Chapter 1: Perfect Lie

(Anna’s POV)

The camera clicked loudly as bright lights flashed in our faces.

“Mrs. Anderson, over here!” someone called as more photos were taken.

I posed and smiled while Richard held me gracefully.

It was the opening of the Meridian Pearl Grand Hotel, a new branch of Anderson Holdings. 

All the important people in the city were there.

The man everyone was watching was my husband, Richard Anderson, the CEO of Anderson Holdings. 

His face had been on the cover of three business magazines as the youngest, hottest and most successful CEO and as you guessed the richest man in the country.

I kept smiling for the cameras and tried not to think about how badly my feet were hurting in this ridiculously high stilletos.

As soon as we walked into the main hall Richard changed completely.

The man who sat quietly beside me in the Bentley for twenty minutes totally ignoring my existence was now replaced with a sweet charming man.

He laughed easily and spoke kindly to everyone, calling them by their names as if he had rehearsed for this moment.

It was an amazing performance.

I had watched it for five years, and it still surprised me how natural it looked.

As usual I smiled beside him, accepted compliments from total strangers and laughed at very dry jokes.

Then eventually excuse myself when business conversations came up as I was not expected to be involved.

I complimented the wives of high end business partners and senators as we indulged in vain conversations of the elites.

“Your wife looks wonderful, Richard,” an older man said. 

It was the Mayor.

"I'm a lucky man Mr Dolf." Richard said and they shook hands and laughed as they talked about business and politics.

I moved around the room, talking to people, when I heard some women whispering nearby.

“Just look at him. So successful at such a young age. Do you know how much his company made last quarter?”

“Don’t even start. It’s unbelievable. That man is insanely rich.”

“And her… wow. Look at that necklace. Is that the Anderson Diamond?”

“It must be. She’s wearing it like it’s nothing, like it doesn’t cost millions of dollars.”

“Some women are so lucky. She wakes up every morning in that Riverside penthouse, rides in luxury cars, and has a husband who looks like that. Tell me that’s fair.”

“It’s not fair at all. I would do anything to have her life. I swear.”

I was used to hearing things like this.

People never stopped saying it.

You’re so lucky, Anna. You have everything Anna, life is so good for you...yackidy yack!

I sipped my champagne and rolled my eyes quietly.

If only they knew.

By nine o’clock, my face was already aching from smiling so much.

Richard had barely spoken to me all night.

He suddenly appeared beside me and leaned close to my ear. 

To everyone else, it looked intimate.

“I’m going to the office after this,” he said.

“Tonight?” I turned to him. “Richard, it’s already late.”

“I have contracts to review before morning,” he said. His tone showed he didn’t want to discuss it. 

“Robert will take you home. Don’t wait for me.”

Don’t wait. As if I still did.

“The Hendersons are leaving early. Make sure you say goodbye to Clara. She’ll be upset if you don’t.”

“Of course.” 

“And compliment her bracelet. She just had it appraised a month ago and wants people to notice it.”

I nodded and he left.

After a while I got tired and decided it was time to leave too.

I approached Clara just like Richard had asked.

"What a beautiful bracelet you have there Clara." I smiled.

"Oh this little thing, I didn't even know you'll notice." She grinned.

"It must have cost you a lot." I continued, knowing fully well she wanted me to ask about the price.

"Not really, just couple of millions. It was from the Queen's summer collection." She explained proudly.

I feigned shock as we both giggled before finally bidding her farewell and finally left at ten.

The drive home felt longer than usual. I watched the city lights pass by the window and let the numb feeling settle over me.

This was the part of the night I knew well...the moment when the performance ended and my lonely reality hit me.

When Robert drove through the large gates of our estate, I thanked him softly and walked into the house.

Margaret had left the kitchen light on, she always did.

I went upstairs to our room, if I could still call it that.

Richard had not slept in there for like... it's been so long I couldn't even remember.

I sat on the edge of the bed and reached into my purse for my phone.

My hand touched nothing.

I looked down.

My purse was gone. My phone and spare keys were inside it.

I suddenly remembered giving it to Richard when I went to talk to the Hendersons. I forgot to take it back.

I went downstairs and found Robert in the garage.

“Robert, I’m sorry,” I said. “I left my purse with Richard. Can you take me to his office? My phone is in the purse.”

“Of course, Mrs. Anderson,” he said immediately.

The drive to the downtown office took about eleven minutes.

Anderson Holdings used six floors of the Mercer Building, a modern glass and steel tower.

I had only been there about four times in five years of my marriage.

“Mrs. Anderson,” the security guard, Tom, said, surprised. “We weren’t expecting you tonight.”

“I know, I’m sorry. I left my purse with my husband. I just need to go up and get it.”

“Of course. Should I call Mr. Anderson to tell him you’re coming?”

“Oh no, don’t bother him,” I said with a smile as I walked toward the elevator. “I’ll be quick. I know where his office is.”

“Alright, ma’am. Have a good evening.”

I went up to the thirty-second floor.

The hallway was quiet and carpeted.

Richard’s office was at the end. His name shone on a gold plate:

RICHARD ANDERSON, CEO

I was about ten feet away when I heard a sound.

Soft and breathless. It was the unmistakable moans of a woman.

“Richard…yeah...right there…you're almost there...don’t stop…”

I froze.

Then I heard Richard’s voice.

“You feel amazing, Jessica… you always do...you’re so sweet… I can’t get enough of you…”

Jessica. His personal assistant?

My hands trembled as I opened the door.

The sight in front of made my blood turn cold.

Richard Anderson...my husband was standing behind his desk, pants down and moving fast against his assistant.

His shirt was untucked. His hands held the edge of his desk with Jessica bent over the desk, her back arched.

His hands were around her neck, slightly choking her as she moaned loudly to his deep thrusts.

My cream Chanel purse sat on the desk, just inches away from her hand.

They were so lost in what they were doing that they didn’t hear me walk in.

"Richard!" I croaked, my eyes wide with disbelief.

Jessica’s eyes widened in shock as soon as she saw me.

She quickly stood up, trying to cover herself.

Richard turned and for one terrible moment, our eyes were locked in an intense glare.

I waited to see shock or guilt in his eyes but there was nothing. 

He simply rolled his eyes, pulled up his pants, fixed his tie like nothing happened.

Like I just hadn't walked in on him pants down, fucking his assistant.

“Anna,” he called flatly.

“What are you doing here?”