Chapter 2

2

The investigator was fast. Within forty-eight hours, I had a file on Jace's secret family.

He had even bribed the doctors I had been seeing. Every single medical report was faked to make me believe I was the one with the fertility issues.

The "herbal supplements" I had been taking were nothing more than expensive placebos.

As I stared at the photos spread out on my desk, my heart finally turned to stone.

Their son was already over a year old. In the photos, Jace was holding the woman's hand while pushing a stroller.

He looked so radiant and genuinely happy―a side of him I had never truly seen.

I tucked the photos away and decided to play along for a little longer.

The next morning, Jace suggested another "check-up" at the clinic.

"Liana, if there's no progress this time, maybe we should try a different hospital, okay?"

He was acting like the devoted husband, but I knew the doctor there was on his payroll.

Suggesting a new hospital was just a tactic to make me trust him more, to make me believe he was truly trying.

I didn't call him out. I went to the clinic and listened to the doctor's rehearsed speech.

"Ms. Rivers, you need to relax. Stress is the biggest enemy of conception."

I had heard this nonsense a thousand times. Normally, I would have been in tears by now.

Instead, I just nodded and let out a heavy sigh. "Maybe I'm just not meant to have children."

Jace comforted me with a hug and picked up a fresh batch of useless pills.

As we walked out of the hospital, his phone buzzed. The caller ID said "Potential Client."

His expression sharpened into a mask of urgency. "Liana, there's an emergency with a client. You head home first, and I'll be back for dinner."

He hurried off before I could respond.

But I had been standing close enough to hear the voice on the other end. It was a woman, frantic and loud.

"Jace! Our son has a fever. Get here right now!"

Watching him run off, I felt like laughing. It must be exhausting to live a double life like that.

I didn't mind, though. Soon, he wouldn't have to worry about balancing us anymore.

My lawyers had already drafted the divorce papers. Once I had enough evidence for a full asset freeze, he'd be out on the street.

Jace didn't come home that night. He sent a text saying he was pulling an all-nighter at the office.

He told me to eat well, take my meds, and promised to bring me my favorite caramel apples from the shop uptown.

His texts were so formulaic I wondered if he just copy-pasted them from a script.

I didn't take the medicine. I poured the entire bottle down the drain.

I spent the evening organizing the evidence of his infidelity instead of waiting for him.

He didn't return until noon the next day, looking exhausted. He tossed his tie on the sofa and collapsed.

On the coffee table sat a bag of those caramel apples from the north side of town.

I remembered when we first started dating. I mentioned I liked them once, and he spent hours driving across the city to find the best ones.

Back then, he looked at me with such adoration. "Liana, I found the best shop. Tell me if you like these, and I'll get them for you every week."

For a long time, I actually believed him. I told him I liked the ones from the north side because the shop was right next to his office.

I wanted to save him the long drive. I was trying to be a good wife.

I never realized that back then, he was already cheating. He wasn't going out of his way for me; he was just stopping by on his way back from her place.

I stared at the bag and asked casually, "Jace, why do you smell like baby powder and formula?"

Jace froze. A flicker of panic crossed his face. "What? I… I don't think I do."

I pretended to look annoyed. He immediately scrambled to smooth things over.

"Oh! The client I was with brought her toddler to the meeting. I had to hold him for a bit while she signed the contracts."

"I didn't want to tell you because I know how sensitive you are about babies right now. I'm sorry, babe. Don't be mad."

He reached out to hug me, but I pushed him away with a look of feigned disgust.

"Fine, I'm not mad. Just go shower. You smell like a daycare."

Relieved that he had escaped another lie, he practically skipped to the bathroom.

While the water was running, I grabbed his phone. It took me three tries, but I eventually guessed the passcode.

It was the secret child's birthday. The phone unlocked instantly. He really did love that kid.

I opened his messaging apps and scrolled through the sea of lies.

I found a contact labeled "Project Manager." It was actually his mistress, Sylvia West.

I took photos of every incriminating text and video with my own phone.

As I was about to put it back, a new message popped up from "Project Manager."

"The baby is crying for his daddy. Can you come over and help?"

Jace must have seen the notification on his watch because he came rushing out of the shower.

"Liana, the client needs me again. I have to go."

He had no idea I had seen it all. He dressed in a hurry and bolted.

I placed the divorce papers on the center of the dining table, packed my bags, and went home to my parents.

I couldn't wait to see his face when he realized his meal ticket was gone.