I was standing frozen at my place, completely numb. A flicker of hesitation passed through his eyes as he asked, his tone nervous, “What were you doing outside the room, Mia? Why didn't you knock or just walk in?”

I cleared my throat as I curled my lips into a faint smile before I said, “I just got here, Denver.”

“Oh,” Denver's expression immediately softened, “Why did you come out of your study room, Honey? You should have called me if you needed coffee or anything. I’m always there to help you. You should only focus on the book you are working on.”

He stepped forward, his hands slowly reaching out to my manuscript as he added, his voice still laced with gentleness and curiosity, “How far did you reach with your story? Let me see…”

But, I immediately stepped back, not letting him reach for my manuscript. He hesitated as he looked up at me with a pair of suspicious eyes.

But, I smiled mischievously before saying, “It's a surprise, Denver. I want you to read the book only when it's finished. I still have the climax to write.”

He smiled back as he stepped back to stand at his place, saying softly, “As you wish, Mia. No matter what you do, I’m always with you.”

“Denver,” I called him, my voice barely above a whisper, trying to see through his eyes, “You said You will ask the publisher to reveal to the world that the author writing behind the pen name ‘Little Fox’ is me. Were you telling the truth? Are you really going to do that?”

“Of course, Honey!” He said, his voice soft and gentle as he continued, “You have been writing for five years under this pen name and people all over the world love your books so much.”

“After they come to know that these books were written by you, they will automatically believe that you could never steal someone's book with that God gifted talent in you.”

“Your image will be cleared, and you don't have to live behind the curtains. You can proudly announce to the world that you are the bestselling author of the USA.”

Tears were formed in my eyes, not because of the sweet dream he just mentioned before me but because of realizing how good of an actor my husband was.

He was never going to announce my name as the author yet he was lying to me so confidently that I could not see even a curve of hesitation on his forehead.

I didn't argue with him. We had our dinner early that was prepared by him. After he went to sleep. I quietly walked out of our bedroom.

He didn’t doubt me as I used to take care of his work the whole day and write at night. But, this time I didn't walk to my study room but his.

The door was locked with a smart lock system invented by his company. As expected, it opened with Cindy’s birthdate.

A smile of mockery spread through my lips as I slowly opened his laptop, password Cindy's dog’s name. What a shame to our marriage!

As I opened his laptop, I discovered his chat with Cindy's and the documents he sent to her. My gaze fixed on the last text in which he mentioned,

“Don't worry about the controversy arising about your work, Cindy. After the publisher announces you as the author behind ‘Little Fox’ pen name, no one will ever judge your talent.”

“When are you going to do that, Denver? I can't wait to watch my haters die of envy.” She replied.

“Next week, Cindy. Just when Mia finishes the book.” Denver wrote.

I closed the laptop, and couldn't get to read any longer. I had been blinded in love for years that I never met my editor or publisher even for once.

I entrusted everything to Denver. The only thing I did was write my books and give the manuscripts to him. The contract, publishing and marketing, these were all done by him and I never raised a question against it.

But, all that he was doing was deceiving me. His love, his care, his motivation, all lies. He was a wolf in the skin of my husband, waiting for the right moment to bite me.

But, one thing that he didn't know was that I had seen through him. I knew what kind of a person he was, and the manuscript he had been planning to steal from me, still belonged to me.

And, I was not going to let him manipulate me again with his sweet lies. I was never going to become the fool I had been for years.

I went back to my study room, tore the last pages of the manuscript and wrote a different climax to my story. After finishing my work, I wrote a letter to Denver.

‘You wanted my manuscript, Denver. Here it is.’

The next week, I was working for Denver's company, taking care of the necessary documents required for his latest project when one of my colleagues rushed in, saying, “Mrs. Beckham, come with me.”

“What happened, Lydia?” I asked.

“Just come with me,” she said before dragging me to the common hall where everyone had already gathered.

“Mrs. Beckham, you are so lucky,” someone said.

“Yes, you are so lucky to have a husband like Mr. Beckham. He loves you so much.” Another one added.

I narrowed my eyes, trying to process what had been going on. Meanwhile, my gaze fell on the projector, showing the live telecast of Denver's interview with the press.

Reporters were asking him about the launch of his newest technology. In his response he replied,

“Tomorrow is my wife's birthday. So, I’m going to launch my latest technology tomorrow to dedicate it to my wife.”

His response got a lot of appreciation from the reporters as well as his employees. They all envied me for the love my husband was presenting before the media.

But, only I knew it was only the foged affection that he had been manipulating me with all these years. His words, his actions, were all lies just to hide his evil intentions behind them.

“If the launch is tomorrow, then why did you call all the reporters today, Mr. Beckham? And, what is Mr. Brad doing here?”

“Isn't he the Senior Editor of Dreamy land publishing company? A very renowned company who publishes Little Fox’s story?” another reporter asked.

“It's because we are going to reveal the identity of Little Fox to all of you.” Mr. Brad said, his words causing turmoil all over the world.

Everyone was curious to know the person who had been entertaining them with their words for years.

“Is it really happening? The world wants to know our Little Fox personally.”

“Yes, where is she? We all want to meet her and take the interview.”

“It will be the best gift to her fans. They are all waiting for her recent book. Her showing up on the day of book signing would be amazing.”

The reporters began asking questions over and over. Brad laughed before he replied, “Have a little patience, you all. This meeting was only to announce the partnership between Mr. Beckham and my company and the news of Little Fox personally showing up on the day of book signing for her fans.”

“So, be prepared everyone. If you want to meet your favourite author, don't forget to buy a ticket.”

With that the press conference came to an end. Soon enough my phone rang. It was Denver. After I picked up the call, his excited voice sounded,

“Mia, I have a surprise for you. Can you come and meet me at Sunrise hotel with your finished manuscript? You were going to finish it today, right?”

I stared at the manuscript and the letter I wrote, placed inside my bag before I replied, “Yes, It's finished.”

“Come and see me then,” he said in haste before he hung up.

I racked my mind and thought maybe just maybe I was wrong about him. Maybe he was playing tricks with Cindy and was actually going to announce me as Little Fox.

After all, the first thing he promised me after we got married was that he would let Cindy pay for her crimes.

I took a long breath before I decided to give him one more chance. I took the manuscript with me and arrived at the location he asked me to.

But, before I could reach his room, my legs paused as I heard a familiar voice coming out from his room, a voice I hated the most in my life.

It was Cindy!

“How long are you going to play with that fool, Mia?” She asked, her voice filled with arrogance.

“Just today. After she hands over her manuscript to me, she is of no use.” He replied, his voice laced with honesty.

“You called her here, even when I’m with you. Don't you think she will be dubious?” She asked, “What if she refuses to hand her manuscript to us?”

“Don't worry, the receptionist will notify me once she arrives at her counter.” He replied casually.

He didn't know that I didn't go to ask about him to the receptionist. Instead, I tracked his location with my phone.

“And, even if she refuses to give the documents, I have plenty more ways to force her.” He added.

The room was then filled with the voices of their moans and groans, making it unbearable for me to stand any longer.

A lump was formed in my throat as I turned back. He broke the smallest bit of trust that had brought me to see him. The file of manuscript in my hands was mocking me as I wiped the corner of my eyes.

I had lost everything. The man I loved, the passion for writing that I had hardly regained, I lost everything once again. What was the need of going on like this?

Just then my phone rang. It was a call from Denver's research centre. I picked the call and the voice sounded desperate from the other end,

“Mrs. Beckham, Mr. Beckham is not picking up the call. Is he with you?”

I smiled in sarcasm before I asked, “What's the matter?”

“The girl who was going to be the lab rat for Mr. Denver’s freezing machine, just bailed out. The launch is tomorrow and we don't know what to do.” He spoke in haste.

I stared at my manuscript, recalled what Denver said to Cindy. In that split second, I realized I had no reason to continue living.

Taking a long breath, I replied, “It's okay. Carry on with the plan. You will find the girl for your test.”

I had made up my mind. There was nothing that I could do. Had I confronted Denver and Cindy, they had plenty of their men to shut me down just as he mentioned.

And, If I tried to run away with the manuscript, Denver would turn the world upside down just to steal my work for his first love. Why go to that extent only to lose in the end?

It was better to stick to the plan I had made after discovering my husband's deception.

I walked downstairs and made my way to the receptionist of the hotel. I handed her the manuscript and the letter I prepared for Denver, and then I left for Denver's office to do one last thing.

Denver remained entangled with Cindy for one more hour in the room he had invited me. After not receiving any message from the receptionist, he put his clothes on and decided to leave the hotel.

In haste, he walked up to the receptionist and asked, “Did Mia come looking for me?”

“Yes, sir! Mrs. Beckham arrived here an hour ago.” she replied. Denver narrowed his eyes. A flicker of fear passed through his eyes as he asked,

“Why did you not notify me then? And, if she arrived an hour ago, why didn't she come to meet me? Don't tell me you told her the room no I was staying in and she watched me with Cindy?” He blurted out, his voice desperate but filled with rage.

“Calm down, Mr. Beckham! Mrs. Beckham did come here but she didn't want to meet you. She handed me these files and left.” The receptionist replied.

“She left without meeting me?” He whispered, his voice filled with surprise, and a feeling of being unwanted. He didn't like the kind of emotion he was feeling right now.

“Why are you looking upset, Denver?” Cindy joined the conversation, her tone filled with feign innocence, “Did you want to see her? Did I not make you happy tonight that you are missing your wife?”

Denver’s expression immediately softened as he turned to look at Cindy, “It's not like that, Cindy. You know I can't move my eyes off to anyone else when you are before my eyes.”

“I was just wondering what could make Mia not showing up in front of me. Mia has never ignored me before.” He added.

“Why are you even concerned about that? She has clearly handed over the manuscript. We own her book and her identity. Isn't that great?” she asked excitedly.

“You are right, Cindy.” He replied, “As long as we have her works.”

***

That night, Denver arrived home earlier than his usual time. He was desperate to find his wife. He was having some bad feelings about her.

Mia loved surprises, and whenever he asked her out, she would show up way before the time. Then, what could have gone wrong that she didn't show up before him despite coming to the hotel?

“Mia…?” He called as soon as he unlocked the main door with his card. But there was no one to answer him.

He immediately rushed to his bedroom, but the empty walls were mocking him.

I was not where to be found.

He then reached out to his phone and dialed my number, only to receive a mechanical voice from the other end, telling him the line was busy.

His heart skipped a beat. Mia didn't arrive at the hotel, nor was she at home. Where was She?

He then called his company to ask the guards when I left the office. They told him the exact time when I left, which increased his worry towards me.

In the end, he decided to go to the police station and seek their help to find me.

He had just walked out of his apartment when his phone rang. He immediately picked up the call.

It was Cindy.

“Denver, I’m so scared. Can you please come and stay with me tonight?” she asked, her voice laced with innocence.

“What happened?” He asked, his voice not so gentle.

“It's Mia, Denver. It's her again.” She cried from the other end, “She still has some blind followers who still believe I stole her book. They never stop cursing me in their comments. One of them just cursed me that today I would die in my sleep. Do you see how vicious her followers are?”

“First of all they are not her blind followers, Cindy, they are loyal to her idol. And, if one could die because of someone's curse, Mia would have died a hundred times till now.” He blurted out, his voice laced with irritation.

It was visible with his tone that he was finding Cindy's call for help an unwanted nagging.

Cindy was taken aback with his tone. He had never talked to her like that before. But, he did tonight. Not only did he talk rudely with her, but also took Mia’s stand.

“Denver…” she whispered, “You are going to name me ‘little wolf’ tomorrow, right?”

“Let's talk tomorrow, Cindy.”

After throwing out these words, Denver hung up, leaving Cindy in horror.