Chapter 2

A week later, I sat down next to him with the household budget book.

"Kelly's enrichment classes raised their fees."

I opened the book.

"The joint account balance is running low. Is the company doing okay financially?"

"The company's fine." He barely glanced at it.

"The banquet budget was approved ages ago. If there's not enough money, just use the credit card. I'll deposit more next month."

"The banquet... it's at the Imperial Hotel?"

"Yeah, the Starlight Hall." His eyes flickered.

"How did you know?"

"I saw the promotion when I passed by last time." I lowered my eyes.

"I heard it's expensive."

"It's the company's tenth anniversary. We need to do it right."

He put his arm around my shoulders.

"When I'm done with all this, I'll take you and Kelly to Greece."

Another promise.

"By the way," I looked up,

"Can I see the banquet schedule? I don't even know what my own company's event looks like."

After a few seconds of silence, he said:

"Sure, I'll send it to your phone."

A minute later, the digital schedule and seating chart arrived.

"Just take a look. Don't forward it to anyone."

"Got it."

He got up to shower.

I opened my phone and found the woman's name in the administrative department.

I took screenshots, uploaded them to the cloud, and backed them up to an encrypted hard drive.

Passing the study, the door was slightly ajar.

His old laptop sat on the desk, the indicator light glowing.

I pushed the door open.

The computer had no password.

The files were disorganized. I clicked on "Work Backup - 2021."

As I was exiting, my peripheral vision caught a strangely named folder: "V."

Double-clicked. It required a password.

I tried his birthday, my birthday, the company founding date. All wrong.

I entered "Vivian" in pinyin.

The folder opened. Inside were photos of him and Vivian in intimate poses.

I inserted a USB drive and copied all the photos.

Just then, he appeared in the doorway, hair dripping, eyes scanning the computer:

"What are you doing in the study?"

I lied:

"Looking for Kelly's vaccination record. The kindergarten needs it tomorrow."

I waved the little blue booklet.

"Your old computer was still on. Such a waste of electricity."

"I forgot to turn it off." He walked over and pressed the power button.

"Don't touch my computer from now on. There's confidential business information."

"Yes, sir, Mr. Hughes."

I smiled and playfully punched him, then walked out of the study.

A few days later, I met with lawyer Quinn Reed to handle my divorce case.

Afterwards, I went to a digital store on the west side. The owner, Derek Mason, was my college classmate.

"Here's what you wanted."

He handed me a black velvet box.

Inside was a rose brooch and a lipstick. Both were hidden cameras.

Derek's expression was complicated.

"Be careful."

I smiled. "Don't worry. I'm not the one who needs to be careful."

That night, Matthew came home at 2 AM, reeking of alcohol.

I helped him to bed, wiped his face, took off his shoes.

In his daze, he grabbed my hand:

"Vivian... stop teasing..."

In the darkness, I opened my phone.

Vivian's social media had been updated.

In the photo, she wore a Cartier bracelet, holding up a wine glass.

I took Matthew's phone and liked the post.

A minute later, Vivian sent a private message:

"Matthew? Why did you like it? Didn't you say we shouldn't go public yet?"

I replied in Matthew's tone:

"Couldn't help it. Missing you."

She sent a shy emoji:

"I miss you too. I tried on the gown. It's gorgeous. Will you announce our relationship at the banquet?"

I continued:

"Of course. Giving you the best."