Chapter 2After my divorce, my ex-husband had nothing.

During my senior year internship, I made a decisive move.

To catch an extra glimpse of my handsome husband every day, I went straight to Alexander’s company. As a low-level intern, I kept such a low profile that Alex himself didn't even know I was there.

I was afraid of being a bother, of distracting him.

Occasionally, I’d overhear other interns discussing Alex. I’d listen closely, never speaking up.

“Mr. Alexander is so dreamy! Thirty-five is the prime age for a man.”

“Too bad he’s married. His wife is apparently just some obscure young girl.”

“Ugh, why couldn’t I be that lucky…”

When I was 18, Alexander, wanting to make his intentions clear, declared on the very first day of chasing me that he was in it for the long haul, aiming for marriage.

He even gave me a wedding ring right then and there.

I responded with an overwhelming passion. We dated for a year before getting married.

It was impulsive, intoxicating.

Sweet and blissful.

He gave me a dream romance beyond my wildest imagination. His love, the kind you read about in romance novels, was intense, direct, and consumed me whole. It left me breathless, my head spinning, unable to find my bearings.

If I hadn't come to intern at his company, I might never have discovered his secrets.

Serena.

Alexander’s secretary. Sexy, beautiful, the quintessential mature woman.

She was always with Alex on business trips and at client events. She handled all the company’s big and small affairs, understanding the business even better than Alex himself.

So, before anyone knew Alex was married, everyone in the company assumed Serena was the real boss lady.

In the cafeteria, I’d even hear old employees who’d worked alongside Serena grumble.

“Mr. Alexander must be blind not to appreciate a beauty like Serena right under his nose.”

“And Serena even gave up a high-level executive position at a public company to be his secretary.”

“Mark my words, once the initial spark dies down, Alex will ditch his wife and finally be with Serena.”

There were so many rumors.

I never paid them any mind. After all, the passion between Alex and me was a nightly routine.

Until one evening, at a corporate event, Serena got drunk and declared her feelings for Alex in front of everyone.

It was less a confession and more of an ultimatum, forcing Alex to choose.

Serena asked if he had feelings for her. Alex remained silent for a long moment.

Serena pressed, “If you don’t have feelings for me, then why won’t you approve my resignation letter?!”

Alex’s face was grim. He finally uttered one word: “I do.”

Then, he gazed at Serena with what looked like deep affection. “I do have feelings for you. I can’t do without you, so I can’t approve your resignation. Can you understand that?”

Serena smiled, downed a shot glass of strong liquor, grabbed her bag, and walked out.

The air solidified for two seconds.

Then Alex chased after her.

Everyone at that gathering was a long-time colleague who had built the company with Alex and Serena. I hadn’t attended.

But Maya, a bubbly friend who loved gossip, filmed the whole scene and sent it to me privately.

Maya asked me: [Do you think something will happen between Mr. Alexander and Serena tonight?]

I replied: [Probably not… right?]

[They’re adults, Chloe. They’ve known each other for ages, clearly have deep feelings, and they’ve been drinking and confessing? You really think nothing’s going to happen?]

I typed back firmly: [Alex is married, he knows better, and Serena is too classy to be a 'side chick'!]

[You make a good point. But we’ll know for sure tomorrow what went down.]

I didn’t understand what Maya meant by “we’ll know for sure tomorrow.”

But the moment I exited our chat, I knew the answer.

Alex’s message popped up. He said he wouldn’t be home tonight; he had an unexpected client event. My heart skipped a beat.

I immediately called him.

At first, there was no answer. I called several times.

Finally, Alex picked up. “Baby, my phone was on silent, didn’t hear it. What’s wrong?”

I bit back my emotions, my fingernails digging into my skin.

“Honey, you’re really not coming home tonight?”

“Nope, a get-together. Everyone’s here, can’t leave. Baby, please understand.”

I clenched my jaw and continued, “Are there any women at your get-together?”

He paused, then chuckled. “No, why? Since when do you check up on me? Want to video call? I can prove I’m innocent.”

As he spoke, I heard it – a soft rustle, the unmistakable sound of fine fabric against hotel sheets.

In the past, when our love was wild and passionate, I’d often heard that sound.

“Mmph…”

A low, guttural groan escaped Alex’s lips. And in that instant, the knot of doubt in my chest unraveled.

Three years with Alex, countless nights of intimacy – I knew exactly what that sound meant. It was the raw, uninhibited release of someone giving themselves over to pure, unadulterated pleasure.

It was a detail he probably didn’t even notice himself.

Well, good. I didn’t even need to stop him from cheating.

He already had.

I forced a bitter laugh. “No need for a video call… I might go blind.”

“You have fun. I’m going to sleep.”

My heart was dead. I was about to hang up.

Then Alex spoke again from the other end. His voice was hoarse and low. “Baby, we closed a huge deal tonight. Everyone needs to work extra hard starting tomorrow. I’ll probably be working late, so don’t wait up for dinner anymore.”

Was it working extra hours? Or spending extra hours with Serena?

To me, it no longer mattered.

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