Chapter 3

After stepping out of the car, Cade didn't head straight inside. Instead, he stood by the door and made a call.

"Hey, honey. I'm almost home. Are you happy?"

The voice on the other end was pure panic. "C-Cade? Why are you back early? I thought you weren't coming until next week."

"Change of plans," he said, his tone lazy. "What's the matter? Not happy to see me?"

"Of course, I am! When will you be here? I'll open the door for you."

"Soon. By the way, what are you doing? You sound a little out of breath."

"Oh, I-I'm on the treadmill. Yeah, just running."

"I see. Well, I'm pulling up. Get the door."

With that, Cade hung up.

I looked at him. "You have the door code. Why not just go in?"

"What's the rush?"

He arched an eyebrow, looking far too entertained. "Look, they're losing their minds."

He tilted the screen toward me.

On it, the cheating couple was scrambling to get dressed and gather their things, completely flustered.

I watched Reynolds tumble off the bed, stark naked, and scramble underneath it.

It was pathetic and sickening.

I felt a hysterical laugh bubbling up in my throat.

Taking out my own phone, I dialed Reynolds' number.

He picked up almost instantly.

"Hello?" he whispered.

I asked, "Where are you? Why didn't you answer earlier?"

There was a heartbeat of silence before his professional mask slid back on. "I'm with a client. I told you last night I have a very important meeting today. Don't call me right now. I'll get back to you when I'm finished."

"Oh, I see."

"Yeah. I have to go."

The line went dead.

As I stared at the black screen, I almost laughed.

Fine. I couldn't wait to see how he planned to "finish" this.

"Ready?" Cade asked.

I took a deep breath. "Ready. Open the door."

The electronic lock beeped.

The door swung open to reveal a beautiful woman in a pink silk robe. Her face was flushed, her hair was a mess, and her lipstick was smeared across her face.

My eyes darted past her, catching a glimpse of a black stocking peeking out from beside the wardrobe.

The room was still filled with the lingering scent of intimacy.

My stomach churned again.

"Honey, did you come back because you missed me?" Alia tried to sound calm, putting on a sickeningly sweet facade. "I missed you too. Thank you for the surprise."

Her gaze shifted to me. "And who is this?"

Cade smiled. "Her? She's here to catch you in the act."

Alia froze. "W-What?"

"I said, she's with me to catch you in the act."

Cade leaned against the doorframe and spoke slowly. "Alia, we're way past the point of pretending. Give it up."

Alia's face turned deathly pale, but she didn't break. "Pretend what? Cade, what is this? You can't seriously think I'd be messing around with another man in our home."

"Oh? You wouldn't?"

"Where's your proof?"

Cade let out a cold laugh and held up his phone. "Right here."

He shoved the screen inches from her face.

"I installed a camera in the bedroom ages ago, Alia. Did you really think I was that stupid?"

As soon as he spoke, he bent down, seized the bed's edge, and flipped the entire bed with a single, brutal heave.

There was a deafening thud.

And there was Reynolds, crouched on the floor. He still had the silver collar locked around his neck. His face was white with terror, and he looked utterly humiliated.