Chapter 2

I pulled up the apartment's security footage. The screen showed the primary bedroom and walk-in closet.

I rewound the footage to the first month after I'd reported Alex missing.

Early that month, Alex walked in with his arm around Chloe. Two hours later, he left with an armful of clothes.

Mid-month, he carried Chloe home and stayed until dawn.

Before leaving, he helped himself to several limited-edition handbags from my closet.

Just two nights ago, the two of them had snuck into the apartment together.

Alex took several luxury watches from the safe while Chloe excitedly put one of my necklaces around his neck.

"Darling, when exactly are you going to divorce her and marry me?"

Alex kissed her cheek, his tone soothing. "No divorce, baby. How could we afford all this if I divorced her? That woman is smart. As long as I stay married to her, I can keep spending her money. Once this stunt has completely tamed her, her company will be ours."

The two of them collapsed onto my custom-made leather sofa, kissing each other.

And while all this was happening, I'd been searching the fjords for him.

Tears rolled down my cheeks—not for Alex, but for myself and all I'd given him, only to get nothing but betrayal in return.

While I'd been losing sleep worrying about his safety, he'd been spending his nights with Chloe in my home, maybe even in our bed.

I gripped my dress tightly and forced myself to calm down.

Just then, my phone rang in the living room.

I was in no mood to answer, but it kept ringing until I finally gave in.

I walked over and picked it up, only to freeze when I saw the caller ID.

It was Alex's uncle, Richard Stirling, the man who really held the power in the family.

"Richard, is there something I can do for you?"

"Alex isn't dead."

A video arrived seconds later. My breath caught when I opened it.

Alex was at a yacht party with Chloe in his arms, kissing her hungrily as one hand roamed over her waist and ass.

"I know."

I tried to stay calm, but my voice still trembled.

Richard was silent for several seconds before letting out a mocking snort.

"If you know he isn't dead, why did you bombard everyone with invitations to this grand memorial service?"

"Because everyone told me he was dead. I chose to believe them, so I'm arranging a proper funeral."

Richard clearly didn't care what happened to his foolish nephew.

Still, there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice when he asked, "Are you sure you want to become a widow?"

"Of course, I'll have it arranged as soon as possible."

Richard and Alex were estranged, and I had barely spoken to Richard before.

Yet he was the first person to tell me the truth about Alex.

So I decided to accept his gesture of goodwill.

"Will you attend next week's memorial as the head of the family?"

"Sure. I'm looking forward to it."

Richard readily agreed, then sent me another video.

In the video, someone beside Alex held up a phone. The moment Alex saw it, he kicked over the table in a rage.

Chloe quickly leaned against his chest, trying to calm him down.

They exchanged a few words, but the yacht was too loud for me to hear.

Almost immediately, Alex calmed down and even buried his face in her chest.

My memorial invitation had sent him into a rage.

But all it took was a few words from Chloe to calm him down.

Whenever Alex and I fought, we would go days without speaking.

I was always the one who had to give in before he'd forgive me.

I swallowed the ache in my throat and saved both videos.

Before I could even put down my phone, Chloe called me.