Chapter 2

2、

I thought Silas would take back the villa after my warning.

But the next morning, I saw a luxury realtor at the front desk.

He didn't have an appointment, so the receptionist stopped him.

"Summer," the girl said, "he's here for Silas. Something about signing for a mansion?"

I grabbed the contract from the realtor's hand.

The closing price was two hundred million dollars.

The time of the transaction? Five o'clock yesterday afternoon.

My head started spinning. I checked the company's investment account.

There was only one hundred million left.

The money I had spent three months chasing had been handed to Melody in a heartbeat.

I marched straight to the CEO's office and threw the doors open.

The sight made my stomach turn.

The floor was littered with clothes.

Silas was slumped in his chair, looking disheveled, and Melody was kneeling between his legs.

I lost all logic. I lunged forward and yanked them apart.

"Silas, you better have a damn good explanation!"

Silas jumped, fumbling with his belt.

"Summer! It's not what it looks like! I chafed my leg riding yesterday, and she was just… applying ointment!"

I scoffed. "Do I look like an idiot? Tell her to wipe her mouth before you lie to me!"

Melody turned bright red, grabbing her shirt to cover herself.

"I'm sorry! I shouldn't be here! I'm leaving!"

She ran out with her clothes half-off. By noon, the whole office would know Silas was a cheater.

During an IPO, a scandal like this is lethal.

"Put your clothes on!" I yelled after her.

She turned around, trembling.

A glint of gold around her neck caught my eye.

It was a luxury ring. I had spent six months of my salary to buy it for Silas during our first year together.

Seeing it on her felt like a death sentence for our relationship.

"You gave her the villa," I whispered, "but why the ring? Why that ring?"

"It's just a trinket, Summer," Silas said dismissively. "She liked it, so I let her wear it."

"If it bothers you that much, I'll tell her to give it back."

Years ago, he promised he'd wear it until the day he died.

I had laughed at his sentimentality back then.

Now, he tossed it away like trash.

I lunged forward and ripped the chain off Melody's neck.

She screamed as the metal bit into her skin.

"Oh my god, it hurts! Silas, is my neck broken?" she wailed.

Silas shoved me away to pull her into his arms.

"Summer! You're both women, why are you being so cruel?"

I wasn't prepared for the force. I slammed into the sharp edge of the mahogany desk.

A white-hot pain bloomed in my lower back.

Tears blurred my vision. "If you want to break up, just do it. But don't make it this disgusting!"

Silas looked momentarily panicked, reaching out to help me.

But Melody collapsed against his chest.

"It hurts so much! I'll never be able to wear a low-cut dress for you again!" she sobbed.

Silas's eyes filled with worry for her. "I'm taking you to the ER. You'll be fine, baby."

He picked her up and walked out without looking back at me once.