Chapter 2

When a realization hit him, Christian’s eyes became shifty.

The maid immediately took the plate of shellfish away for disposal.

However, Tabitha raised her arm to stop her.

“Don’t worry about it. Let’s not waste food. Just pack it up for freezing.”

Tabitha turned to Christian. “You can take the shellfish to the office tomorrow. I’m sure someone there is bound to appreciate it.”

Caught between a rock and a hard place, the maid looked to Christian for a decision.

With his heart sinking, Christian grabbed Tabitha’s hand and asked, “What’s wrong, Tabitha? I thought you couldn’t stand the sight of shellfish.”

“You’re right, so it’s a treat for your staff since everybody has been working overtime lately. It would be a shame to waste such a luxury.”

Tabitha’s airtight logic eased Christian’s nerves.

“You’re so thoughtful. Wrap the food up.”

“Of course, Mr. Loader.”

To think Christian could put on an act so flawlessly.

Tabitha quietly watched as Christian packed the food and added a sticky note that read, “From my dear wife, Tabitha.”

Well, Tabitha hoped Christian could keep up with the facade when he was to receive her gift.

…

Tossing and turning into the night, Tabitha couldn’t shake the gloom that kept sleep at bay.

Her phone on the nightstand lit up.

Tabitha unlocked her phone, only to find a notification from a familiar number.

The text message contained several screenshots of chats with the profile pictures removed, the words dripping with flirtation as always.

Without a doubt, Kelsey had sent her private conversations with Christian just to rub her smugness in Tabitha’s face.

The harassment had been ongoing for two months.

Tabitha tapped on Kelsey’s profile to browse through her social feed.

Her most recent update was from two hours ago. “Adopted this adorable little thing with my love today.”

Attached was a picture of a cat.

Christian had always been a cat person, and his avatar proved his love for the furry animal.

Alas, due to Tabitha’s serious allergies, they couldn’t keep a cat.

To Tabitha’s surprise, Christian went ahead and adopted one together with Kelsey anyway.

Kelsey’s post on social media was basically hinting that only she could provide Christian with his idea of a picture-perfect family, which included a cat.

Tabitha scrolled through Kelsey’s feed until the screen light burned her eyes. Eventually, she put her phone down.

Though Christian slept right next to her, the emotional distance between them was an infinite void.

Tabitha was jolted awake by a sharp pain in the dead of the night.

Between her pre-existing gastric issues and the day’s emotional rollercoaster, her stomach was now cramping with intensity.

She reached out to switch on the lamp, only to knock over her glass of water on the nightstand.

The noise startled Christian awake, and he found Tabitha curled up into a ball of agony.

He fumbled for the lights, and the sight of Tabitha in cold sweat threw him into a panic.

“What’s the matter, Tabitha? Is your stomach acting up again?”

“My pills… They are in the drawer.”

At the sound of Tabitha’s fragile voice, Christian bolted to his feet and rummaged through the drawer.

A ringtone cut through the air.

While Christian searched for the pills in desperation, the phone kept ringing.

In the end, Christian snatched the phone and answered the call in frustration.

“Who is it? What do you want? I don’t care what it is, but now isn’t the right time. Do you hear me?”

Seconds before Christian would terminate the call, the sound of sobbing from the other end of the line stunned him.