I tried the founding date of the Rockefeller Group. Mr. Rockefeller had once said Lucas valued work more than his own life.
The screen flashed a message in bright red: "Disabled. Try again in 1 minute."
I stared at the phone, blank. Wanted to laugh. Wanted to cry. I was his wife. His assistant could unlock his phone easily, but I, his legal spouse, didn't even know the password.
He shared all his secrets with Vivian.
So... maybe the password was Vivian's birthday? Or their anniversary?
Whatever the answer, one thing was crystal clear: Vivian and Lucas weren't just sleeping together. They were in sync.
The realization nearly choked me.
Maybe Vivian was right. Lucas and I, our marriage certificate was just a piece of paper. She could effortlessly make him come back to her, again and again.
I let out a bitter laugh. Seconds ago, I'd actually entertained a fantasy, wondering if there was any chance I could keep this man who'd conquered me with his body...
The water stopped without warning.
I panicked like a thief, fumbling to shove the phone back into his pocket, then scrambled into bed and yanked the covers over me.
The bathroom door handle turned.
I shut my eyes, forcing my breathing steady. I didn't know what I was hiding from. Fear of getting caught snooping? Not knowing how to face him? Didn't matter. I'd given up on him completely.
Footsteps stopped beside the bed. He brought humid warmth from the shower, mixed with pine. I could feel him watching me, that assessing gaze. His stare used to make my knees weak. Now it just made me feel guilty.
I laughed bitterly inside. Ella, you're so pathetic. The cheater isn't guilty—why are you?
"Ella, you asleep?" Lucas's voice suddenly broke the silence.
I nearly gasped but bit it back. What did he want? Why didn't he just lie down and sleep? More rustling sounds—fabric moving.
Lucas was getting dressed.
But where would he go this late?
I didn't want to think it had anything to do with Vivian, but she'd just texted him, and now he was rushing out the door. Even coincidences didn't line up this perfectly.
He tiptoed out of the bedroom. Then came the careful sound of the door closing.
I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling, palm pressed hard against my belly. He was going to her. I knew it.
I was just a tool for venting his desires. A living woman, cleaner than a hooker, more convenient than his hand, right? He'd dirtied me, then discarded me without even a thought of cleaning up. Just went straight to the woman he connected with, body and soul.
Tears rolled down my face in fat drops. I told myself not to cry, but I couldn't help it.
I'd given him a chance.
Maybe if tonight, if he'd just comforted me a little longer, I might have lost control and told him—I'm pregnant. Six weeks.
But he wouldn't.
Tears soaked the pillow. My hand unconsciously rested on my belly, and I made up my mind. As payback, I would absolutely never tell Lucas I was pregnant.
Because after everything Lucas had done, he didn't deserve to be a father.
Chapter Ten
