Chapter 1

After completing their mission, I overheard the secret agent team playfully teasing Scarlett Grey, "Hey Scarlett, try not to break the bed this time when you're with the captain."

"Tell Carter to be more careful, not me," Scarlett replied with a mischievous grin. "And don't spread rumors in front of my spouse tomorrow."

As she reached for her phone, the team exchanged knowing looks. "You save your love for your husband, but your passion is for Captain Brooks. Scarlett, you're quite the diplomat."

A moment later, my phone vibrated.

As I listened to Scarlett express how much she missed me, my heart felt heavy.

She was unaware that I had covertly joined the team as their intelligence expert, accompanying her on every assignment.

I had remained awake all night when she and Carter Brooks first spent the night together.

After ending my call with Scarlett, I dialed another number. "I accept your proposition. I'll depart from the squad and embrace a peaceful life."

A composed voice answered, "Excellent. Following the success of the decapitation mission, we'll leave the country together. Just three days from now."

——

In the meantime, Scarlett and Carter continued their flirtatious banter on the team's group call, seemingly oblivious to everyone else. The others chuckled, referring to them as 'Mr. and Mrs.' as if it were a shared joke.

Carter had become part of the squad three months earlier. During an operation, he'd been drugged. Scarlett, acting on impulse, entered his room. Three full days and nights passed before Carter emerged, looking thoroughly pleased. Scarlett followed, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Soon after, Carter was promoted to squad captain—largely due to Scarlett's influence. They were inseparable during every mission, always finding reasons to share accommodations.

I had been aware of this for some time, but today, the pain in my chest was still unbearable. With a shaky hand, I accessed the surveillance feed of Scarlett's room.

The high-quality footage showed Carter pressing Scarlett against the floor-to-ceiling window, the glass fogging up from their proximity. Their bodies were intertwined, appearing inseparable. The encounter lasted for four or five hours before finally concluding.

Scarlett headed to the bathroom, with Carter attempting to follow. She abruptly shut him out, saying coldly, "Keep your distance! I'm going home, and I don't want my husband detecting someone else's scent on me."

Carter's voice lowered, "We've faced life and death together, yet I still don't measure up to that ineffectual man?"

Scarlett pulled Carter close by his collar, leaving an ambiguous kiss. However, her words were icy, "My love is only for my husband. Don't dwell on it—it's beneath you. Remember, we agreed from the beginning: no emotional attachments."

Carter held her tightly, "I regret that agreement. I want you completely."

But Scarlett remained resolute. Her expression hardened as she pulled away, "I promised Henry I'd remain with him after this mission."

She left without a backward glance.

When Scarlett arrived home, I was on the couch, reading. She wore the subtle, fresh fragrance I had chosen for her—now an accomplice in concealing her guilt. As she approached, I detected the faintest trace of something else—a scent belonging to Carter.

Despite her thorough cleansing, there were always subtle indications of another man. She positioned herself on my lap, her hands sliding beneath my shirt, signaling her intentions.