Chapter 2

After his shower, Sigmund lowered his head and caught her ear between his teeth, his fingers slipping beneath her shirt.

When Michelle tried to stop him, it was already too late. He pushed her down onto the bed, covering her lips with his as he moved to take her.

Then his phone rang.

Seeing the caller ID, Sigmund froze for a second before quickly answering.

“Sigmund, I think someone broke into my house. Can you come over?”

His tone softened instantly, gentle and reassuring. “Stay where you are. Don’t worry, I’ll be right there.”

After hanging up, he brushed a quick kiss against Michelle’s lips. “Another job called last minute. They need me to cover a shift.”

Michelle said quietly, “Didn’t I tell you not to overwork yourself?”

“Things are different now. I know your family’s in trouble, so I need to work harder to take care of you,” Sigmund said, patting her head before changing clothes and heading out.

He didn’t return until late that night.

When he walked in, he noticed something was missing.

Then he realized all the things they’d once shared as a couple were gone.

Those were the little things she had carefully picked out after each date.

“What’s this about? Cleaning up all of a sudden? I thought those were your favorites.”

Michelle tossed a few more items into the trash and said casually, “I don’t like them anymore. I’ll buy new ones when I find something I like.”

Sigmund’s chest tightened for no reason, and he quickly grabbed her hand. “It’s late. Where are you going?”

“I’m staying at home tonight.”

Since moving in with Sigmund, Michelle had seldom gone back to her family home. During the height of her love for him, the only place where she could fall asleep peacefully was in his arms.

She gave him a faint smile, picked up her luggage, and walked out the door.

Once in the car, her phone rang again.

It was the real estate agent. “Miss Lowe, if you want to sell the villa quickly, you’ll take a loss. Are you sure? I can list it immediately if you’re certain.”

“The price doesn’t matter,” Michelle said steadily. “The sooner it’s sold, the better.”

The villa was one Michelle had bought for Sigmund three years ago.

The study, bathroom, and balcony—every corner still carried traces of their intimacy.

Even after her family’s downfall, she still thought about leaving a part of her wealth behind for Sigmund.

She wanted to ensure he’d have a secure future.

But now she realized he had never needed any of it.

He knew about her family’s bankruptcy, watched her getting forced into marriage, and did nothing.

When she was most desperate for money, he was still pretending to be poor right in front of her.

A faint, bitter smile tugged at Michelle’s lips.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message—someone wanted to meet her.

“Miss Lowe, my name is Emily Rivers. I’m Sigmund’s ex-girlfriend. He probably never mentioned me to you.

“Three years ago, I left the country to study after we had a fight, but we never officially broke up. Now that I’m back, Sigmund will come back to me.

“Last night, he was out the entire time. Aren’t you curious where he was? Don’t tell me you actually believe he’s so poor he had to work an overnight shift at that club.”

After speaking, Emily took out a bank card and slid it across the table toward Michelle.

“I know you’re short on money. Here’s 6 million dollars. You can use it however you need. But I have one condition. You have to leave Sigmund.”