Chapter 2

James didn’t come home that night.

Six months ago, I found out he had a “canary” — a girl he was hiding in an apartment right across from Carson Corp. Tower.

He thought I didn’t know about his affair, but his little canary was far from subtle, flaunting her “perfect” life all over Instagram, almost daring me to notice.

It all started when an unknown number added me on WhatsApp, claiming to be Lily Moore, James’s assistant. I rarely left the house and barely contacted anyone from his work. I didn’t even have the phone number of James's long-time secretary. So, an assistant having my contact? That was suspicious on its own.

As expected, Lily’s Instagram was full of photos with James—traveling together, skiing together, having dinner together...

None of them were overly intimate, but the chemistry was palpable in every shot.

Afterward, I ordered all my favorite dishes for myself, indulging in the feast alone.

Was I heartbroken?

Maybe once, but my body couldn’t afford the luxury of dwelling on meaningless heartbreak.

"Madam, shall I make you some soup for nourishment?" Mrs. Turner, who had cared for me for years, looked at me with concern as I devoured the meal.

"No, thank you. I just want to enjoy a good meal. One won’t hurt."

I gave Mrs. Turner a six-month leave, with full pay.

I’m an odd person—I crave attention, but when it’s given, I never know how to handle it.

At the end of my life, I just wanted to slip away quietly, alone.