Chapter 3 — The Wife Nobody Knew

The glass elevator doors slid open with a soft, quiet chime when I reached the top floor.

My heart pounded violently against my ribs as I stepped out onto the polished floor. The executive floor was completely silent, cold, and dimly lit. The heavy silver lights overhead cast long shadows along the dark wooden walls. My wet shoes made a soft squeaking sound against the shiny floor as I walked past the empty front desk.

I ignored the wide hallway leading to the conference room and went straight to the heavy dark doors at the end of the hall. That was Dillian’s private office. My hands were shaking so hard that I could barely control them, but I reached out and took hold of the metallic handle. Inside my coat pocket, my fingers tightly gripped the small paper envelope with the baby's ultrasound inside.

I did not knock on the door. I did not wait for permission. I simply pushed the heavy doors wide open and walked inside.

The sight before my eyes made the breath freeze in my throat.

Dillian was standing by the large glass window that looked over the entire city. Standing directly in front of him, with her long arms wrapped tightly around his neck, was Chloe. Her long brown hair fell over the back of his suit jacket. Her face was buried deep in the side of his neck, and Dillian’s hands were resting firmly on her waist, holding her close to his body.

The sight felt like a sharp knife pushing deep into my chest.

Dillian, I said softly, my voice breaking through the absolute silence of the vast room.

Dillian froze instantly. He slowly turned his head toward the door, his dark eyes narrowing into a harsh glare when he saw me standing there. Chloe turned around as well, slowly taking her arms off his neck. She looked at me with a slow, smug smile, her eyes taking in my messy hair and pale face.

Sarah? Dillian said, his deep voice dropping to an icy tone. What are you doing up here? How on earth did you get past the security team downstairs?

I took two shaky steps into the massive room. My knees felt so weak that I thought I might collapse right onto the carpet.

Dillian, today is our anniversary, I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady. I told you this morning that I needed to talk to you. I told you it was urgent.

Dillian let out a long, heavy breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. He stepped away from Chloe, brushing off his jacket sleeves as if my presence was nothing more than a bad smell in the room.

I told you this morning that I was very busy today, Sarah, he said, his tone full of annoyance. You are acting completely crazy right now. This is my private corporate office, not our house. Go home.

Our house? Chloe repeated with a quiet, sweet laugh. She stepped closer to Dillian and placed a hand on his arm, looking down at my simple, wrinkled clothes with total disgust. Dillian, darling, who is this strange girl? She looks like an absolute mess. Is she one of your low level office workers from downstairs?

Dillian did not correct her. He did not say that I was his wife. He did not tell her to respect me. He just stood there in total silence, letting her treat me like trash under her expensive shoes.

She works in the accounting department, Dillian said coolly, looking right at my face. Sarah, leave this room right now. We will talk about your wild behavior when I get home tonight.

A business deal? Chloe asked, pretending to be shocked as she looked back and forth between us. Oh my goodness... Dillian, is she talking about that fake contract marriage? The one your grandfather forced you into while I was living away in Paris?

Dillian’s jaw tightened. He stepped forward, grabbed my upper arm with a strong, tight grip, and pulled me out into the hallway, away from Chloe's ears.

That is enough, Sarah! he hissed down at me, his voice low, sharp, and full of anger. You are making a huge scene in front of my guest. You knew what this marriage was from day one. It was a simple business contract. You got financial help for your family, and I fulfilled my grandfather's demand. Do not test my patience today.

A business contract? I cried out, tears finally streaming down my face as I pulled my arm out of his tight grip. I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out the white envelope. Look at this, Dillian! Just look at this picture before you say another word to me!

I thrust the white envelope directly toward his chest.

Dillian did not even reach out his hand to take it. He glanced down at the paper envelope with cold eyes, then looked back up into my teary face with total indifference.

I do not care what is inside that envelope, Sarah, he said, his words sharp and mean. You have completely crossed the line today. You do not belong on this floor, and you clearly do not belong in this company anymore.

He turned toward his desk, reached over, and pressed the small button on the intercom system. Tom, come up to the CEO office right now with another security officer and remove Sarah Weston from the building.

My breath caught in my throat. Dillian... please... just open the envelope and look at the picture...

You are fired, Sarah, Dillian said flatly, looking at me as if I were a total stranger. Go pack your personal things from your desk downstairs and leave the building immediately. From now on, you will stay at home like a quiet wife. If you ever show up at my workplace like this again, I will stop sending money to your family completely.

A few seconds later, the elevator doors opened and two large security guards ran down the hall toward us.

Take her out, Dillian commanded the guards, turning his back on me and walking straight back inside his office to Chloe's side.

Let go of me! I screamed as the security guards grabbed my arms, dragging my weak body backward down the dark hallway. Dillian! Open the envelope! Just look at the picture!

The heavy wooden doors of his office slammed shut with a loud bang, shutting me out of his life and leaving me all alone in the dark.