Chapter 2

"You're certain you want to terminate the 'Daybreak' project and start the equity split process?"

The lawyer set down the papers, looking at me like I was crazy.

I stared through the glass door. Sophia was on the phone, a soft smile on her face. Anger and sadness twisted in my chest.

"Yep."

I looked back at him, steady.

"Does Ms. Sophia know? She seems really invested in this project. Her company's swamped, but she makes every key meeting."

Sophia built her company from nothing. By thirty, she was running an industry leader. She was in financial news all the time—even the lawyer recognized her.

Everyone admired her, and everyone knew this brilliant CEO was head over heels for her husband.

"It's my call. Please don't tell her yet."

The lawyer sighed and kept talking, but I tuned him out.

A marriage built on lies, a business partnership built on deceit—it was all going to crash. Why keep dragging it out?

That day, Sophia took the day off and got up early. She thought I was still asleep and tiptoed into the kitchen.

Between work stress and everything else, I'd been sleeping poorly. When she left the room, I opened my eyes, watching the sky lighten through the window while listening to the quiet sounds from the kitchen.

When she came back, I closed my eyes again. Sophia gently squeezed my cheek:

"Rise and shine."

I hadn't been eating well, so Sophia even signed up for cooking classes.

I barely cooked after we married. She'd leave work half an hour early just to make me dinner. Her employees always joked she was whipped.

"Still got it, right? Made all your favorites."

Sophia was wearing an apron, looking proud. Before I could answer, her phone rang on the table.

She grabbed it fast, but I still saw "Vincent" on the caller ID.

Sophia answered, all business: "Got it, I'll be right there." She hung up and turned to me, apologetic:

"Work emergency. Sorry I can't stay for breakfast. Take it easy after eating, and rest if you need to. I'll probably miss lunch, but I'll order you something. Call me if you need anything. I'll pick you up tonight for the reunion."

I'd almost forgotten about the high school reunion tonight.

Before leaving, Sophia came over, smoothed the crease between my brows, and kissed my forehead:

"Don't look so down."

See? She was a pro. Could lie straight to my face before running off to her other guy.

The door clicked shut, and the breakfast in my mouth turned to ash. I got up and scraped it all into the trash.

Spoiled things belong in the garbage.

Trying to stomach them only makes you sick. People are no different.

That evening, Sophia came to pick me up.

She didn't open the passenger door like usual. Instead, she told me to get in the back.

When I saw Vincent in the front seat, I hesitated.

Sophia cleared her throat, nervous: "Vincent's going to the reunion too. Thought we'd carpool since we're going the same way."

"He gets carsick... does better up front."

Vincent smiled, all innocence: "Liam, mind if I ride up front? You haven't been feeling great, and the back's roomier."

His watch glinted—the exact same model as mine.

I nodded, got in, and quietly took off my watch.

She leaned back to buckle my seatbelt. From this angle, I could see a faint mark under her collar.

It hadn't been there this morning.

The whole ride, listening to them laugh and chat, my head started pounding.