Chapter 3

I scoffed to myself.

Over the years, I pulled strings to land Maddox his job, and I paid out of pocket for the car he drove.

On top of that, Melody had been secretly funneling him money from my paycheck.

I was about to refuse when the phone in my pocket rang.

It was Melody calling.

I picked up, and Melody’s smug voice came through.

“Parker, I take it you saw the video online? How does it feel now?

“Scared? If you are, you’d better write me a long apology and publish it for all to see.

“Unfreeze all my cards and buy Maddox another car.

“Or this isn’t over!”

The sheer arrogance in her voice somehow made my anger disappear.

“Dream on, Melody.” My voice was icy.

“Start looking for a good lawyer. I’m filing for divorce, and you won’t get a dime out of me.”

I ended the call.

Maddox scowled at me.

“What’s with your attitude, Parker? Are you actually trying to end things with Melody?

“Then again, Melody is hot. Guys are dying to hate her, so you won’t be missed.”

He stared at me with a smirk, clearly hinting at something more.

I immediately put on a helpless, heartbroken expression and let out a heavy sigh.

“Maddox, you’ve always been like family to me. Of course, I’m happy to buy you a car.

“But as you can see, Melody holds the purse strings. She maxed out my cards yesterday.

“If she hands over the money for your car, I won’t go through with the divorce.

“Too bad she told me the money’s gone. I have no choice but to walk away from the marriage and cut my losses.”

Maddox grimaced.

“The money’s gone? No way!

“Just last month I saw over half a million in her account with my own eyes! She literally swore that was set aside for my wedding and my car!”

Keeping a straight face, I kept stirring the pot.

“Really? That’s strange. She told me yesterday that the bank account was bone dry.

“Looking at the charges, it was all luxury designer stuff for guys. I’m talking about belts, limited-edition lighters… I thought those purchases were for you.”

“Like hell she did! I bet she bought those for her side piece!”

My heart sank. Still, I put on a look of disbelief.

“What side piece? Don’t talk crazy. Melody wouldn’t do anything like that.”

“Yeah, right!”

Panicking to prove his point, Maddox whipped out his phone, scrolled to a picture, and shoved it in my face.

“Look! I took this picture six months ago without her knowing.

“She claimed she was on an out-of-town business trip, but she was actually at an escape room with this guy!”

Six months ago, I happened to be abroad for work.

I’d spent countless sleepless nights in a foreign country, working myself to the bone to secure those multimillion-dollar contracts. My stomach pain had gotten so bad that I’d collapsed on the floor, writhing in agony.

Meanwhile, Melody was busy getting with another man.

Even that so-called grocery gift card, the very thing that had nearly starved my mother into developing gastritis, turned out to be a love token she’d exchanged with her affair partner!