Chapter 3

Elliot's POV

Ignoring everyone's laughter, I tightened my grip on the appointment slip and ran out of the courthouse.

Fortunately, the house Eva and I had bought was nearby. I reached there in three minutes.

But the moment I stepped inside, a burst of confetti exploded in my face.

"Congratulations—"

The coworkers who had been hiding in wait suddenly froze.

"This is Ms. Sinclair and Zach's new house. Why are you here?"

I looked at the person who'd spoken. It was my childhood friend, Frankie Smalls. I asked in return, "Why am I here? You really don't know?"

Frankie's eyes darted away. Under the confused gazes of everyone else, he forced himself to answer.

"How would I know? I'm guessing you're trying to sneak in before Zach gets here so he'd suspect Ms. Sinclair. Then you can wreck their marriage and steal her for yourself."

Even though I'd expected it, the words still stung.

Three years ago, Frankie had been laid off. Despite his lack of experience, I'd spent a month begging Eva to give him a position at the company.

He was also the only other person who knew about Eva and my secret relationship.

Yet, within a week of joining the company, he'd noticed how distant Eva was with me and immediately joined the others in pushing me aside. He even became one of the loudest voices teasing Eva and Zach for being the perfect couple.

Ignoring their smug expressions, I headed straight toward the master bedroom.

"Don't mind me. I'm just here to get my ID."

The others followed anyway. When I tripped slightly over a pair of slippers by the door, one of them chortled.

"Even the shoes don't fit you, and you're still pretending. Why would your ID be in Ms. Sinclair's house?"

I said nothing. I felt a lump in my throat that I couldn't swallow down or spit out.

Eva's obsession with keeping up appearances even extended into our home. The door handles had been installed for Zach's left-handed habits. The house slippers were his size. The kitchen cabinets had been customized for his smaller frame.

To search for my ID, I had to crouch awkwardly before the low cabinets until my back ached.

But regardless of how much Eva had changed the house, I had still lived here for two years. The moment I found my ID, my coworkers' laughter stopped.

Everyone stared in shock. No one even noticed when Eva and Zach entered the house. Their eyes moved back and forth between us.

Someone whispered, "Why would Elliot's ID be in Ms. Sinclair's house? Are they actually together?"

"Then, what does that make Zach? Don't tell me he's the other man?"

As Zach's face grew paler and paler, Eva finally spoke. She barked at me furiously, "Elliot, I don't know how you got into my house or how you planted that there, but you're trespassing! This property belongs to me. If you don't leave right now, I'll call the police."

I stared at the woman I had loved for seven years. For the first time, she felt like a complete stranger.

She was threatening me.

Because of her need to keep up appearances, nobody knew I was her fiancé. Because of her need to keep up appearances, the house was registered solely in her name. If she called the police, I would have no leg to stand on.

Everyone's eyes settled on me.

Humiliated, I lowered my head and checked my phone. That person had arrived.

I took a deep breath and said, "Fine. I'll leave!"

I forcefully yanked the wedding ring from my finger. Under Eva's gaze, I tossed it into the trash can. Then, I turned and walked away.

But just as I was about to step through the front door, someone tripped me. My body fell forward uncontrollably, my forehead slamming into the doorframe.

A protruding nail ripped through my skin, leaving a long gash. Bright red blood poured out immediately.

Eva's pupils contracted. For a split second, she rushed toward me.

But then, Zach suddenly cried out and collapsed. Without hesitation, she changed direction, reaching out toward Zach to catch him securely in her arms.

My coworkers crowded around Zach at once, showering him with concern.

Even Frankie shot me a furious glare. "Elliot, have you lost your mind? You actually tripped Zach just to get Ms. Sinclair's attention?"

Looking at Zach's pale face, Eva's expression darkened completely. She pulled out her phone.

Before I lost consciousness, the last thing I heard was her cold voice.

"I'd like to report a crime. Someone trespassed in my home and assaulted my partner. I have more than a dozen witnesses."