Chapter 2

Back home, the mark on my ring finger was already starting to fade.

That ring had never really fit my finger right.

When Anderson first gave it to me, I could barely get it past my second knuckle.

"What does a science nerd like me know about fashion? If you don't like it, don't wear it. I can't wear jewelry in the lab anyway."

He'd run a frustrated hand through his hair, while I silently mapped out a six-month diet plan.

When I could finally slide it all the way on, I was over the moon, completely overlooking the fact that it was just a plain silver band.

With Anderson's income, he could've bought ten of those rings and not even batted an eye.

My phone ringing jolted me from my thoughts.

"Ms. Ford, the security system you reported is all fixed now. It was a data transmission issue, and we took care of it remotely. Could you please check it on your end? Just let us know if there are any problems."

"Okay," I murmured, pulling up the security cam app.

Any lingering drowsiness vanished in an instant.

On the security feed, Anderson and Katelyn were arm in arm, dressed to the nines, walking down a red carpet right there in the lab.

They were surrounded by all their colleagues, who were clapping and cheering them on.

"Anderson, we've always said Ava was never good enough for you! If Katelyn hadn't gone to Stanford for that fellowship, that rich bitch never would've sunk her claws into you." Others chimed in to agree: "Exactly! Isn't she just rich because of her family? Always flaunting it! You two are the real power couple, the genius and the knockout."

I knew every single person saying those things in that clip.

Since Anderson claimed he was swamped with work and couldn't delay the experiments, we didn't even have a real wedding; we just went to the lab and passed out some celebratory treats.

Back then, every last one of them would smile and call me "Mrs. Anderson."

"Mrs. Anderson, we never could have afforded this cutting-edge equipment without your support!"

"We really have to thank you for those kids with heart conditions!"

When I discreetly asked around if Anderson was close to any female colleagues, they’d all just share these knowing little smiles:

"No way! Our Anderson always keeps his distance from other women."

"That's right, Mrs. Anderson. You're the special one."

I was such a fool, completely taken in by their act.

So it turned out, just like Anderson himself had said, I was nothing more than a showpiece he’d married to get his hands on research funding.

Suddenly, a news notification pinged on my phone:

Davidson Institute Announces: Breakthrough Heart Medication for Kids Successfully Developed!

Davidson's research team had started a full two years after Anderson's.

And now they were already getting results, while Anderson's team, in stark contrast, hadn't made an inch of progress.

I had to call him five times before Anderson finally picked up."Ava, how many times do I have to tell you, don't call me during work hours!"

"The Davidson Institute has already developed a miracle drug for children with heart disease," I said, my voice steady. "So, how's your progress?"

Anderson was speechless for a beat, then his usual arrogance snapped right back:

"What the hell do you know? That’s just some bullshit marketing tactics where they paid off the media, trying to sucker fools like you!"

He snarled, "How can you be so goddamn naive, believing every little thing? And when you're out, for God's sake, don't tell anyone you're my wife! It's a complete embarrassment!"

He hung up. The dial tone buzzed in my ear. I bit the inside of my cheek.

I was the one who paid for the lab.

I bought all the equipment.

The journal subscriptions, the expert introductions—I handled all of that myself.

But now, I didn’t even have the right to ask.

I rubbed my temples and called my assistant:

"Sarah, cut off all funding to Anderson's lab. Immediately."