Chapter 2

I didn't sleep that night. How could I? The betrayal cut too deep, leaving me wide awake as moonlight filtered through our bedroom window. Ryan hadn't come home—probably celebrating with Amanda. The thought made my stomach turn.

By dawn, I'd made my decision. I wouldn't just roll over and accept this theft. I opened my laptop and began compiling evidence—the digital journal I'd kept throughout Dreamscape's development, complete with timestamps, code snippets, and design notes dating back five years. Every breakthrough, every challenge, every late night documented in meticulous detail.

My fingers flew across the keyboard as I drafted a formal complaint to the board of directors. Each word was precise, clinical, detached from the rage simmering beneath my skin. This wasn't about emotions; this was about facts. And the facts were irrefutable.

"I can prove, beyond any reasonable doubt, that Dreamscape is my intellectual creation," I wrote, attaching file after file of evidence. "Amanda Walsh has never contributed a single line of code to this project, nor has she participated in any design meetings prior to the game's completion."

I hit send at 7:30 AM, just as the office would be coming to life. Then I dressed carefully, choosing a crisp white blouse and tailored black pants—armor for the battle ahead.

The emergency board meeting was scheduled for noon. I arrived early, clutching a tablet with all my evidence, and took a seat at the long mahogany table. Board members filtered in, their expressions ranging from curious to uncomfortable. None would meet my eyes.

Ryan entered last, Amanda trailing behind him like a shadow. He didn't look surprised to see me—he'd been expecting this. The realization sent a chill down my spine.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Ryan began, his voice smooth as silk. "Unfortunately, we're dealing with a serious situation that requires immediate attention."

I straightened, ready to present my case, but Ryan continued before I could speak.

"It has come to my attention that my wife, Victoria, is claiming ownership of our company's newest release, Dreamscape." He sighed dramatically. "This is not only false but potentially amounts to corporate espionage."

The room went silent. Corporate espionage? I felt the blood drain from my face.

"What are you talking about?" I demanded, my voice shaking despite my best efforts. "I created Dreamscape. Everyone in the development department knows that."

Ryan's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Victoria, we have documentation showing Amanda's leadership on this project from inception. Your claims appear to be an attempt to undermine a successful product launch out of personal jealousy."

"That's absurd!" I opened my tablet, frantically pulling up my evidence. "I have five years of development logs—"

"Logs that could easily have been fabricated," Ryan cut in smoothly. "The board doesn't need to see your manufactured evidence."

I looked around the table, searching for any ally, any face that showed doubt about Ryan's version of events. I found none.

"Furthermore," Ryan continued, "these baseless accusations are grounds for immediate termination. However, given our... personal relationship, I'm willing to be lenient—provided this matter is dropped immediately."

The threat hung in the air, crystal clear. My job for my silence.

"This is theft," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "You know it, and I know it."

Ryan's expression hardened. "That's enough, Victoria. The board has more important matters to discuss." He turned to the others. "I believe we're done here."

One by one, the board members filed out, leaving me alone with the crushing weight of what had just happened. Not only had my work been stolen, but now my professional reputation was being systematically destroyed by my own husband.

The next morning, I arrived at the office to find an email waiting in my inbox. The company-wide announcement stated that Amanda Walsh had been promoted to Chief Development Officer, effective immediately. My access to the Dreamscape servers had been revoked, and I was being reassigned to a minor support project on the opposite side of the building.

As I gathered my few personal items to move to my new desk—a cramped space near the bathroom, far from the development team—I caught the sympathetic glances of my former colleagues. Some looked away quickly, afraid to be associated with me. Others offered small, sad smiles that said everything: they knew the truth, but they were too afraid to speak up.

I set my box down at my new desk and stared at the blank monitor. This wasn't just about a game anymore. This was war—and Ryan had no idea who he was really fighting.