Chapter 4

My phone vibrated in my hand. Sophie sent over a location with a message. [Come straight to this restaurant at noon. I've booked a private room. Trust me. You're in for a surprise.]

I sent back a simple confirmation before opening my contact list. I scrolled until I found a number I hadn't reached out to in a long time.

The call connected almost instantly.

"Ms. Rivers? It's been a while." Mason Garcia's voice was crisp and professional. "How can I help you?"

"I'm looking to consult on the division of shared couple assets," I said. "But I'll need you to run some background research first."

"Understood. Is the other party Mr. Adam Bennett?"

"How did you know?"

Mason chuckled. "I saw you two at a business gala last year. Mr. Bennett gave a speech and said you were the light of his life, that he wouldn't be where he is today without you. That really stuck with me."

I remembered that day too.

Adam's company had secured their second round of funding. He stood on stage with a shaky voice to thank me, calling me his only source of hope and support.

The audience had burst into loud applause while I sat teary-eyed, my makeup smudged from crying.

Now that I thought about it, Emily was there too.

She had been present as one of the investor representatives, seated in the front row. Her gaze had been fixed firmly on Adam, sharp and intense enough to burn.

"So, Ms. Rivers, what exactly do you want me to look into?" Mason asked.

"Everything you can dig up," I said, gazing out the window at the gloomy sky. "His assets, accounts, company shares, and... a woman named Emily Carter."

"How fast do you need me to get this done?"

"I want everything finished as soon as possible."

"I can complete the work within three to five business days. I will send the service fee breakdown to your email."

"Okay."

Right after I ended the call, a bank notification popped up on my phone.

Adam's secondary credit card had been charged 19 thousand dollars at a high-end jewelry boutique.

No special anniversary or holiday fell on today's date. The only plausible explanation was a celebration for an unexpected pregnancy.

I took a screenshot of the transaction record and dialed Sophie's number. "Sophie, can we push the party to tonight? Something popped up for me at noon."

"What? But I've already told everyone the plans," Sophie responded.

"How about we start at six tonight? I'll cover the whole bill at that upscale restaurant you've wanted to try. They serve premium beef with unlimited refills."

Sophie's tone lifted instantly with excitement. "Claire, did you strike it rich or something?"

"You could say that." I smiled faintly. "It's time for me to claim the returns on some long-term investments."

*****

At noon, I stood across from the luxury jewelry store.

Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, I had a clear view of what was going on inside. Adam and Emily were side by side at the counter, and the salesperson was presenting a velvet box.

Emily covered her mouth in surprise before standing on her tiptoes to kiss Adam's cheek.

Adam didn't pull away. Instead, he pulled her in by the waist.

I raised my phone and started snapping pictures.

When I zoomed in, I saw a diamond band already sitting on Emily's left ring finger. The associate was showing her a matching diamond necklace in the box.

It turned out she had been wearing the ring all along. It explained why she had been rushing to solidify her place beside him.

I turned and walked into the pharmacy next door, picking up a pregnancy test and a bottle of folic acid supplements.

At the checkout, the clerk smiled warmly. "Congratulations! How many months along are you?"

"Not sure yet," I said. "It might be a false alarm."

The clerk smiled politely without pressing further.

I got back home at three in the afternoon.

Adam's suitcase lay open on the bedroom floor, and he was rushing to fold and pack his clothes.

"Going on a business trip?" I asked.

He jumped in shock and nearly tripped over his own feet when he spun around to face me. "Claire? I thought you were at the party."

"The party got rescheduled for tonight." I leaned against the doorframe. "Where are you heading off to?"

"I need to go to Sheriston for a few days." He avoided my eyes while shoving shirts carelessly into his suitcase. "There's an urgent project I need to handle there."

"I see." I stepped into the room and picked up his phone from the nightstand. Our couple photo still showed on his lock screen when the screen lit up.

"What time is your flight?" I asked.

"Six," Adam said, quickly snatching the phone back. "I need to hurry."

"Let me help you pack," I offered naturally, reaching out to take the clothes from his hands. "How many days will you be gone? How many pairs of underwear should you pack?"

"Th-three days, I suppose," he stammered.

I nodded and pulled open the dresser drawer that held his undergarments.

A pair of black lace underwear sat on the very top. It didn't fit my size, and it was nothing close to my usual style.

Adam's face drained of color the second his eyes fell on the item in my hand.

"Wait..." I lifted the underwear, the lace fabric trembling faintly between my fingers. "When did you buy this? I never knew you had this kind of taste."

"It's... it's yours, isn't it?" he stammered, his voice unsteady.

"I never wear black lace." I locked eyes with him. "You know I only go for simple cotton ones."

The air went dead silent.

Adam swallowed hard, sweat beading on his forehead. "Maybe the dry cleaner messed up? Or maybe Sophie left it here when she stayed the night?"

"Sophie did visit last week." I tossed the underwear back into the drawer casually. "But she only came to borrow clothes for her ex's wedding. She had no reason to leave personal items in your drawer."

"Claire, let me explain—"

"Explain what?" I smiled softly. "It's just a random piece of clothing. It's probably nothing more than a silly mistake. Finish packing so you don't miss your flight."