Chapter 1

When I got home from work, I noticed one of the spare keys on the table was missing.

I asked my husband Ethan about it.

He said he'd lost it.

In the shower, I spotted a strand of hair stuck to the drain.

Long, curly, wine-red.

My hair was short.

Soon after, I received a message on my phone.

It was from Vivian, Ethan's newly hired assistant.

"Aria, Ethan gave me a spare key the other day. He said it was for convenience."

I didn't respond.

The next day, I changed the locks.

Then I posted a message in the company's group chat.

"Locks have been changed. If Vivian wants a new key, she can come find me."

The moment Ethan got home, his face darkened.

"Aria Summers, have you lost your mind? What nonsense are you spouting in the company group? Do you know what people are saying about her?"

I set down the soup.

Looking straight at him, I asked, "Then why did you lie about losing the key?"

He froze.

After a long pause, he sighed, his voice softening slightly.

"Vivian is my assistant. Giving her a key was just for convenience. I lied because I was worried you'd overthink things. Did you really need to react like this?"

I was silent for a few seconds, my voice hoarse.

"Should I just give her all the keys then?"

"Aria Summers!"

Ethan raised his voice impatiently.

"Vivian left crying this afternoon. She and I are just normal colleagues. Can you stop being so paranoid?"

"Then how do you explain the overlapping handprints on the shower wall?"

"What handprints?"

I grabbed his arm and pulled him into the bathroom, pointing at the wall where the handprints should be.

But there was nothing there.

Ethan immediately shook me off and snorted coldly.

"I don't want to fight with you, but this better not happen again! Go reflect on yourself."

Then he kicked me out of the group chat.

A new notification popped up on my screen, showing that I, the administrative assistant, had been terminated.

The grayed-out group number and the termination notice.

Like two heavy slaps across my face, leaving it burning.

The fragrance of soup drifted from the kitchen into my nostrils.

Suddenly, it didn't smell good anymore.