Chapter 2

02

The word flew out of her mouth before I even finished.

Chloe's nails dug into my arm, leaving white marks as she stuttered.

"I... I'm not really close with those people. It would just be awkward."

"We should just stick to family. Their blessings are more sincere."

I laughed inwardly but kept my face tight with feigned concern.

"But only your parents are coming from your side..."

"Honey, I don't want our wedding to be some massive circus."

"I'm socially anxious, and I can't handle all those annoying relatives."

I nodded slowly, pretending to give in to her request.

Right then, her phone buzzed on the nightstand.

She tried to flip it over quickly, but I saw the caller ID.

It said: [Husband Axel].

Chloe bit her lip, looking tense as she grabbed the phone.

"Silas, I have an emergency work thing to handle. Go to sleep first."

She bolted for the home office and locked the door behind her.

I sat back and opened the security app on my phone.

She must have forgotten that I installed cameras in every room for security.

The screen filled with a view of her stripped down to her skin.

It was sickening.

The same woman who claimed she wanted to save herself for our wedding night was now naked.

She was video-chatting with her bestie, Axel Channing.

Her voice came through the speakers, loud and clear.

"Don't worry. The dress thing is handled. Silas is such a loyal dog, he'll agree to anything."

"Who cares if his dead mom made it? It was hideous and old-fashioned."

"The micro-mini you made is so much more my style."

"Honestly, if he wasn't a millionaire's son, I wouldn't spend a second with that bore."

"I bet his face will turn black when he sees me at the altar tomorrow!"

She turned the volume down, but I could still hear her giggling.

"You're so bad! Teasing me this late... Fine, wait for me. I'll come satisfy my Master tonight."

She hung up and crept back into the bedroom to change.

I shut my phone and pretended to be fast asleep.

Chloe didn't care about being quiet; she started rummaging through the closet.

I watched through half-closed eyes as she put on a provocative bunny suit.

She threw a trench coat over it and slipped out the door.

Nausea hit me like a wave. I ran to the bathroom and gagged.

Every spot she had touched felt like it was covered in slime.

My rage was screaming at me to go kill them both right now.

But it wasn't time yet. I slapped myself hard to stay focused.

I took out my phone and messaged my assistant.

"Invite every single one of Chloe's relatives, friends, and coworkers to the venue."

"And set up eight high-definition cameras for a live stream."

My assistant replied almost immediately.

[Sir, Miss Lindberg will be so touched when she finds out how much you care!]

[I wish you two a long and happy life!]

I stared at the screen, feeling the irony like a knife.

I sent him an encrypted video file with one final instruction.

"This is a special surprise for Chloe. Don't mention it to anyone."

I collapsed onto the bed, my mind reeling.

Seven years. This relationship had been rot from the very start.

I followed her phone's GPS to a hotel downtown.

Standing outside their room, I dialed her number.