Chapter 2

2

I heard footsteps outside the door. Caleb was coming.

I quickly switched my computer screen to a project I was planning to scrap and fixed my expression.

"Hey, babe. Still busy? It's noon already, let's grab some lunch."

Caleb walked in with a smile. When he saw the project files on my screen, his eyes flickered with a dark interest.

"Are you starting a new project? You haven't rested in so long. Is there anything I can help with?"

His puppy-dog eyes were filled with fake concern.

"No, it's fine..."

The rejection slipped out of my mouth instinctively. In the past, I never let him handle company matters because I wanted him to focus on his acting.

I saw a flash of suppressed anger in his eyes the moment I said it.

My supposed thoughtfulness was actually blocking his path to stealing more information.

"Actually, you can help," I said, changing my mind while looking at the useless project files.

Caleb looked surprised.

"We're getting married soon, after all. You should start learning the ropes. This company will be our joint venture eventually."

"Of course! I'll do anything to help you, Elara."

He wrapped his arms around my waist and buried his face in my neck.

The gesture was so familiar and intimate.

But I couldn't help but wonder if he was imagining I was Mabel right now.

He really would do anything for her.

I felt nothing inside as I patted his arm. "Alright, let's go eat."

At the restaurant, Caleb went to the restroom and left his phone on the table.

The screen lit up with a notification.

When I saw the contact name "Sweet Mabel" with a heart emoji, my heart turned to ice.

He knew how much I loathed her.

He hadn't even bothered to hide his feelings for her in his phone. He didn't even change her name.

I had been played for years.

Caleb came back and looked panicked when he saw his screen was lit up.

I just kept flipping through the menu as if I hadn't seen anything.

He let out a sigh of relief and smiled at me.

"My agent is calling again. I need to step out and take this."

"Aren't we ordering?"

"Just pick for me. I love whatever you choose."

Through the restaurant window, I saw him laughing softly into the phone.

"I'll have these items then. Two of each," I told the waiter.

A few minutes later, Caleb ran back looking flustered.

"The studio has an emergency. You eat first, babe. I'll make it up to you and cook at home tonight."

It was the same old excuse. I never questioned why a low-tier actor had so much work.

There were so many holes in his story, yet I had been blind to them all.

I finished my lunch in silence.

I took the extra portion and fed it to a stray dog in the alley nearby.

When I got back to the office, I looked at the surprise I had originally prepared for Caleb.

It was an asset transfer agreement, but one that would have given him far more than he was trying to steal.

I laughed at myself and fed the documents into the paper shredder.

The sound of the machine destroying the paper felt like the end of our charade.

The machine beeped when it was done.

I snapped out of it and messaged my new financial advisor.

Since they thought I was cold-blooded, I decided to show them exactly what that looked like.

And I was going to see if their "precious" Mabel was really as saintly as they thought.

"Check every asset under Caleb Rhodes and Miller's names. Look for any money transfers to Mabel Thorne."

"Also, calculate every cent I've invested in Caleb's career and compare it to the revenue he's actually brought in."

If I'm the heartless one, then I want every penny back.

After making the calls, I had my driver take me to the hospital.