Chapter 002

Alessia let out a laugh. It was sharp, bitter, and full of disbelief. She stared at her husband, the man she had once thought would always stand by her. He didn’t even pause. Not once did he ask what happened. Not once did he look at her and say, "Tell me your side."

"Apologize," Klein said again, his voice louder and colder.

Alessia looked down at Olivia who was still kneeling on the floor like some fragile little doll. Olivia sniffled softly, her shoulders trembling… but when she glanced up, Alessia instantly saw the wicked, knowing smirk playing on her lips, the kind that said 'I won'

And Alessia realized it in that instant that this wasn’t just some misunderstanding, it was planned.

She felt her heart drop as she looked back at her husband. He couldn’t see it. Or maybe he didn’t want to.

"Apologize for what exactly?" Alessia asked quietly. "For something I didn’t do?"

Klein helped Olivia up, a frown still on his face.

Olivia leaned into him and shook her head. "She’s your wife, Klein. Any wife would react the same way if another woman was in her house. I don’t blame her… If I were her, I might’ve done worse."

Alessia narrowed her eyes. So now she was the reasonable one?

Klein looked annoyed. "I told you before, Olivia, don’t defend people when they’re clearly wrong. She should’ve just admitted her mistake."

Alessia’s mouth dropped open slightly. Mistake?

"My mistake?" she asked.

"Yes. Your mistake." Klein glared at her.

"You just walked in, saw her crying, and immediately blamed me. You didn’t ask what happened. You didn’t ask me anything. You just assumed I did it?”

"Stop overreacting and apologize when you're wrong." Klein said instead.

Alessia stared at him. "You brought your secretary into our home...and I’m the one overreacting?"

Klein made a frustrated sound and turned as if to approach her, but Olivia quickly held onto his arm. "Don’t. Please. She might think something is going on."

Olivia stepped forward slowly, lowering her head again like she was ashamed but Alessia could see the smile playing at the corner of her lips.

"It’s my fault," Olivia said lowly . "Husband and wife shouldn’t fight because of someone like me. I’m just his secretary, nothing more. Please don’t think anything’s going on."

Alessia didn’t respond, she just stared.

Then Olivia reached out and grabbed Alessia’s hands. "If you’re really that upset, you can do whatever you want to me. I don’t mind."

Alessia yanked her hand back, eyes narrowing. “Of course. You’ll probably hit yourself and say it was me. But here’s the thing…” — she stepped forward, her gaze fixed sharply on Olivia’s — “I am the type to do it.”

Without warning, Alessia slapped her hard. Olivia stumbled back and fell to the floor.

"That’s for lying."

Alessia walked over and slapped her again. "That’s for pissing me off."

She raised her hand for another, but Klein rushed over and grabbed her wrist. "That’s enough!” he yelled and shoved her slightly. Alessia staggered back, almost falling.

Alessia blinked, stunned, her mouth parting. He pushed her… for his secretary?

She stared at him, too shocked to speak.

“Klein…” she whispered. “Tell me the truth. Is she the one?”

Klein looked away, refusing to meet her eyes, his hand still resting protectively on Olivia’s arm.

"You’re being unreasonable, Alessia. There’s nothing going on. Stop acting jealous."

Then he turned and said coldly, "I’m ready for work. Let’s go."

Then, without another look at Alessia, he left the house...with Olivia by his side.

The door shut behind them and silence took over the space.

Alessia stood alone in the middle of the room.

"Was I the only one married in this house?” she whispered.

She looked at the table...the dishes she had made for both of them stood there, untouched.

"What’s going on?" she whispered.

****

Alessia was on her way home after a bit of light shopping, bags resting in the backseat, music playing softly. She wasn’t in a rush...just enjoying the breeze drifting in through the window.

But as she drove past a familiar-looking restaurant, her eyes caught something that made her slow down.

Klein’s car.

She almost kept driving, almost convinced herself it might belong to someone else. But something in her gut told her otherwise.

Without thinking too much, she pulled over and parked a few cars away. After grabbing her bag, she got out and walked into the restaurant.

She didn’t even make it far before she paused.

There she was… Olivia. The same woman Klein had brought home under the pretense of needing a place for the night. Alessia narrowed her eyes and then, she followed her quietly.

Inside the female restroom, Olivia was bent slightly over the sink, dabbing her lips with a tissue after throwing up. She looked pale but still wore expensive clothes—clothes Alessia recognized all too well. The handbag resting on the counter was also familiar.

"You’re unwell?" Alessia asked, leaning lazily against the doorframe.

Olivia turned sharply at the sound of her voice, her expression darkening the moment she saw her.

"What? You wanna slap me again?" she rolled her eyes.

Alessia tilted her head with a smile. "Well… I can. If you ask for it."

She stepped forward casually, brushing her fingers against Olivia’s handbag...her nails tapping lightly on the exact same designer model Klein had ordered recently. It wasn’t just similar, it was the same.

Alessia’s smile grew colder.

"Anyway… I think my husband is somewhere around here," she said, straightening up. "I should go see him."

She gave Olivia one last glance, flashing a fake, polite smile before walking out.

She hadn’t gone far when she spotted Klein seated at a table, surrounded by a few others. Another group dinner, most likely.

“Hey,” she greeted with a small wave as she approached. Klein looked up, slightly startled.

“I just saw Olivia in the restroom,” Alessia said smoothly. “She was crying and holding her stomach. Said it hurts and…”

Before she could finish, Klein abruptly stood and rushed off without saying a word.

Alessia raised an eyebrow and slowly turned to face the others, feigning surprise.

“Wow,” she said, her tone calm, “You all must really care about your coworkers. He ran out so fast… guess they’re very close.”

Silence fell over the table. A few people exchanged awkward, guilty glances. One gave a hesitant nod.

Alessia smiled bitterly and stared at the empty seat Klein had left behind.

It was true after all. He was cheating on her. Her eyes lingered on the door he had disappeared through, then she looked back at the group.

“Well,” she said quietly, “I’ll be heading out now. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

With a slight bow, she turned and walked away.

As she approached her car, a dry chuckle escaped her lips.

“Klein, seriously?” she muttered under her breath. “You’re going to regret this.”