Chapter 2

The effect was immediate! My monthly allowance should've already been transferred to my account, right?

I passed the mic to the friend singing beside me. There was no time to check the messages Elise had sent me. I quickly unlocked my phone and went straight to my digital bank account. To my dismay, it was still empty.

A jolt of pain shot through me. Were women going through heartaches so hard to appease?

I backed out of the page and finally checked Elise's messages.

"Where are you?

"Answer me this instant. Why did you share such a depressing song with me? Do you think I'm too happy?"

I quickly scrolled up and realized that I'd indeed shared a sad song. In fact, it was basically the epitome of sad songs for heartbreak.

My face burned with embarrassment, and I slapped my forehead.

Damn it! I'd screwed up big time. I'd definitely tapped on the wrong song when sharing the link earlier. If not for that, I'd probably already have five million dollars in my account.

"Elliot, it's your song." My friend's voice rang out.

I took back the mic and was about to start singing when he added, "I've recently heard people say that your wife's been showing up at Quill Group. You should watch out. Honestly, Damian Quill is a jerk. Someone needs to teach him a lesson and stand up for you."

Damian Quill was Elise's childhood sweetheart. Rumor had it that if he hadn't gone abroad so young in life, the two of them might've ended up together. But in a twist of fate, Elise had married me instead.

Ever since we tied the knot, she'd been lukewarm at best. Still, seeing as I usually received my monthly allowance on time, I turned a blind eye to many things. And just like that, life went on.

"You're right. Damian is begging to get put in his place. What do you say, Elliot?" another friend said.

I returned to my senses and quickly said, "Now, now, let's not be rash. Don't mess with my wife's childhood sweetheart. What if she gets mad at me?"

As soon as I said that, my friends stared at me like I'd sprouted a second head.

Someone remarked, "Elliot, you're a model husband."

Everyone gave me a thumbs-up, but I saw the disdain in their eyes.

I couldn't be bothered to explain myself. They wouldn't get it, anyway.

Just then, the song I'd picked came up, and I started crooning. "Later, I finally learned to love, but you were already gone…"

I was just gearing up for the climax when a loud bang stole everyone's attention. The private room's door had flown open.

I looked toward the doorway to see a face so gorgeous that it seemed to suck the air out of the room.

The woman wore a black coat over straight-cut dress slacks that showed off her long legs. They were paired with a fitted white V-neck shirt that elongated her slender neck.

Her high ponytail and those exquisite features carried a cool edge, making her look spirited and dashing.

Everyone froze for a few seconds as the woman, Elise, strode straight up to me, looking me in the eyes the whole time. Then, her gaze flicked to the lyrics on the screen. "Who did you finally learn to love?"