Chapter 2

I took a deep breath and swallowed the curse words that were about to come out.

If I turned on Eden now, all I could do was kick them both out. I wouldn't get any real compensation.

He still had my supplementary credit card. He was driving my car. And I paid for the whole renovation.

I was going to make him cough it all up. And I was going to destroy his reputation.

I said, "Fine. I'll give you three days. Three days from now, if there's even one strand of her hair left in this apartment, you're out too."

Then I turned and walked away. I didn't look back at those two cheating bastards.

*****

That night, Eden showed up at my parents' place.

He was carrying a big bag of mangoes. I didn't even like mangoes.

He had that suck‑up smile on his face. He said, "Hey babe, still mad at me? I already scolded that crazy woman. I told her to move out as soon as possible.

"I was wrong this time. I shouldn't have tried to make a little money off the rent."

I looked at him. "You made up the formaldehyde thing too, didn't you?"

Eden's hand trembled while peeling a mango. He gave a sheepish laugh.

He said, "No way. That was real. I was just thinking about your health. Look, that woman has only lived there for a month, and she's already losing her mind.

"It has to be formaldehyde poisoning."

I said, "Eden, the renovation cost 40,000 dollars. You only give me 2,000 dollars from your paycheck every month. Where's the rest?"

Eden's eyes darted away. "Come on, a guy has to socialize. Don't worry, honey. Once that woman moves out, I'll get the whole place disinfected. Then we can move in.

"Oh, and here's the back rent she paid. 500 dollars. Buy yourself some snacks."

Five hundred dollars.

He used my apartment to keep his mistress. And when he got caught, he tried to fob me off with five hundred dollars.

I looked at the 500 dollars and laughed, "Fine. Since you're so thoughtful, I'll take it."

*****

In the middle of the night, Eden's phone buzzed.

He thought I was asleep. He got up quietly and went outside with his phone.

I opened my eyes and heard his lowered voice.

He whispered, "Baby, does it still hurt? I had no choice. The cops were right there. I was putting on an act for her. Otherwise, she might have really gotten you arrested.

"There, there, stop crying. What does that washed-up woman know? She's just an ATM to me. Once I've bled her dry, I'll kick her to the curb.

"This apartment will be our son's sooner or later. Be good. I can't come over tonight. Tomorrow, I'll take you to buy a bag to make it up to you."

I gritted my teeth and gripped the corner of the blanket tightly.

Good. Eden, since you want to put on an act, I'll play along all the way.

*****

The next morning, as soon as Eden left for work, I walked out the door right behind him.

I didn't go to the office. I went straight to the complex where our new apartment was.

But I didn't go upstairs. Instead, I went around to the garden behind the building.

Through a gap in the bushes, I saw my own balcony. That row of pink lingerie was still hanging there. And now there was even a man's shirt. It was the same one Eden wore yesterday.

I took out my phone and ordered a few micro pinhole cameras. I marked it urgent and requested local express delivery.

Since I was going to get rid of him, I needed to lock down the evidence tight.