My hands fidgeted as I stared at the picture in front of me. My husband, Marcus, was curled in a sexual position with his secretary, Layla.

The phone I was holding slipped, crashing against the floor.

“No, it’s not possible,” I mumbled, shaking my head in denial. “Marcus would never do something like that to me.”

Even though I kept humming the words, I couldn’t believe it. Maybe deep down, I already knew something like this would happen.

“I have to find him.”

With those words, I scooped my phone off the floor and rushed over to Marcus’s office.

My steps quickened the moment the elevator doors opened. For some reason, when I heard chuckles coming from Marcus’s office, my pace slowed, and my heart began to race.

My hand fastened over the doorknob, ready to slide the door open. Then I heard it.

“Do you think Sasha suspects anything?” Layla’s voice floated out, piercing through my heart.

My slumped down not want to believe what I was hearing.

Slowly, I pushed the door open just enough to reveal their betrayal.

Marcus had Layla on his lap, legs outstretched as he played with a strand of her hair.

“Babe, stop worrying. You know that’s not possible,” Marcus replied smoothly, exuding confidence.

The two of them looked so lost in their own world that they didn’t notice my presence. What a fool I had been not to realize this sooner.

Just when I thought I had seen it all, Marcus delivered another blow straight to my heart.

Marcus leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips.

“If only Sasha was as smart as you, I might’ve thought she’d be capable, but unfortunately…”

Marcus trailed his hand over Layla’s chin, and they both giggled, causing my stomach to churn in disgust.

“She’s too naive for that. Honestly, Layla, you just need to be patient. Sasha is only good for her connections. Once we secure her father’s investment, I’ll make it official with you.”

My chest tightened even more. So this was what they were after—my father’s wealth. I couldn’t believe my ears.

“She is so blind,” Layla remarked with a smirk. “I can’t believe she actually thinks you love her. Just how dumb is she?”

“I know, right?” Marcus added, pulling Layla’s body closer to his own.

“If she wasn’t so dumb, how could I have fooled her into falling in love with me?”

My hand slid away from the doorknob as my head spun. It turned out Marcus had never loved me.

All he ever did was see me as a tool for money. My jaw clenched in anger as Layla’s hand rested on his chest, her fingers playing with his tie. They looked… comfortable. Intimate.

Marcus smirked. “She’s desperate to keep me, always bending over backward to please me. That’s why I haven’t cut her loose yet. She’s useful.”

Layla arched an eyebrow, her lips curving into a sly smile. “Useful, huh? And here I thought you kept her around for her sparkling personality.”

Marcus chuckled, his hand trailing down her arm. “Are you jealous?”

“Of her? Never.” Layla leaned in closer. “Of course not.”

“I’m just wondering how long you’re going to keep pretending. She’s an embarrassment, Marcus. You deserve someone… better. Like me by your side.”

The words made my skin crawl, but I forced myself to watch just how they both had hurt me. I needed to feel the pain for my own stupidity.

Despite my parents’ warnings, I had forced myself to spend the rest of my life with Marcus.

My hand dipped into my pocket, revealing the crumpled pregnancy report.

Thirty minutes ago, I had been so happy to share the good news with Marcus that we were going to be parents. But now…

I gritted my teeth, holding back the flood of emotions threatening to spill over. I couldn’t breathe.

“When is the big reveal?” Layla asked, twirling a strand of her hair as she gazed up at him.

Marcus grinned. “Soon. After her father signs the paperwork. Once we’ve got what we need, she’ll be out of the picture.”

I staggered back, pressing my hand against the wall to steady myself.

A cold dread settled in my chest, each beat of my heart echoing the betrayal I had just witnessed as each word cut deeper than the last. Was this my life?

“I hope you’ve got something special planned for when she’s out of the way,” Layla teased. “You owe me that much, Marcus.”

“Don’t worry,” Marcus said with a smirk. “Once this is done, you’ll have everything you’ve ever wanted.”

She tilted her head, feigning a pout. “And what about Sasha? Think she’ll fight back when she finds out?”

Marcus shrugged. “Sasha? She wouldn’t dare. She’s too scared to lose me. She knows she’d never survive without me.”

Marcus brushed his lips over Layla’s, and then she recoiled. “Stop. We’re in the office.”

Marcus grabbed her waist. “Don’t be shy. You know there’s no one on the first floor, so even if you moan, no one will hear, and the door is locked.”

Layla placed her hand on his shoulder. “I know, but I’m still worried about Sasha.”

Marcus sighed. “That’s never going to happen because she lacks the confidence to even do that.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. This was too much to bear. Tears blurred my vision as a sharp ache spread through my chest.

I struggle to breathe.

Just then, Marcus’s eyes darted toward the door, and his brows furrowed with confusion.

“Why is that door open?”

My eyes widened as I dashed to a corner, my heart racing against the back of my throat.

The morning light poured through the oversized windows of the penthouse, illuminating the sleek marble countertops.

After my narrow escape from Marcus’s office, I hadn’t been myself, especially after what I witnessed. The world around me seemed to fade, my mind racing even as my eyes remained fixed on the coffee before me.

“What should I do? Even if I report this to Dad, he’s not going to believe me,” I muttered under my breath.

My hands trailed over the coffee mug as I let out a deep sigh. After our marriage, Marcus had managed to win over my father with his so-called charming personality. It was a good thing back then, but now…

I grabbed the mug, chugging the coffee down in one go. The bitter taste blasted against my tongue, overpowering the sugar and milk I had added.

The sound of footsteps made my ears perk up, and I tilted my head slightly, glancing over my shoulder.

Marcus and Layla strolled in together, his hand resting on her shoulder as they laughed softly. The moment Marcus’s eyes landed on me, he created some distance between them.

I scoffed, pretending not to notice their intimate position, and turned my attention back to my mug on the counter.

Marcus walked up to me, placing his hands on my shoulders. My body stiffened under his touch.

“Hey, babe. Why are you home so soon? I wasn’t expecting to see you here. Aren’t you supposed to be at work?” he asked with a smile.

A smile that once had the ability to send butterflies fluttering in my belly now made my skin crawl with disgust. My hand instinctively moved to push his away, and I did so slowly.

“What?” I muttered under my breath. “Can’t I stay in my own house?”

Marcus’s brows knitted together as he watched me carefully. His gaze darted to Layla before returning to me. “Or is there a reason you don’t want me here?”

His laughter cut through the air, light but tense. Layla crossed her arms over her chest, stepping closer.

“Sasha, stop being so sensitive,” Layla said, her tone clipped but laced with mock concern. “Marcus and I just came back because he needed a break from work. As his secretary, his health is my top priority.”

Her rose-scented perfume hit my nostrils as she moved closer. My face hardened.

Layla’s eyes glimmered with something unspoken, and for the first time, I noticed the underlying disgust and anger buried in them.

Marcus cleared his throat, his phone buzzing in his pocket. “I’ll be back. I need to take this call,” he said, already walking away.

I hummed nonchalantly, not lifting my gaze from my mug.

Layla leaned in slightly, studying my features. Her round eyes hovered over me, but I didn’t flinch.

“Sasha, you look really pale. Are you okay?”

I turned to her, smirking. “I didn’t expect my husband’s secretary to care so much about me. I thought he was your top priority.”

Layla’s composure faltered for a split second, but she quickly masked it with a forced smile.

“You should take better care of yourself, Sasha,” she said, her voice dripping with condescension.

“Stress isn’t good for…” Her eyes flicked to my abdomen briefly before returning to my face. “…your health.”

My stomach twisted. Did she know? Was she aware that I was carrying Marcus’s child? I forced myself to stay calm.

“Thanks for the advice, but I don’t need your lectures about my health,” I said, keeping my tone neutral.

“Do you think he’ll stay once he knows the truth?” she asked, her voice low and venomous. “Marcus isn’t exactly the type to settle down. You know that, don’t you?”

I stared at her, willing myself not to react. My fingers tightened around the mug again, but I didn’t flinch.

“I’m his wife. What exactly are you trying to say?”

Layla smirked, taking my words as an invitation to continue.

“You’re smart, Sasha. Surely you’ve noticed. Marcus doesn’t like complications. And, well…” She gestured vaguely toward me. “You’re looking more complicated every day.”

I swallowed hard, saying nothing.

When I didn’t respond, Layla leaned back, her smile widening. “You think loyalty will save you, don’t you? That if you just love him enough, he’ll choose you.” She laughed softly, the sound cutting through the air like a blade. “It’s pathetic, really.”

“You’re just a secretary,” I scoffed, my voice sharp. “What right do you have to lecture me about my relationship? Stick to your paperwork.”

That was enough. I stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor as I rose.

“You wouldn’t understand loyalty,” I said sharply, turning to leave.

“Loyalty?” Layla repeated, laughing again. “Oh, Sasha. You’re living in a fantasy. You think he’s loyal to you?”

I ignored her, walking away before she could see the cracks in my composure.

Her laughter followed me out of the kitchen and I headed straight to my room.

I had to think of something really fast. But the question was 'what could I do?'

I stopped at the hallway gazing at marcus in his study pacing about. His face was tight with confusion. His hands were on his hips.

"Was something going on?" I mumbled to myself.

Later that afternoon, I found myself in Marcus’s office. After seeing how agitated he had been lately, I knew something was up.

I had to find out if my dad would be affected by whatever Marcus was planning.

My heart pounded loudly in my chest as I stared at his desk, the perfectly aligned papers, and the expensive pens. He never let me in here unless he was home. But I couldn’t wait anymore. I needed answers.

I needed to know what he was planning. My life already felt like it was in danger; I could feel it in my bones. Once the business with my dad was finalized, Marcus might not keep me alive.

My hands trembled as I flipped through his planner, scanning each neatly written entry: business trips, meetings, dinners. But there was nothing useful. All I saw was more evidence of his betrayal—

The numerous dates he had lined up with Layla and a hotel key card.

“That bastard,” I muttered through gritted teeth, my hand clenching one of the papers so tightly it crumpled.

I moved to the drawer on the left, tugging it open. Inside, I found folders stacked neatly. My fingers hovered over them, but one stood out—a slim black folder with Layla’s name scrawled across the tab. My chest tightened as I opened it.

There it was: a deed to an apartment. Her name was on it, bold and undeniable. I flipped through the pages, and my stomach dropped when I saw the payment history—taken from our joint account.

Tears stung my eyes, but the final blow came when a small note slipped out from between the pages. I picked it up with shaking hands.

“Our future is just beginning. Forget Sasha. It’s us against the world.”

The bile rose in my throat as I dropped the papers on the desk. I staggered back, gripping the edge of a chair for support. How had I been so blind? How long had this been going on?

My breathing grew ragged as the walls of the office seemed to close in around me. I fumbled for my phone, dialing Claire’s number with trembling fingers.

“Hello?” Claire’s familiar voice answered.

“It’s me,” I croaked, my voice breaking.

“Sasha? What’s wrong?”

“I can’t stay here, Claire. I… I need to leave,” I stuttered, my words barely making sense.

Her voice immediately filled with concern. “My God, Sasha, what’s going on? You sound tense. Did something happen?”

My hands trembled, and my lips quivered as I tried to hold back a sob.

“It’s Ma... Marcus,” I whispered shakily, my throat tightening.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, but the words evaporated before I could say them.

“It’s alright. Just pack your bags and come over to my place. We can figure things out together, okay?” Claire said softly.

Tears streamed down my face as I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me.

“Thank you. I just… I don’t know what to do.”

“You’re doing the right thing,” Claire said gently. “You deserve better than this. Just get out of there. Don’t wait.”

I hung up, feeling a small flicker of hope building in my heart. I had to escape this nightmare. First, I needed to leave. Then, I’d figure out what to do next.

I began gathering the papers on Marcus’s desk, determined to leave no trace of my search. I slid the drawer shut, keeping everything in place.

“What are you doing in here, Sasha?” Marcus’s voice boomed suddenly.

I froze, my heart stopping at the sound of his voice. Slowly, I turned to face him. He stood in the doorway, his expression dark and unreadable.

“I… I was just—”

His eyes scanned my face and appearance, narrowing as they locked onto mine. A cold dread settled in my chest.

“Have you been going through my things?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

My pulse quickened as I took a step back. “Marcus, I can explain—”

“No,” he interrupted sharply. “You don’t get to explain. Don’t you trust me?”

Of course, I didn’t trust him, but saying that aloud wasn’t wise, especially with the way his eyes darkened with an anger I’d never seen before.

Marcus stepped closer, and I instinctively backed into the desk, trapped. The air felt suffocating.

“So, tell me, Sasha. What exactly were you looking for?”

I swallowed hard, gripping the edge of the desk as I forced myself to meet his gaze.

“I only came to see if you were hungry. I made your favorite sandwich,” I said, my voice as steady as I could make it. Now, more than ever, I knew Marcus was a dangerous man.

If he knew I was aware of his plans, I couldn’t predict what he might do.

“Are you sure?”

“Is there another reason why I would come here?” I leaned in closer, trying to sound casual. “Are you hiding something from me?”

Marcus’s smile was slow and calculated as he moved away from me.

“Of course not, babe.”