Chapter 2
1026words
I stared at the ceiling until dawn.
Eyes puffy and raw, I dragged myself to the office.
Olivia pounced the moment I arrived, eager to continue her gossip from yesterday.
"Something definitely happened between Mitchell and Blackwood after they left last night!" she whispered excitedly.
I massaged my temples, fighting a splitting headache.
She leaned closer, dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
"Mitchell's tie was crooked this morning,"
"And if you get close enough, you can smell another woman's perfume on him."
"And get this…"
"It's the exact same scent Blackwood wears."
I managed a noncommittal "Mmm."
She pressed on, oblivious to my pain.
"Ice Queen Blackwood's totally different today. Usually she's all business, but now she's practically glowing, with this little smile that won't quit. And she's walking differently too."
I forced myself to ask casually.
"What do you mean, 'walking differently'?"
She gestured vaguely, searching for words.
"Like she's all loose and relaxed. More… I don't know… feminine?"
"Even her voice has this satisfied purr at the end of sentences. Look, see for yourself."
I glanced up.
There was Sophia Blackwood, gliding in wearing a cream cashmere dress that hugged every curve.
I recognized that dress instantly.
I'd lingered over it in a Neiman Marcus catalog while shopping with Adrian.
He'd said it was "too form-fitting" for my frame.
It wasn't about being unsuitable at all.
It was about being perfect for someone else.
Sophia floated around the office, uncharacteristically cheerful, promising everyone artisanal pour-over coffee that afternoon.
The office buzzed with excitement.
I sat frozen in my cubicle, a vise grip tightening around my throat.
I tried drowning myself in spreadsheets.
It didn't help.
I robotically clicked through tasks until afternoon.
I was staring at nothing when it happened.
Sophia, carrying a steaming mug, practically danced toward Adrian's office.
Once inside…
She didn't emerge until quitting time.
Olivia slid her chair over, lips pursed in scandal.
"They're not even being subtle anymore. Lily—you know, the one whose desk faces his office—saw Sophia in Mitchell's lap, sharing coffee between kisses!"
"They're treating his office like a damn honeymoon suite!"
She flashed her phone at me, showing Lily's sneaky photo.
There was Sophia, nestled in Adrian's lap, molded against him like she belonged there.
Her hands cradled his face as they kissed deeply, lost in each other.
"God, imagine if his wife ever found out about this."
Olivia sighed dramatically.
The department head across the aisle cleared his throat loudly.
"Perhaps focusing on your actual job would be more productive than gossip?" he snapped.
Olivia, never knowing when to quit, whispered:
"Fine! Whatever! Twenty bucks says the mistress becomes the wife within six months."
The director's face hardened as he grabbed a massive stack of files and dumped them on Olivia's desk.
"Since you're clearly done with all your assignments, these files need organizing. Immediately."
"And you're not leaving until every last one is properly filed."
Olivia wilted visibly.
I discreetly messaged her.
[FYI—Director and Sophia go way back. He's Team Homewrecker all the way. Watch your mouth.]
Olivia sent back a string of crying emojis.
I offered what comfort I could.
[I'll help you knock these out. Then hot pot's on me. Extra spicy.]
She fired back heart emojis and a thumbs up.
Evening fell.
Just as we finished the last file and were sneaking toward freedom, the director materialized in our path.
"Everyone's been putting in extra hours. Drinks on me—team bonding time."
Before we could protest, he herded us to a trendy gastropub near the office.
Several drinks later, we found ourselves corralled into a private karaoke room next door.
Olivia and I claimed a corner, losing ourselves in TikTok to avoid socializing.
I barely registered the door opening repeatedly as more executives filtered in.
Until I heard that laugh—his laugh.
There stood Adrian Mitchell, holding court among business partners.
Initially, they discussed Q4 projections and partnerships.
Eventually, as the alcohol flowed, talk turned to women and relationships.
"Saw Sophia's Instagram last night—city lights and 'Worth the wait' as the caption. Mitchell, you finally sealed the deal with her?"
A balding VP nudged Adrian's shoulder.
My knuckles went white around my phone.
Adrian's voice held that perfect blend of false modesty and male pride.
"Sophia's… passionate. If I don't give her what she wants, she'll walk."
"You all know she's irreplaceable. The company would collapse without her."
"Hell, I'd be lost without her too."
"So she's cool playing second fiddle to the wife?"
"Careful, Mitchell. Playing with fire gets you burned."
"We all remember how you chased your wife like a lovesick puppy. If she finds out, won't she go nuclear?"
"Nah. His wife's this meek little thing. No career, totally dependent on his money. Even if she found out, what's she gonna do?"
"Exactly. Being Mrs. Mitchell—even in name only—beats any alternative for her."
The drunken consensus formed: as long as Adrian kept Sophia satisfied, his docile wife posed zero threat.
Several raised their glasses, toasting his ability to "have his cake and eat it too."
Olivia's brow furrowed as she leaned toward me.
"What pigs," she whispered.
Then added thoughtfully:
"But they're not wrong, are they? His wife's just some regular girl with no connections. Making waves would only hurt her, right?"
I nodded, my voice eerily steady.
"You're right. She won't make a scene."
"Adults handle things… differently."
Just then…
Adrian raised his glass, his voice carrying that smug irritation of a man discussing property:
"Yeah, besides a pretty face and being easy to manage, there's nothing remarkable about her."
"Can't compare to Sophia's curves, that's for damn sure."
"Though Sophia's demands give me migraines. Not sure how long I can keep her satisfied."
"Honestly, marriage was my mistake. Should've just kept a rotation of college girls on retainer. Cheaper in the long run. Now divorce would cost me a fortune."
So that was his equation.
Yes, Adrian and I were legally bound.
A divorce would cost him dearly.
Since he was so concerned about his precious assets…
I'd grant his wish.
I could walk away empty-handed.
But some debts can't be settled with money.
