Chapter 3
After that, he told me he'd delegated the branch office matter to a subordinate.
He said he'd taken time off specifically to be with me, that he could work from home just fine.
He was a rich heir. What pressing business did he really have? I didn't suspect a thing.
So that was the day the switch happened.
Joel.
So calculating. Ugh!
I took a moment to collect myself, but the anger still simmered.
Yet, I couldn't afford to confront him.
What if I exposed him and he flew into a rage? What if he locked me away somewhere dark?
Hesitantly, I picked a fight. "Richard... you're not quite like you were two months ago..."
I let the sentence hang, then put on a conflicted, regretful expression, as if biting my tongue.
The look on my face seemed to say I was trying to spare his masculine pride.
It was like I'd struck a nerve. He visibly stiffened.
He moved closer, wrapping his arms around me tightly, his voice trembling.
"What is it? How am I different? Give me another chance. I'll prove myself to you."
"It's nothing, really."
"Tell me clearly. What's the difference between now and two months ago?"
"Richard, you've tried your best. I know you have. Don't push yourself too hard."
I shook my head and gave him a few patronizing pats.
He crushed me against his chest, his jaw so tight I thought I could hear his molars grinding.
"I'm not feeling well," I added softly. "Let's just... sleep tonight. No extras."
Though I couldn't see him, I could feel his heart shatter.
[Look at the antagonist's eyes! He's the one turning into a sad puppy now.]
[LMAO, his eyes are actually red.]
[Serves him right for taking advantage and stealing his bro's girl!]
And then, he pounced on me again.
Damn, why were men so strong?
He was like a mountain.
I couldn't push him off at all.
He leaned down, silencing me with his lips.
"I'll prove it to you, baby. Just wait."
Damn.
I instantly regretted my words. I never should have run my mouth.
Another two days passed. My legs felt like jelly.
Once again, I was being fed while cradled in his arms.
Why was I the one feeling weak and drained when he was the one doing all the work?
In the end, I had to bite my lip, tears in my eyes, and admit through gritted teeth that he was, in fact, better than before.
Only then did he finally let me rest.
That night, I lay in bed, reflecting.
How could I have failed to tell my boyfriend and this imposter apart?
A twinge of guilt pricked me. I'd wronged my boyfriend.
But... he was just as good.
It was genuinely hard to distinguish.
After about two seconds of soul-searching, I decided to forgive myself.
My motto: No unnecessary self-punishment.
What's done is done. What else could I do?
I was blind. It was not like I could see the difference.
And his voice was identical.
He probably used a voice modulator.
That made me even more of an innocent victim.
If not for those subtitles, I'd still be in the dark.
Anyway, muddling through was fine.
Having someone take care of all my daily needs wasn't so bad.
Seeing me curled up obediently in bed, listening to one of those dramatic online novels, Joel cleared his throat. "Baby, I have a meeting to attend."
I replied dismissively, not pausing the audiobook.
"Patrick snarled, 'Woman, you are playing with fire!'..."
Ah, the classic, over-the-top tropes never failed to deliver.
he soft creak of the door signaled his departure. The moment he was gone, I slipped out of bed.
I crept along the wall, moving silently, my hands skimming the surface until I found the study door.
"Mr. Montgomery, shall we proceed with the video conference for this meeting?"
"Yeah."
Sure enough. That was Joel's distinct, cultured voice.
"Another matter, sir. Should we continue pulling funds from Mr. Andrews' branch office?"
"Find a way to keep Richard tied up. Don't let him return," Joel said.
"But the branch is practically a shell company now. Richard has likely already boarded a flight back."
[The male lead is coming back! Haha, they're about to get caught! So thrilling!]
[I feel so bad for the female lead. She's completely in the dark.]
[Forget it, just forget it! Listen to me, what's the big deal? Share and share alike, everyone's happy.]
[This is intense! The female lead left the room? Did she discover the antagonist's true face?]