Chapter 2

2

"Rainie! Let me look at you. Why have you lost so much weight!"

As soon as I entered the house, my mother-in-law rushed forward to grab my hands. She looked me over and pulled me into a tight hug.

The familiar embrace made my nose sting with tears.

Over the years, she had treated me like her own daughter. These few days of companionship would be my way of repaying her kindness.

Dinner was warm and lively. For a brief moment, I pushed my misery to the back of my mind. I laughed genuinely and acted like a spoiled child in her arms.

Click!

The sound of a camera shutter froze the smile on my face.

"Mr. Sterling! This shot is perfect. It's definitely going to go viral!"

Jasper looked at the photo and nodded with satisfaction.

"The company's stock has been volatile lately. We need to film a vlog together to drum up some positive engagement."

His tone was strictly business, devoid of any real emotion. Before I could even respond, he familiarly wrapped his arms around me from behind.

I frowned instinctively as he pressed a piece of pineapple toward my lips.

He had forgotten that I was deathly allergic to pineapples.

"Wait, wait! Rainie, you can't make that face! The fans won't like it!"

Jasper's eyes flashed with annoyance, as if he were blaming me for not being a good co-star.

"I'm allergic."

My voice was flat, but to Jasper's ears, it sounded like an accusation.

His expression shifted from embarrassment to a flicker of rage. He only held it back because there were outsiders in the room.

"My mistake. I've been so busy that I got your preferences mixed up."

He apologized with such conviction, but the warmth in his eyes didn't reach his soul.

The photographer quickly intervened, suggesting a change of scenery.

We moved from the living room to the bedroom.

The shoot dragged on from noon until dusk.

I simply couldn't replicate the deep, soulful love he was so easily faking.

Eventually, the farce had to end.

"Rainie Sinclair, what exactly are you trying to do! Is it really that hard to just cooperate? You don't even have a job, everything you have is because of me―"

He cut himself off. His phone buzzed, and his frustrated expression vanished instantly as he glanced at the screen.

Jasper cleared his throat to hide his sudden change in mood. "There's an emergency at the office. I need to head over now. You'll have to eat dinner alone tonight."

Watching his hurried retreat, a strange mix of emotions churned in my gut.

"Rainie, don't be upset. He's just overworked. I'll give him a piece of my mind when he gets back!"

I forced a bitter smile.

He was busy, alright. He was busy having a secret rendezvous with his mistress.

On my feed, Lyra had just posted a picture of herself in scandalous lingerie. The caption read, "Naughty kitten waiting for her master's lessons."