Chapter 3

The front door clicked open at precisely 7:00 PM.

I sat in the dim light of the living room, a book open in my lap that I hadn't read a single word of.

I had moved from his study minutes ago, scrubbing the touch of his desk from my fingertips, but the images of Maya in my silk robe were seared into my retinas, so lively that the sight of our bedroom disgusted me.

"Elena? Sweetheart, why are you sitting in the dark?"

Ethan’s voice was like velvet, smooth and comforting. He walked toward me, shedding his charcoal suit jacket with a weary elegance. He looked every bit the hardworking, devoted husband. But as he leaned down to kiss my forehead, the air around him shifted.

Before, I would have breathed him in, finding safety in his scent. Now, my skin crawled. Beneath the familiar aroma of his expensive cologne and the faint smell of the office, there was something else. A floral, cloying sweetness.

Maya’s perfume!

"You look pale," he said, his thumb tracing my cheekbone with a tenderness that made me want to scream. "Are you feeling okay? Did you eat today?"

"I'm just tired, Ethan," I managed to say, my voice sounding hollow even to my own ears.

"Is it about the test result?" he murmured, pulling me into a hug. "Don't worry if it's negative. We will try again."

He assumed I was sad because I couldn't conceive this time as well and comforted me like he always did. He never pressurized me.

My face was pressed against his chest, right where his heart beat—steady and calm. How could a man whose heart beat so normally be such a monster?

As he held me, my eyes locked onto his shirt collar. There, tucked almost invisibly into the seam, was a single strand of long, platinum-blonde hair.

It wasn't mine. My hair was dark, a contrast he used to claim he loved. I stared at that hair, a tiny, silver thread that tied him to his lies.

"I missed you today," he whispered into my hair. "The meetings were endless. All I wanted was to come home to my beautiful wife."

I barely controlled myself from slapping this man who lied so fluently. His chat messages were still fresh in my mind.

"The gala photos came out today," I said suddenly, testing the edge of the blade. "The one from last month. You said you were in meetings all night, but the firm posted a few candids of the board members on the balcony."

I felt his heart skip—just one beat—but his physical composure was terrifyingly perfect. He didn't pull away. He just squeezed me a little tighter.

"Did they? I must have stepped out for some air between the sessions," he said smoothly.

"You know how stifling those rooms get. I probably didn't even notice the photographers."

He pulled back, smiling that passionate smile—the one I now knew was a feign show-off.

"Maya was also present there, almost hugging you." I said, my eyes still fixed on his.

His smile faltered for a moment before he regained his composure and said, "She is my secretary. I attend all my important meetings with her. You can't trust camera angles, sweetheart. She must be whispering something to me that she couldn't speak loud."

Pulling me back into his arms, he tried to tease me, "What? Is my wife jealous?"

"Should I?" I asked while raising my eyebrows. "You are always surrounded by her. Should I be worried?"

His expression turned solemn and he looked deeply into my eyes, saying firmly, "Definitely not! No one can take the position of Mrs. Morgan except you. Is it enough to make you feel good?"

He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box.

"This is my family heirloom. I choose this day to give you because in my heart no one can replace you, Elena. You were, you are and only you will be Mrs. Morgan and give the heir to our family."

I opened it. Inside sat a diamond bracelet that was passed in Morgan family since generations, cold and glittering. A week ago, I would have been moved to tears by his thoughtfulness. Today, I saw it for what it was: hush money. A bribe to keep the ignorant wife quiet and blinded by sparkle.

"It's beautiful," I said, my voice sharp and cold as the diamonds.

"Only the best for you, Elena," he said, heading toward the stairs. "I’m going to hop in the shower. Why don't you pour us some wine? We should celebrate... us."

"Ethan..." I called him from behind, intending to test him one last time.

"Yes..." He replied.

"The next weekend, I'll be ovulating. It's also my birthday. Let's go to the place we visit at our honeymoon and try again?" I asked,

I deliberately chose this date and location to be together because I had read his plan of taking Maya to some other location and have fun.

The color from his face faded. He seemed somewhat awkward, the earlier excitement from his face fading. But soon, he smiled as he replied, "Okay, let's do whatever you wish."

I watched him walk away. As soon as he disappeared, I opened the ghost app in my phone showing his chats with Maya live on my phone's screen.

As soon as he disappeared from my sight, he quickly texted Maya.

Ethan: Plan changed! I can't take you Italy the next weekend. I have plans with Elena in Paris.

Maya: You gotta be kidding me! Are you really going to cancel our fun to be with that boring ass?

Ethan: No way! I'll book another room in a nearby hotel. I'll make some excuse to her and come to you at night. We will have fun, darling.

Maya: Oh Daddy! I almost thought I wasted a lot of money buying new panties and toys for you.

Ethan: I'm feeling turned on already! Don't forget to take your red panties. That's my favourite.

I shut the app immediately. I could not go through all those absurd chats.

I gave him one last chance to choose who was more important to him. And, he just proved who.

Now, I was done. Completely. He did not worth my tears, my child or my love. He was worth nothing.