Chapter 3
I said, "Alright. You're right. I was wrong."
Calvin looked surprised that I backed down so fast. He froze for a second.
He called out, "Tina?"
I said, "I was just being too sensitive. Maybe I'm just feeling anxious because the wedding's coming up. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have doubted you. If Lily doesn't have anywhere else to go, she can keep staying here. It's not cool to kick her out now."
"Really?" Calvin asked, sounding skeptical.
"Really," I said, sniffing and forcing a little sob into my voice. I added, "Just don't be mad at me, okay?"
Calvin finally relaxed.
His voice turned gentle again as he said, "Silly, how could I ever be mad at you? I knew you were always so chill. Come on, stop overthinking. Get some rest. Tomorrow, I'll take you to that restaurant you love."
"Okay," I replied.
As soon as I hung up, any trace of guilt disappeared from my face. I fired up my laptop, logged into a private investigator site I'd signed up for ages ago, and submitted an investigation request.
Subjects of investigation: Calvin and Lily.
I had to find out if things between them were really as squeaky clean as Calvin declared.
The next day, I called in sick. I told Calvin I wasn't feeling well, and he believed me right away, even reminding me to take it easy and get some rest.
At ten in the morning, I got a notification from the My Home app: [Your Fresh Mart order has arrived. The delivery guy is requesting a temporary code to unlock the door.]
I tapped "Allow."
Almost at the same time, my phone rang. It was Calvin.
"Babe, did you order something? The front door just unlocked by itself," he said.
I put on my best surprised voice as I said, "Really? I didn't order anything. Maybe it's just a glitch in the system?"
Calvin said, "Maybe. That freaked me out for a second. Just stay home and get some rest today, okay? I'll come back and keep you company tonight."
After hanging up, I opened a nondescript app on my phone.
It was the tiny hidden camera I'd installed late last night next to the cat bowl in our new place, disguised as a piece of decor.
The feed was crystal clear.
Right there in the living room, Calvin was taking the Fresh Mart bag from the delivery guy.
Lily walked out of the master bedroom, dressed in her silk nightgown.
Turns out she was sleeping in the master room with Calvin.
On that pricey bed my mom and I had carefully picked out together, one could still see the marks from where she'd slept.
Lily casually wrapped her arms around Calvin's waist from behind, resting her head on his back, her voice all sweet and flirty.
"Calvin, who was that on the phone?" she asked.
"Tina," Calvin said, setting the shopping bag down on the dining table. He turned around and gave her cheek a playful pinch. He added, "She seemed a little suspicious, but I fooled her."
Lily scoffed, her gaze flicking over the little "decor" by the cat bowl without a second thought.
She said, "She's way too gullible. But Calvin, you really need to up your game. We can't keep hiding like this forever." She tiptoed up and planted a kiss right on Calvin's lips.
Calvin wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in for a deeper kiss.
The sunlight poured over them, making them look every bit the lovesick couple. I felt sick to my stomach.
They weren't cousins at all. Or rather, their relationship was way more than just family.
I closed the feed, saved the footage, locked it down, and sent it straight to the cloud. Then I leaned back, lost in thought.
Why was Calvin doing this? Was he after my money? My place? He'd graduated from a top school and made it to middle management at a pretty good firm. Sure, he didn't make as much as my family, but he was doing alright.
He didn't need to take such a huge risk just for that.
Unless what they really wanted was way more than that.
That afternoon, the PI sent me the first batch of info.
The info was about Lily. She came from the same village as Calvin.
The official records clearly stated that Calvin's dad and Lily's dad were actual brothers. They were real first cousins, no doubt about it.
The report also had the scoop on Lily's shopping habits.
Over the last three months, she splurged on a bunch of designer bags. The cheapest one set her back at least ten grand.
She even jetted off abroad and didn't settle for economy. She went business class all the way.
And almost every month, Lily's bank account got a set payment from Calvin, like clockwork.
It wasn't a huge sum, just 2 thousand each time.
With Calvin's salary, keeping up with Lily's spending should've left him broke. But somehow, he never seemed to be hurting for cash.
Because he wasn't spending his own money.
I opened up my chat history with Calvin.
Three months ago, he said he wanted to invest in a buddy's project and needed a loan of 70 thousand. I didn't even hesitate; I sent it right over.
Two months ago, he told me his mom was having health issues and needed surgery, so he asked for another 35 thousand. I transferred it without a second thought.
A month ago, he said he wanted our wedding to be a real showstopper but was short on cash, so he asked if I could pitch in. I handed him a secondary card with no spending limit.
Turns out, I was the one paying for all those designer bags and Lily's luxury vacation.
I was nothing but the cash cow funding their whole twisted romance.