Chapter 3

When I got home, my wife Evelyn Evans was sitting on the couch, heavily pregnant. I immediately ran over and pulled her tightly into my arms, tears filling my eyes.

She froze for a moment before gently hugging me back. "Honey, what happened? Is work going that badly? Why not tell me about it?"

Evelyn's voice grew even softer.

Hearing her voice again, I broke down.

It took a long time before I managed to say as I sobbed, "It's nothing. I just wanted to tell you that I would never betray you. If anything happens to me, don't worry about me. Protect yourself and the baby."

Evelyn looked baffled and stuck a finger against my forehead. "Don't say things like that. You're going to be fine."

I could feel the warmth in my heart as I pulled her into my arms again.

She suddenly gasped and guided my hand to her belly. "Honey, quick. Feel this. The baby kicked."

My eyes widened. As I felt that small life moving under my hand, my heart warmed even more all at once. At that moment, I became even more certain that I would protect my wife and child no matter what happened.

I would also make Chloe pay the price she owed me!

At work on Monday, my student Zoe greeted me as soon as I walked onto campus.

She sighed, her face full of sympathy. "Professor, you really have the worst luck. There are so many people in the group chat, why did Chloe target you? I don't think she just wants you as her personal blood bank. She saw that you're good-looking and treat your wife well, so now she wants to be your lover too."

Jake nodded beside her. "Good thing she didn't set her sights on me. I'm so bad with words I wouldn't even know how to defend myself."

Thinking about my previous life, I trembled and quickly said, "There's nothing left to say. It's over. My wife and I grew up together and all I want is to be with her since we were little. I would never betray her."

To make my position clear, I stated my intention outright. "When I got married, I even signed a prenup. If I cheat, I'll leave with nothing. How can I possibly fall for another woman?"

"Wow… Are you really that devoted?" The two of them were stunned and moved.

I nodded. "Yes. My wife has been with me for so many years. Things haven't been easy for her, so I have to make her feel safe. No woman would want to be my lover anyway since there's nothing for her to take."

I wanted everyone to understand exactly where I stood. I would never cheat!

I also hoped that after Chloe learned about it, she would understand that using a child to hold on to me would be useless. I would never raise another man's child!

But the moment I entered the office, I saw that my file cabinet had been ransacked. My things were scattered everywhere. Even the box for the anniversary gift I had prepared for my wife had been opened, and the gift was gone.

Fury burned inside me as I ran forward and my eyes scanned over everyone. I yelled, "Who did this?!"

No one answered and my expression darkened. "This is theft. If no one comes forward, I'm calling the police."

Before I could finish, Chloe pushed the door open and walked in with a grin. "I did it. I was just in a car accident, so I'm not doing so well physically and need to heal up. I didn't have enough money, so I came here to get some from you. I already sold that necklace. It was barely enough to buy the supplements.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Helping me recover is something you should be doing anyway. That wasn't enough money, so I started getting some ready. I need at least ten thousand from you."

The professors in the office looked back and forth between us, all wearing the same expression, like they were watching some drama unfold.

I did not hold back as I pointed at her and cursed, "Chloe, are you insane? What does your health have to do with me? Give the necklace back to me right now."

She frowned and tears rolled down her cheeks. "You don't want to take responsibility for me? This is what you should be doing in the first place!"

I was so angry I could not speak.

So, I stepped forward, grabbed her wrist, and called campus security. "Someone here stole from me. Take her to the police station."

Chloe kept struggling, her eyes red as she looked at me. "Professor, are you abandoning me?"

"I have nothing to do with you, and you're not up to my standard anyway!" I trembled with rage as I growled at her. "If you keep twisting things like this, I'll sue you for defamation!"