Chapter 1 Cunning

The moment I signed the papers, a gleam of triumph shone in my fiancee, Yvonne Quinton's eyes. But when I looked at her, she put on a mask that told me she too felt conflicted.

"I'll get the best lawyers for you, Shawn. Even when you're in prison, I'll do my best to get you an early release."

I held down my sardonic smile. Coolly, I said, "Spare me."

She pretended to worry. "Shawn, I know you don't like this, but you can't just give up. Your parents…"

She wouldn't stop talking about how she was worried about me. I'd have believed her, but my previous life told me she was a snake.

When I refused to sign the papers in my previous life, she turned on me. She forged evidence that would slam me in prison. She bought out some inmates, and they took away my right to be a father.

I had nothing but hatred for her. She told Christopher Welson to steal Leidermann Group's secrets, but I had to take the fall. Me, an innocent person.

"Shawn?" Her voice pulled me back to reality. "You don't look so good. What's wrong?"

I balled my fists, and my nails clawed into my flesh. "It's nothing." I forced a smile. "Prison scares me, that's all."

She tried to hold my hand, but I moved away quietly. That surprised her a little, but the delight of getting my confession papers overwhelmed her. She carefully tucked them away into her suitcase.

"I'll hand these over to the judge when the session opens in three days." She promised, "I'll make sure no one knows about this."

I nodded coolly. Then, I was bailed and awaited my trial.

…

When I left the court, she opened the car door for me and held her hand against my forehead, just like the way I did for her for the last three years.

Alas, nothing was the same anymore. Even so, she still acted the part of a caring lover. The look she gave me was nothing short of tender.

"I'll take you home, Shawn."

'Home?' I sneered quietly. The villa that was supposed to be the chest that stored our memories had no place for me. I knew that much.

And my instincts were true. The first thing that hit me when I got home was the scent of another man's cologne.

Everything inside was changed. I was a minimalist, but the decor was nothing short of loud and gaudy.

The wedding portrait that was supposed to be in the center of the living room was shoved into the storeroom like some sort of miscellaneous item. Dust was its blanket now.

She noticed me staring at the portrait. A hint of awkwardness flickered on her face, but she composed herself right away. "It's all Christopher's idea, Shawn."