Chapter 2

2.

“You didn’t have to bring anything, man. Come on in,” I said, offering a stiff, fake smile.

The moment Trevor stepped inside, his eyes locked onto Chloe like a starving predator ready to tear her apart.

“Well, hello there, Chloe! Long time no see!” Trevor said, shoving the boxes toward her while his slimy fingers deliberately brushed against the soft skin of her hand. “You look even more gorgeous than you did in college. Here, a little something for the babies.”

Trevor practically stared holes right through her lace apron.

I watched Chloe’s body stiffen in shock. I silently cursed Trevor for being such a shameless prick, but I had to keep up the charade.

“Old college friends don't need to stand on ceremony. Have a seat, Trevor,” I urged, keeping a close eye on Chloe’s reaction.

Chloe pulled the thin lace apron tight around herself, visibly uncomfortable. “Right… make yourself at home,” she managed a weak smile, her eyes filled with panic.

Trevor acted like he owned the place, plopping down right across from Chloe and boring his eyes into her body.

Unable to endure his predatory stare any longer, Chloe blushed and stammered, “Um, let me go change into something else real quick. You two go ahead and catch up.”

“Hey, don’t bother changing, stay right here!” Trevor suddenly grabbed her wrist, feigning offense. “We’re old classmates, aren't we? Don't treat me like a stranger!”

Seeing his hands on my wife made me want to smash his face into the drywall. The bastard had wanted Chloe back in high school and had never let it go.

Yet for the sake of that promotion and the cash, I choked down my rage.

Chloe looked at me with pleading eyes, begging for a rescue. I pretended not to notice and smiled casually. “She’s right, babe, we’re all old friends here. No need to be so formal.”

I took Chloe’s trembling hand, guided her down into her chair, and gestured for Trevor to sit. Trevor kept tossing out polite small talk while undressing my wife with his eyes, making my blood boil.

“Let’s eat and drink!” I announced, pouring heavy glasses of liquor, secretly hoping to get him blacked out so the whole twisted plan would fall apart.

“Don’t just drink with me!” Trevor raised his glass toward Chloe with a greasy grin. “Chloe, here’s to you! May you and Harlan always stay this happy!”

“Thank you…” Chloe muttered awkwardly, taking a tiny sip.

Looking at the two of them, self-loathing ate me alive. I was pushing my own wife into another man’s arms for dirty money―I was absolute human trash.

“Harlan, you alright? Why the long face?” Trevor asked, noticing my grim expression.

“I’m fine, man. Here, let’s toast!” I raised my glass and downed the entire shot of whiskey in one gulp.

“That’s my boy! Down the hatch!” Trevor emptied his glass, slammed it down, and smiled slyly. “Look, Harlan, I heard you’ve been running into some financial trouble lately. If you need a hand, just say the word. I’ll do whatever it takes!”

I sneered inside. *Of course you will, you vulture. You’re just waiting for the perfect chance to take what’s mine.*

“Man, don’t get me started,” I sighed with forced helplessness. “Raising twins in this economy is brutal. Daycare, formula, medical bills―it’s bleeding me dry. On top of that, my mother-in-law just started dialysis for kidney failure…”

Hearing this, Chloe’s eyes welled up with tears. She reached out and grabbed my hand, her misty gaze filled with raw tenderness. “Honey… you’ve been carrying so much weight for us…”

I patted the back of her hand gently. “Don’t say silly things like that. We’re family. We get through it together.”

Trevor watched us, practically drooling at the sight of her vulnerability. He quickly raised his glass again. “Chloe, Harlan is right! Let’s have another drink to celebrate a marriage as solid as steel!”

I cursed him in my head for calling her so intimately, but I forced another smile. “Yeah, cheers to that!”

From that point on, Trevor used the alcohol as an excuse to keep pouring drinks for Chloe.

She usually couldn’t even finish half a glass of wine, but tonight, weighed down by guilt and emotion, she knocked back drink after drink.

Before long, the alcohol hit her hard.

Her pale cheeks flushed a deep, sultry red, and her eyes turned glassy as her speech slurred. Watching her look so completely helpless and seductive made Trevor’s gaze turn ravenous.

I cursed inwardly. *Damn it, I’m still standing right here, and you can’t even wait until I leave the room?*