Chapter 3

I sat dazed on the window seat,

watching the snow outside fade and then weave itself into a thin blanket.

Sebastian sent me a message.

【Honey, the roads are blocked. I'll probably need to stay at the office for the next couple days】

Lily's Ins had updated again.

【Heavy snow is heaven's gift of love to us】

The photo showed her bare shoulder.

Though covered with foundation, the red marks were clearly visible.

Around her neck was a shiny ruby necklace.

I remembered that necklace.

This morning my best friend had messaged me.

She said she'd unexpectedly attended a unique item auction with Sebastian.

At the auction, Sebastian had won a ruby necklace.

It should have been a New Year's gift for me.

She also said she really liked that necklace and had planned to bid on it herself.

But when she saw Sebastian bidding too, she figured it was for me.

I expressionlessly forwarded Lily's Ins photo to her.

A phone call came immediately.

I had no choice but to answer.

"Holy shit, Sebastian's that bold!"

"It's not for me."

I calmly gazed at the white landscape.

"He's having an affair."

Emma hung up.

Then she sent me a lawyer's contact card.

【This was my divorce lawyer】

The lawyer I found turned out to be the same one Emma used for her divorce.

At the time, he handed me his business card, but I didn't take it.

He said he didn't just handle divorces, but also workplace disputes.

【If it wasn't for him, that scumbag would have gotten custody of my son】

Staring at Emma's message, my heart, which had been calm all night, began racing violently again.

I replied, 【I don't want custody】

I sent her a recording.

She angrily asked,

【That bitch is there? I'm going to tear her apart!】

【Luxe Haven Apartments】

【Wait for me!】

I got Lily's address from Emma.

This was a place Sebastian and I had looked at six months ago.

I really liked it.

But when I inquired again later, the unit had already been sold.

I never imagined

that Sebastian had lied about not having enough money when he'd actually bought it for his mistress.

Emma and I knocked on the door.

The moment it opened, we both froze.

"Attorney Morgan, this is your place?"

Attorney Morgan nodded, his gaze landing on me.

We staked out the stairwell waiting for Sebastian and Lily's mother and son to leave.

I called the property management.

"What's going on upstairs? The water killed the flowers on my balcony."

Property management came to check the situation and took us to the door.

He knocked, asking tentatively,

"Are you home?"

He called out so naturally that Attorney Morgan asked,

"You know this family?"

The property manager smiled sheepishly.

"I do. They bought the place six months ago. It's a family of three."

"Mr. Sebastian is the best husband I've ever seen—when he travels for work, he often asks me to look after his wife and son."

Emma's tone was contemptuous.

"Really?"

The property manager didn't catch her meaning and continued on his own.

"Don't worry, I'll call Mr. Sebastian. They probably just went out."

In the gap while he made the call, someone from the next unit came out.

"Looking for Mr. Sebastian?"

The friendly lady, seeing us gathered at the door, helpfully explained.

"He took his wife and kid out."

"Mr. Sebastian travels a lot for work. It's rare for them to go out together, so they probably won't be back until evening."

Just then, Sebastian's call connected.

The property manager briefly explained the situation.

He needed to enter the unit to investigate the water leak.

Seeking Sebastian's permission.

On the other end, a child's voice sounded disappointed.

"Daddy, you promised we'd go to the amusement park today..."

Then came Lily's soothing voice.

Sebastian indulgently coaxed the child, then said into the phone,

"I can't make it back. I'll have to trouble you then."