03

3

"Are you pulling my leg?"

I hastily reached for my coffee, sipping it to conceal my shaky hands. The scalding liquid seared my throat, causing me to flinch.

Matias, always perceptive, deftly offered me a serviette.

"I'm aware of your feelings for Clayton, and he reciprocates. I had resolved to keep my affection for you hidden forever."

"Yet I never anticipated that within a few short years, he'd be concealing another woman."

"Irene," he spoke gently, "I can't stand by and watch you be fooled any longer."

"Walk away from him," he pleaded, his tone low and yearning. "I've been holding out hope for you all this time."

Matias had accompanied Clayton on a work trip. But sensing my unease, he had hurried back in the middle of the night to meet me, worried I might act rashly once the truth surfaced.

I mustered a weak grin, a feeble defense against the turmoil within.

"Don't fret, I won't do anything rash."

"At least not until I reclaim what's rightfully mine."

As I exited the coffee shop, deep in thought, my phone vibrated.

A message from Clayton appeared.

"Honey, my trip wrapped up early. I picked up your favorite strawberry cake. See you at home."

He included a photo of the cake, its sugary allure mocking me.

I didn't reply, silently tallying our joint assets.

Clayton had once loved me enough to entrust me with everything. After six years of marriage, the safe's code was my birthdate, and the bank account number mirrored it.

He had once declared, his eyes full of devotion, "Both my wealth and I belong to you, Irene."

He had vowed, his voice thick with emotion, "If I ever cause you pain, Irene, let me depart with nothing and face an early demise."

Those promises, made in earnest, had likely faded from his memory long ago.

But I recalled every word.

I gathered the videos Matias had sent, revealing Clayton's infidelities, and forwarded them to my attorney.

Naturally, I included the evidence I'd meticulously collected from Odessa's WhatsApp, staying up all night to piece it together.

Just as I closed my laptop, I felt Clayton's arms encircle me from behind.

"Irene, I've missed you terribly."

He brought a chill from outside. And despite his efforts to hide it, a faint trace of another woman's perfume lingered on him.

I quietly pushed him away. "Wasn't your business trip supposed to last three days? Why the early return?"

Clayton smiled tenderly, his hand softly caressing my cheek.

"Have you forgotten what tomorrow is?"

I paused momentarily. "Our sixth wedding anniversary?"

"Precisely."

He playfully tapped my nose.

"Even with my hectic schedule, I couldn't miss celebrating our anniversary with my darling."

I inwardly scoffed.

He was clueless. I had just seen Odessa's latest Instagram post.

She had written, [Some people are truly heartless, satisfying themselves and leaving. But fortunately, tomorrow, he's promised me an even more thrilling experience.]

In the hotel suite, Clayton had arranged an extravagant celebration.

A two-tier cake stood before me, adorned with the words "Grow old together, Happy forever."

The irony was almost suffocating.

Clayton had always discouraged me from drinking excessively, but tonight, he insisted on refilling my glass multiple times.

"Irene, I'm right here. Don't worry, just enjoy your drinks. The chauffeur will drive us home later."

I could detect the mockery in his eyes—his plan was obvious. He wanted me intoxicated so he could slip away unnoticed to rendezvous with his mistress.

Fifteen minutes earlier, as he cut into the cake, a message flashed across his phone.

"I'm here, waiting for you in the restroom."

The profile picture that appeared was one I knew all too well: Odessa.

Suddenly, everything fell into place. Her cryptic Instagram post from the previous night, "That more exciting experience tomorrow," had been a prelude to this moment.

A voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Your meal has arrived."

Clayton's body tensed, his eyes widening in shock.

And there she was, Odessa, disguised as a server, carrying the food.

She placed the dishes down deliberately slowly, her fingers lingering on Clayton's in a manner that left no doubt about their relationship.