Chapter 2
When I wake up the next morning, Lucas made breakfast ready.
He walked out of the kitchen with an apron on, carrying two plates of eggs and bacon.
Sun-licked face, making the moment feel like a scene straight out of a picture-perfect family sitcom.
"Morning, babe. You're awake?" He smiled and pulled out a chair for me."Come try it, I made your eggs exactly how you like. They are well done," he said.
I walked over, sat down, and picked up my fork.
Everything looked totally normal.
That is, until his phone started buzzing on the table, three times in a row.
Lucas glanced at the screen and let it ring.
He turned the phone over and set it face down on the table.
"Why aren't you picking up?" I cut off a small piece of bacon and popped it into my mouth.
"Just a telemarketer. Don't worry about it." He took a sip of his milk, a bit distant look.
"By the way, Viv, we might have to change our flight to the Coral Isles this afternoon." He added.
"Why?" I put down my knife and fork and looked at him.
He let out a sigh, his brow furrowed. "There's something at the company.
"Some data for a major project went sideways, and the partners are freaking out. I have to go back and sort it out myself."
"Is it important?" I asked.
He reached across the table and took my hand, looking at me like a lost puppy, "Sure as dead.
"This is about the company's profits for the rest of the year. Babe, can you cut me some slack?
"Once I handle this, I swear I'll take you to Orvena for two weeks as payback."
I watched as he held my hand.
His hand felt dry and warm.
I slowly pulled my hand away, "Alright."
I wiped my mouth with a napkin, "Work comes first. Go take care of it."
Lucas let out a sigh of relief.
He stood up, walked over, and kissed the top of my head, "You're so understanding, babe. I'm off to the office now. Lelax at home."
He took off his apron, grabbed his coat and phone, and hurried toward the front door.
The door shut. Nothing left behind.
I got up and walked into the walk-in closet.
I opened his laptop.
Even though he'd wiped all his messages, he forgot one thing.
His CloudSync account was still linked to mine.
We set it up back then so we could send each other photos more easily.
I opened up our shared CloudSync album.
The most recent photos had been uploaded in the middle of the night.
The photos showed a Ragdoll cat.
The cat was wearing a pink collar.
Etched into the collar were two letters, G and X.
Those weren't Lucas's initials.
And they sure as hell weren't mine.
I kept scrolling through the album.
One of the photos was a screenshot of a shopping receipt.
The purchase date was a week ago.
That's a limited-edition TomFord lipstick.
For Stella Grant.
The delivery address is 802, Building 12, Riverside Gardens.
Stella Grant. I looked at the name. It sounded familiar.
Then it hit me. She was the younger student Lucas had supported financially back in college.
Last I heard, she'd gone abroad to study art.
Lucas had mentioned her to me once, with this pity in his voice, "Poor thing. An orphan but not like Hamilton. Painting was the only thing she had."
So much for his so-called pity. It had turned into limited-edition lipstick and a Ragdoll cat, all for Stella.
I picked up my phone and dialed my personal assistant, "Help me check on someone."
I stared out at the blinding sunlight, cold as ice, "Stella Grant, 802, Building 12, Riverside Gardens.
"I want to know when she returned from abroad. And I want a full rundown of all her assets."
After hanging up, I walked over to the window.
Down below, Lucas's car was slowly pulling out from the garage.
I watched as his black Mercedes merged into the traffic.
Just then, my phone started ringing.
It was a number I didn't recognize.
I answered the call. It's a young girl. Feel like mix of feigned innocence and bold entitlement, "Vivian? That's you, right?
"Hey, it's Stella Grant.
"Luke left his tie. I was thinking maybe you can come over for that."