Chapter 3

As the new menswear brand progressed, Celeste worked overtime more frequently and sometimes didn't come home until 1:00 am or 2:00 am.

She said the new collection had hit a bottleneck.

I told her not to overwork herself, but she'd just smile and say she was fine.

Then, another detail raised my guard.

When Celeste came home, her body wash seemed different. We'd always used the cedar-scented body wash at home, but for days, she carried this sugary floral scent.

When I asked, she brushed it off by saying, "The pantry at the office stocked new toiletries. If I stay late, I would just shower there since I don't want to come home and wake you."

It was a perfect excuse, but the unease in my mind sprouted like mad.

On another late night, she texted to tell me that she might pull an all-nighter and told me to go to sleep first.

I tossed and turned in bed before finding myself checking the security camera footage again.

The office lights were on, but Celeste's seat was empty.

Frowning, I scrolled back a few minutes in the footage and noticed that just minutes earlier, a figure had flashed past the camera and quickly moved into a blind spot inside the office.

Though it was just a glimpse, I was sure it wasn't Celeste!

I jumped out of bed and threw on my clothes in the shortest time possible. After packing the simmered chicken soup into an insulated thermal flask, I rushed out of the house with it.

15 minutes later, I was downstairs at her company. Only her office was lit throughout the entire floor.

My heart pounded as I walked to her office door and noticed it was unlocked. When I pushed it open, it was empty.

How could it be? I saw a man go in!

I checked the design department, the pantry, storage room, and every possible hiding spot. However, there was no one around.

Breathing heavily, I returned to Celeste's office and heard the rustle of fabric, mixed with a woman's suppressed panting. It seemed to come from near the corner of the room.

I moved quietly toward the sound.

Up close, I noticed a narrow gap between a panel and the wall with light seeping through.

Without a second thought, I yanked the panel open and shouted, "Celeste! What are you doing?"

Behind the panel was a small space, almost like a mini fitting room. Celeste stood inside, staring at me in shock while holding the arm of a mannequin.

There wasn't a living person in the space other than her.

Looking at my twisted expression, she seemed utterly confused. "Babe? What are you doing here?"