Chapter 2: Desolation

The elevator doors opened on the 99th floor. I hobbled on my crutch, step by step toward the emergency stairwell.

The wound on my foot hadn't healed yet, and my heels were rubbing it raw again.

My phone buzzed with a message about Ethan and his guest attending a business association event on the first floor.

I was about to get up to notify him when Ethan appeared before me, grasping my ankle. "Just wear flat sneakers next time."

He pulled out a pair of flats and helped me change into them. "From now on, you don't need to accompany me to corporate events anymore."

At the same time, Sophia opened the office door and emerged in an elegant dress.

She walked to Ethan's side.

Ethan stood and took her delicate hand. "You're not really suitable for these occasions. Sophia will take your place."

I didn't react, just murmured a quiet "oh."

Ethan frowned slightly. "Don't you want to ask why?"

I gritted my teeth. "Mr. Carter, I still have business partnerships to handle, and they're waiting for you downstairs. There's no need to waste time here with me."

He smiled faintly. "Mr. Carter? How formal of you."

He was about to say more when Sophia pouted at him. "Come on, if we don't leave soon, I'll get tired from standing."

He turned to comfort her. "Alright, alright. Can't have my Sophia getting tired."

With that, they quickly left.

That evening, Ethan returned from downstairs looking exhausted, tossing a red coat at me. "It's getting cold. I saw this at the boutique downstairs—the material looked decent."

My expression darkened. "Ethan, we've been married four years. Don't you know I never wear bright colors like this?"

He slammed his office door shut. "Wear it or don't. I don't care."

Opening social media, I saw Sophia's post showing off a dozen shopping bags around her: "Someone who knows I get cold bought me over ten coats!"

When I got home after work, I washed some black lingerie and left it in a bag on the table.

Ethan came home carrying the bag and opened my bedroom door. "What, are you jealous?"

I kept my eyes fixed on the spreadsheet in front of me. "Just reminding you not to forget your things next time."

I stood up and walked past him. "Mr. Carter seems to be in good spirits, but you should still consider the Carter family's reputation."

"At least on the surface, I'm still Mr. Carter's legal wife. It's best not to cross that line."

He laughed coldly. "Claire Spencer, mind your own business."

I added, "I don't mind if Mr. Carter keeps a mistress, but your mother might feel differently."

Ethan feared nothing except his mother, who was living it up abroad. And she cared most about the family's reputation.

His expression changed.

The phone rang—it was his mother, Mrs. Rachel Carter.

She gave him a thorough scolding.

After hanging up, he confronted me. "Did you tattle on me? How would my mother know what's happening here when she's overseas?"

"Your mother forces the family doctor to give me fertility shots every month, making my life miserable. I never contact her voluntarily."

His expression softened slightly. "My mother was wrong to do that to you."

Then he added curtly, "But stay out of everything else."

Thunder rumbled outside, making me shudder involuntarily.

Ever since being burned by fireworks, I'd become terrified of loud sounds.

Ethan's eyes flickered, and he was about to reach out to hold me.

A text notification chimed with Sophia's sweet voice: "Ethan, I'm scared of the dark. Come keep me company."

He grabbed his jacket and walked away.

Thunder crashed all night, keeping me awake. I was about to call in sick when a colleague called, "Claire, there's a problem with your business deal. Mr. Carter is furious."