Chapter 2

The next morning, Darius woke her with a gentle kiss. "I know I missed our anniversary yesterday because of work," he said, his voice thick with sleep and feigned regret. "Let's go somewhere today. Just the two of us. How about that new Michelin-starred restaurant, 'Aria'? I know how much you love their tasting menu."

Joana felt a wave of nausea. Aria. Their new favorite spot. But she knew this was part of the performance she had to endure for the next three weeks. She gave a noncommittal shrug.

Darius didn't wait for a real answer. He was already out of bed, pulling clothes from the closet, buzzing with an energy that felt entirely false. "I bought the whole place out for the night," he added with a proud grin. "Just for us."

At the restaurant, he was the picture of a doting husband. He held her chair, ordered her favorite champagne, and discussed each course with the chef who came to their table personally. The entire staff revolved around them, treating them like royalty. He held her hand across the white linen tablecloth, his thumb stroking her knuckles, as if he was afraid she might slip away at any moment. The irony was suffocating.

"To us," he said, raising his glass. "To forever."

I'm already lost, Darius, she thought, the words a silent scream in her mind. I lost my way the day I met you.

Their presence didn't go unnoticed, despite the empty restaurant. A paparazzo, likely tipped off by Darius's PR team, snapped a few photos of them through the window. The headline was already writing itself: "Billionaire Darius Madden Buys Out Michelin Restaurant for Romantic Anniversary Dinner with Wife Joana Scott." A perfect addition to their perfect fairy tale.

Joana forced a smile and nodded. Darius, ever the showman, wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, smiling for the camera he knew was there.

After the main course, Joana excused herself. "I'll be right back," she murmured, needing a moment to breathe away from his suffocating performance.

In the cool marble of the ladies' room, she leaned against the counter, her reflection looking pale and fragile. She discreetly took out her phone, her fingers flying across the screen out of a morbid curiosity she couldn't suppress.

She found what she was looking for on Kaylee Owens's Facebook page. The model had posted just an hour ago. It was a series of professionally shot photos of her, posing seductively inside this very restaurant, Aria.

The caption read: "My boyfriend is the best! I told him I loved this place, so he bought the entire restaurant for me! Am I the luckiest girl or what? #BestBoyfriend #Spoiled"

Joana's hand went numb. This restaurant. The one Darius had told her was a new "real estate investment" for the company. It was a gift for his mistress.

The comment section of the post exploded with fawning praise.

"No way! You're lying!" one comment read, but it was quickly buried.

"Show us the proof!"

Kaylee had clearly anticipated this, pinning her own reply to the top. It was a photo of a crisp property deed, held in her perfectly manicured hands. The owner's name was clearly visible, though blurred for her followers. "See? Now do you believe me?" she had written.

The chat erupted.

"OMG! Your boyfriend is richer than Darius Madden!"

"Darius Madden only gives his wife jewelry. Your man gives you an entire restaurant! That's real love!"

Suddenly, a notification popped up on the screen. A new comment appeared, instantly pinned to the very top. It was from a username she recognized with a sickening jolt: 'Love_Kaylee'.

The bold comment read for all to see: "Of course I love Kaylee more."

The post descended into chaos. Viewers went wild, screaming about the mysterious, insanely wealthy boyfriend.

Kaylee replied to the comment with a string of heart emojis, a smug, satisfied victory lap.

Joana's hand trembled. She looked from her phone screen, back towards the dining room where Darius sat. He was still staring at his own phone, a faint, indulgent smile on his lips, his eyes full of a sickeningly familiar fondness.

It was him. He was 'Love_Kaylee'.

He was sitting out there, playing the part of the perfect husband, while publicly declaring his love for another woman.

Joana felt something inside her shatter completely. A sharp, physical pain ripped through her chest, and for a long moment, she couldn't breathe.