Chapter 3

3

When I returned home after work, Trevor was already sprawled across the living room sofa.

My mother-in-law tossed a dirty apron directly into my face.

"Hurry up and make dinner! Coming home this late, do you expect the whole family to starve waiting for you?"

"When I was walking home from the subway, Trevor's car drove right past me," I replied evenly.

"What? Are you trying to blame my son now?" she snapped.

Trevor chimed in with deep annoyance.

"You have no idea how humiliating it is having a nursing wife working at my company. The guys on my floor are already laughing, asking what kind of loser husband makes his wife work during maternity. If they find out you're with me, I'm finished!"

His mother pointed a finger at me.

"Quit that stupid job immediately! Don't you dare ruin my son's promotion!"

Just as I opened my mouth, my phone rang with an unexpected call from Human Resources.

"What? Skip the probation period and transfer directly to the executive assistant role?" I asked in disbelief.

The HR manager explained that senior leadership had recognized my exceptional efficiency, promoting me straight to executive assistant.

A cold dread pooled in my stomach.

"Which executive will I be assisting?"

"Director Harrison. Are you willing to accept the offer?"

Hearing his name instantly brought back the scorching memory of the breakroom.

I hesitated, wondering if this was truly about my work performance.

Trevor snatched the phone from my hand before I could answer.

"Yes, absolutely! My wife is thrilled to accept!"

His mother grumbled from the couch.

"Why didn't my son get promoted instead? What makes her worthy?"

Trevor smoothed it over quickly.

"Mom, she graduated top of her class from a top-tier university. It makes sense the leadership noticed her talent."

I bit my lower lip.

"Trevor, I want to resign."

If being near Harrison meant facing more situations like today…

Trevor immediately softened his tone, putting an arm around my shoulder.

"Going to work helps you heal from losing our daughter, remember? Besides, if we want to try for another baby through fertility treatments later, we need the money. You're doing this for our little family."

"If you impress the director, it will open doors for my own career path too."

Torn by his gentle words, I nodded.

That night, my husband, who had neglected me for months, pulled me into his arms in bed.

"Babe, you're not still mad about today, are you? I'm holding you now. The craving isn't bothering you, right?"

In the past, I would have melted into his embrace with pathetic gratitude.

Now, a wave of disgust washed over me.

Images of Harrison's powerful arms and the desperate sobs in that locked room flashed in my mind.

"I'm fine today. Let's just go to sleep."

Trevor let out a sigh of relief.

"See? I told you your touch starvation is purely psychological. If you just hold it in, you don't need any therapy or medication."