Chapter 2

2.

My phone buzzed with a text. It said someone would pick me up for the base in three days after my final check-up at the city hospital.

I replied with a single word: "Okay."

Today was supposed to be the day Zane accompanied me to see my therapist, but he had clearly forgotten.

It wasn't until evening that he finally stumbled through the door, looking satisfied and refreshed.

I was sitting at the dining table, mindlessly shoving food into my mouth. He rushed over in a panic and grabbed my hand.

"Jade, stop! You're going to make yourself sick if you eat like this."

I yanked my hand away. The nausea hit me again, and I sprinted for the bathroom.

He seemed to finally remember his broken promise and followed me, apologizing nervously.

"I'm so sorry, Jade. I forgot about the doctor today. Is your condition getting worse?"

His face was a mask of guilt, but all I could smell on him was a cloying, rose-scented perfume.

It was the exact scent Nadia always wore.

I pushed him away and said coldly, "Stay away from me. You smell like perfume."

He froze, then forced a shaky smile.

"I probably picked it up from someone in the elevator."

He started backing toward the bathroom. "I'll go wash up. Please don't be mad."

I gave a small, empty nod.

As I watched him retreat in a panic, the chill in my heart grew deeper.

His phone, left on the table, lit up with a text from a contact saved as "Property Manager."

"Are you coming over tonight? The villa you bought me is too big. I'm scared to be here alone."

Then, a photo popped up.

It was Nadia in a skimpy nurse outfit, posing provocatively.

Everything clicked.

No wonder Zane had asked me for an extra ten million dollars for "marketing" even though the game was already in beta.

I had my doubts at the time, but I trusted him, so I signed the check.

He spent every penny of it on a house for his mistress.

I forced back the urge to vomit and put the phone back exactly where it was.

Almost immediately, Zane stepped out of the bathroom, drying his hair.

He walked toward me, smelling of soap, and tried to pull me into his arms.

I pointed at his phone without any emotion. "You just got a notification."

His body stiffened. He snatched up the phone and scanned the screen.

His brow furrowed as he typed a quick reply: "I told you not to text me while I'm at home."

Nadia sent a few more photos that were even more graphic.

"But I miss you! Come on... the little nurse needs a check-up."

A corner of Zane's mouth twitched upward reflexively, and he didn't notice how cold my gaze had become.

He looked up, his tone suddenly light and airy.

"The game is launching tonight. I have to go back to the studio to oversee things. You should get some sleep."

He started scrambling to put on his clothes, clearly desperate to leave.

As he reached the door, he noticed I hadn't said a word. He turned back, confused. "Honey?"

I looked at him and said, one word at a time, "Can you please stay tonight?"

His lips moved as if he were debating it. He even took his hand off his shoe.

Just then, his phone buzzed again.

He took one look at the screen, and his resolve hardened instantly.

"Be a good girl, Jade. I just need to check things over. If there are no bugs, I'll be right back."

Watching his frantic exit, a dull ache throbbed in my chest.

He could have just told me the truth. I wouldn't have begged him to stay.

Instead, he chose to humiliate me with these pathetic lies while he cheated.