Angela POV

Sean lifted me from the town car as if I weighed nothing, cradling me against his chest.

His steady heartbeat against my cheek.

For just a moment, I allowed myself to sink into his warmth, to pretend this tenderness meant something more than obligation.

Behind us, Christina’s Louboutins clicked against the floor in perfect rhythm, each step a reminder of her unwanted presence in my home.

Sean gestured toward the living room. “Christina, please make yourself comfortable. Sarah, would you bring Miss Jordan some lemon water?”

“You still remember,” Christina’s smile carried years of shared history. “Though I suppose some things never change. This place looks exactly the same as it did two years ago – you never were one for redecorating, Sean.”

The casual familiarity in her voice made my stomach turn.

Of course she knew every detail of this home – she’d practically lived here before our marriage.

I forced myself to look away as she settled onto the leather sofa with the ease of someone returning to their rightful place.

Perhaps this was always meant to be her home, I thought. I’m just keeping her seat warm.

Sean carried me toward the master bathroom, his movements careful but sure. The marble countertops gleamed under soft lighting as he set me down, steadying me with one arm while reaching for my shirt with his other hand.

Heat that had nothing to do with my fever rushed to my face as his fingers slipped beneath the hem of my shirt.

“I can manage,” I whispered.

“You can barely stand,” he said softly, continuing his gentle but methodical undressing. “Besides, it’s nothing I haven’t seen before. Don’t be shy.”

The intimacy of the moment shattered as Christina appeared in the doorway, still carrying her lemon water.

“Let me help,” she offered, setting her glass aside. “I have a medical degree, after all. I know exactly how to care for patients in this condition.”

I watched Sean’s reflection in the mirror, a part of me desperately hoping he would refuse, would insist on staying. But of course, that was just another foolish fantasy.

As expected, he stepped back. “I’ll be in my study if you need anything.”

The door closed behind him with a quiet click, leaving me alone with the woman who knew every inch of this home as well as I did.

“I’ll take it from here,” she announced, reaching for my blouse buttons.

I swear, this is the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to me:

My husband’s lover gave me a bath!

“My, you’ve gotten thin,” she exclaimed, genuine surprise coloring her voice.”Men generally prefer women with more curves, you know. Sean especially – he’s always appreciated a more… feminine figure.”

“Really?” I met her gaze in the mirror. My voice came out colder than intended.

In two years of marriage, Sean had never once mentioned his preferences in women. Perhaps it didn’t matter whether I was thin or curvy – he simply didn’t care about me at all.

I couldn’t help but notice Christina’s perfect curves reflected in the mirror. So this was the type of figure Sean preferred.

“These past two years… you’ve done Sean such a service, helping him maintain appearances in society. Though I imagine it must have been difficult, playing the role of Mrs. Shaw when everyone knows it’s temporary.” Christina smiled.