Chapter 2

"Ethan, sorry. I was in a meeting. Is everything okay?"

"Are you at the office? I need to talk to you. I'm coming over now."

Victoria sounded hesitant.

"Right now? That might be difficult. I have a business dinner tonight. If it's nothing urgent, how about we talk when I get home..."

"I can't wait."

I cut her off.

My voice was so cold and sharp that it clearly startled her.

Normally, I was always the understanding, patient partner. I never spoke to her like this.

She frowned through the line:

"Are you still throwing a tantrum about the green card? I told you, you’re my husband. By law, you'll get it sooner or later. Besides, you don't even work. Why are you so obsessed with a green card anyway?"

"Ethan, I provide for you. You don't need to worry about money."

Victoria had whispered that sweet promise to me a thousand times.

Now, hearing it, every single word felt like a slap in the face.

Providing for a man who wasn't legally her husband?

Then what was I?

A mistress? A secret side-piece?

Whatever it was, I was clearly someone she kept in the dark.

I didn't confront her over the phone.

"I’ll be there in thirty minutes," I said, and hung up.

Some things had to be said face-to-face.

Because I knew nothing about finance, I rarely visited her office. Victoria was always busy, and I never wanted to be a distraction.

Which is why the receptionist had to verify my identity for ten minutes before finally escorting me to Victoria's private office.

When I reached the door, I could hear voices laughing inside.

"So, Victoria, when are you and Julian actually going to have a real wedding?"

"Yeah, you guys have been legally married for five years now. Why the secrecy?"

Then came Julian’s soft, mock-modest voice:

"Oh, stop it, you guys. Victoria only married me on paper so I could get my residency."

"If Ethan hears you talking like this, he’ll misunderstand."

The colleagues inside obviously didn't care.

Instead, they took it as an opportunity to mock me:

"Who cares if he misunderstands? If Victoria wasn't paying for his life, he’d have been deported back to London ages ago. It’s not like he actually helps her business like you do, Julian. All he does is cook and clean. He’s basically a glorified housekeeper."

Another voice chuckled, whispering an suggestion to Victoria:

"Honestly, Victoria, you should just make it real. Stay married to Julian."

"As for the live-in maid at home? Just write him a check and send him back to the UK."

My hand froze on the doorknob.

Like everyone in that room, I waited for Victoria’s response.

She seemed to actually consider it.

After a brief silence, she let out a careless laugh:

"Alright, that's enough, guys. Julian gets embarrassed easily."

"As for the one at home... he’s been a bit moody lately. I’ll just buy him something to quiet him down. If that doesn't work, we'll see."

"We'll see." The implication was loud and clear.

As soon as she said it, a wave of knowing laughter erupted in the room.

I didn't stand there like an idiot anymore.

Amidst the laughter, I pushed the door open.