Chapter 3
That evening, Marcus came home late as expected, reeking of women’s perfume.
“Client dinner, had a few drinks.” He hiccupped, “Babe, I’m gonna grab a shower first.”
While he was in the bathroom, I went through his phone.
Rain: [Babe, checkup went perfect! Doctor says we can tell the gender now-it’s a boy!]
Marcus replied: [That’s amazing! I have a son! I’ll take you baby shopping tomorrow.]
Rain: [You’re the best, I love you so much!]
Marcus: [Love you and our little guy too. Once he’s born, we’ll finally be a real family.]
Reading their disgusting lovey-dovey messages made me want to puke.
They had it all planned out-just waiting for the legal wife to disappear.
Not happening.
I put his phone back exactly where I found it and plastered on an innocent smile.
When Marcus came out of the shower, I went up to massage his shoulders.
“You work so hard, honey. All these client dinners must be exhausting.”
He enjoyed my attention, a smug look flashing in his eyes. “It’s all for our future.”
“Oh, by the way,” I said casually, “I noticed that receptionist at your office today-she looked pretty pregnant. So young to already have a baby.”
Marcus’s body went rigid. “Really? I hadn’t noticed.”
“Looked like she was pretty far along too, maybe three or four months.”
“Kids these days, don’t know how to protect themselves.” He scrambled for something to say.
I smirked internally while keeping up my concerned act. “Yeah, I hope her boyfriend’s the responsible type. Would be awful if he just left her hanging.”
“I’m sure he’ll do right by her.” Marcus was starting to sweat.
The next day, I had my PI continue tracking them.
Sure enough, Marcus took Rain to some high-end baby boutique, the two of them cozying up while picking out nursery stuff.
In the photos, Marcus had one arm around Rain’s waist, the other hand on her belly, looking at her with the same tenderness he used to show me when we were newlyweds.
Even worse-they hit up a jewelry store afterward, where he bought Rain a twenty-thousand-dollar diamond ring.
I remembered when we got married, I told him not to spend too much on my ring. He nearly cried from gratitude.
Now he’s dropping twenty grand on his side piece?
I bit back my rage and kept listening.
“He promised me that once the baby’s born, he’ll go public with our relationship and make me the real Mrs. Zenith.” Rain’s eyes were dreamy. “Then I’ll be a proper rich wife-never have to kiss ass again.”
“Does that Vivian Hartwell woman know about you yet?”
“Probably not. Marcus is such a good actor at home-never slips up.” Rain smirked. “But even if she knew, so what? I’ve got the son, she doesn’t.
I’m the winner here.”
Enough!
I couldn’t take another second of this crap. I got up and walked out.
Outside, I called my dad.
“Dad, it’s time to move,”
“They’ve pushed me too far. Time to show them what happens when you cross the Hartwells!”
“Alright, you’ve got my full support. We start tomorrow.”
I hung up and stared at the sunset, revenge burning hot in my chest.

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