, two months had passed.

My body couldn't take it anymore.

The doctor told me my organs were shutting down. I only had a few days left.

I called Melvin to my bedside. Richard was there too. I signed the new share transfer agreement in front of him and transferred ten percent of my shares to Richard.

When Richard saw the agreement, his eyes went wide.

He was literally trembling with excitement.

"Victoria, what are you doing?" he asked.

I gave him a weak smile.

"You've really been working yourself to the bone for the company and for me," I said. "You deserve this."

Ten percent of the shares was nearly 3 billion dollars.

I caught the greed and barely-contained excitement flashing in his eyes.

Richard acted all modest, pretending to refuse. "No, that's way too valuable. I really can't take it."

Melvin, standing off to the side, said coldly, "Mr. Evans, this is Mrs. Evans' sincere gift. Take it."

Richard finally took the shares, acting like it was such a tough decision.

He squeezed my hand, letting his tears fall once more. "Victoria, thank you. Don't worry. I promise I won't let you down."

I looked at him.

Richard, this was only a little appetizer. The main course is still on its way. I hope you're ready for what's coming next.

After signing the agreement, I asked Richard to step outside, telling him I needed to speak with Melvin alone.

Now it was only the two of us in the room. Melvin looked at me, his eyes full of complicated emotions.

"Mrs. Evans, why bother?" he asked.

He couldn't figure out why I was still letting Richard have a little win.

I smiled. "Melvin, if you want to ruin someone, you have to drive them crazy first. The more he gets, the harder he'll hit the ground when it all falls apart."

Melvin froze for a second. Then, it suddenly clicked for him.

He gave me a deep bow. "Mrs. Evans, that was a valuable lesson."

I waved my hand. "Have you got everything ready for the last bit?" I asked.

He nodded. "Everything's set. The will's been notarized. It's foolproof. You can rest easy."

Finally, I could truly rest easy.

I gazed out the window at the sunset.

The sunset bathed half the sky in a deep red glow. It was absolutely stunning.

I murmured, "Lucas, my son."

That was where my last thoughts remained.

*****

Three days later, the inevitable happened.

I, Victoria Evans, was gone when I was forty-eight years old.