Chapter 3

On the first morning, I packed my luggage and placed the death notification into a gift box and left it on the table.

Then I received a video from Hannah. I clicked on it, and it showed the master bedroom of our marital home.

Erick's bare back was turned to the camera. There were visible scratch marks. The bed shook violently, and the two figures having sex were reflected on the window glass.

The video was obviously shot secretly by Hannah. She must want to provoke me.

At dawn, Erick returned to the villa. As he entered the room, the lingering scent of sex hung in the air. He looked satisfied and tossed a gift box to me. "Wear this on our anniversary."

I opened the box to find a sapphire bracelet. "Got it."

Erick loosened his tie as he stepped closer. I picked up the box from the table. "A gift in return. This is for you."

He was about to open it when I stopped him. "Open it on our anniversary. It's a surprise for you."

With that, I put the box back on the table.

Erick's arm pulled me into his embrace. His fingers had just slipped into my nightgown when Hannah's call interrupted. After ending the call, he left the villa without looking back.

The next morning, I was awakened by the ringtone at dawn.

"Kimberly, did you watch the live broadcast?" As soon as I answered the phone, a hesitant voice came through.

I clicked the live broadcast interface and saw Erick standing on the podium at the Blake Group's press conference. He was wearing the suit I had recently ironed for him. He exuded poise and confidence.

On the live stream, the host looked at him with admiration. "Mr. Blake, during the earthquake at the inspection site, at that critical, life-threatening moment, why did you instinctively shield Hannah, the secretary, first?"

Erick replied with a smile, "Every employee of the Blake Group is like family to me. It is a responsibility I must uphold to protect my family."

Applause erupted from the audience.

I scoffed and closed the interface.

The voice on the other end of the line hesitated for a few seconds. "Are you alright?"

"Don't worry. I'm fine."

After ending the call, the villa fell into an unusual silence.

The family he felt obliged to protect didn't include me, his wife, but rather Hannah, who had "collapsed" into his arms during the earthquake.

I retrieved a mini voice recorder from the safe. It contained a complete recording of Hannah stealing the company's core secrets.

It even included Erick's attempts to cover up her crime once he learned the truth.

On the third day, I went to work at the Blake Group as usual.

To avoid arousing Erick's suspicion, I planned to continue performing my duties as his assistant in the last few days.

But as soon as I reached the CEO's office door with a folder, I froze.

Intimate sounds came through the door. Hannah's hand traced Erick's charming face. She was using her alluring figure to outline his body without any reservations.

Erick's tall frame stiffened, and his hand wrapped around her waist uncontrollably as he felt the soft part of hers beneath the dress. In the next moment, he pressed his lips against hers with increasing intensity.

I pushed open the door, and both of them focused their attention on me.

Hannah clung to him coquettishly. "Is this your assistant? I left my folder in the lounge. Could you get it for me?"

She issued the order to me as if she were Erick's wife, flaunting her position.

She was afraid that others couldn't see Erick's favoritism for her.

Erick paused and was about to speak, but I unexpectedly agreed first. "Sure. Just a moment."

The divorce agreement had already taken effect. I was merely Erick's assistant now.

I stepped into the lounge to find the folder. Then I noticed a tin of Whittard chocolate powder on the bar. Then I remembered the note in his drawer. "Hannah loves Whittard chocolate powder.

Then I understood why Erick's exclusive lounge always had Whittard chocolate powder in stock.

I never cared for chocolate, but to suit his tastes, I forced myself to get used to it.

My personal preferences, dislikes, and tastes had quietly been molded to match Hannah's.

As I found the folder, I noticed the rumpled bedsheets beside me. My eyes stung, but I didn't shed tears.

My heart was numb, and my tears had long since dried.

I walked into the office with the folder. Just as I was about to hand it to Hannah, she abruptly yanked it away while Erick wasn't looking.

"Ah!" With a startled cry, the sharp edge of the folder cut into my finger.

A sharp, burning pain shot through me.

I gasped in pain and stepped back instinctively as blood dripped to the floor.

Erick immediately pulled Hannah into his arms. His face was filled with concern. "Hannah, did you hurt your hand?" Hannah's eyes welled with tears.

"It's all my fault. Kimberly was in a hurry to give it to me, and the folder accidentally brushed against her hand."

Only then did he glance at my bleeding hand and me, who was trembling in pain. "What's wrong with you? You can't even handle this small task properly."

Erick's indifferent gaze swept over me. He seemed to be blind to the deep cut on my hand. "Why are you still standing here? Clean it up."

My heart felt as though it had been cut by that sharp folder and then immediately soaked in saltwater.

I silently turned away and headed to the infirmary.

As the disinfectant stung my wound, my heartbeat faltered. But it didn't hurt as much as my heart did.

Hannah had deliberately injured me twice.

I returned to my office, took a picture of the documents with my wounded hand, and sent a message to that number. "Two days left until he receives the death notification."