That night, I couldn't fall asleep. And, nor did Kevin appear in my room. I could hear the muffled voices coming from the next room, but I didn't catch them red-handed. I was going to take my time, and hurt them where they hurt the most.

They played with my feelings. And, I was going to take away the things they loved, and expose them.

The next day as I woke up, I saw Kevin beside me and disgust crawled all over my skin.

I immediately rushed up, and went out. I didn't bother making breakfast, and arranged things for Kevin like I always did.

Instead, I went to grandpa. Kevin always hated it when I approached grandpa. That's why, I didn't get much close to him. I didn't understand why, but after yesterday, I know now. It was all because he was afraid that grandpa was going to make me his heir instead.

The relationship between our families has always been great. And, grandpa always saw me as his own granddaughter even before I married Kevin. Some even joked that the company was going to be given to me instead of his two grandsons, and that I was their biggest competitor.

But it changed after I married Kevin. Everyone believed that Kevin would get the company instead of his older brother. But Kevin felt different. He always thought that the company would be given to Kaden instead.

I didn't know much of Kaden since he had always been abroad. But I heard his name a lot of times — a business genius, who started his own business when he was a teen, and now one of the biggest companies.

Kevin also only returned from abroad five years ago, to become the next chairman.

“Miss Theia?” The guards said in surprise before he signed me that he was going to let grandpa know that I was here.

I shook my head. “There's no need. I'll give him a surprise.” I said, smiling.

Everyone, including the employees here all knew sign language. Grandpa made it mandatory to learn it after what happened to me. Just to make me feel included, and making sure that I didn’t feel different from anyone else. He even went to teaching lessons with Kevin.

I looked at the mansion and frowned. It had been a long while since I came to the old mansion. Because of Kevin, I always declined to come here.

I was walking forward but I stopped to ask, “Can you take me to the kitchen? It had been a long time so I forgot where the kitchen was.”

The guard nodded, and took me to the kitchen. Grandpa always liked to eat my porridge. It was something grandma taught me when she was still alive, and grandpa always liked to have my porridge because of it. He told me that it felt like it was made by grandma herself. But I couldn't make it for him for a long time. It was all because I thought of Kevin.

But now I realised, Kevin was just jealous, and insecure.

I forced a smile, taking a deep breath as I went out of the kitchen.

Just as I was about to go to grandpa's room, someone bumped into me.

“Argh…” I cried out as a drop of the warm porridge fell on my hands.

“Who are you? I have never seen you here.” I flinched, hearing an unfamiliar voice when I looked up.

My lips parted as I looked at him. His eyes were dark, and his chestnut curly hair dropped to his shoulders. I had never seen him. Was this an employee? But it didn't seem like that.

He took a deep breath, and signed. “Oh, it's you.”

My lips parted. “Do you know me?”

Instead of answering, he simply chuckled.

Frowning, I ignored him and went to grandpa's room while he continued to follow me.

Why was he even following me?

My eyebrows furrowed but it soon calmed down when grandpa excitedly called me.

“Are you fine?”

I nodded as he continued to sign, asking me questions repeatedly, unable to hold his excitement back.

Then he turned towards the other man, asking him to sit. “You don't know him, do you? This is Kaden. He just came back from abroad a week back. Others still don't know of this.”

My lips parted. This was Kaden. Kaden Dawson, the man that Kevin had always been wary of.

My lips curled up with this news. This was something Kevin would love to hear. I couldn't help but guess his reaction.

I let out a chuckle when grandpa interrupted again, “Well, this was the man I thought you're going to marry. Both of you even had a marriage contract when you were young. But then you fell for Kevin.”

My cheeks immediately turned red, and hot. I heard of this before when I was going to marry Kevin back then, but I almost forgot about this if he didn't remind me of it.

I let out a chuckle. “How can that count? Those were just some jokes.”

Grandpa smiled, “Now, I just want to see my great-grandchildren.”

I chuckled, my heart aching. It felt bad to hide it from grandpa. He was so happy, but he didn't even know why I was here.

I took a deep breath, hugging his arm. “Grandpa, can I work in the company?”

Grandpa immediately agreed, and held my hands. “You can start from tomorrow. That's good. Kaden was also going to start working at the company tomorrow. He can now guide you. Work as his secretary, okay? He can teach you a lot of things.”

My lips parted, and I instantly agreed. Start learning from the business genius himself? That was a good opportunity.

But I wanted to approach him because of another reason. His return, this time, must be because of the company. And, that was a good opportunity for me. I was going to make Kevin lose everything that he loves. His position, his reputation, his company.

As I left the mansion I felt my phone buzzing for a while and when finally I pulled my phone out as soon as I stepped into of the car, I opened it to see flood of Kevin’s messages. His tone was the same as always, arrogant and entitled.

Where are you?

Why haven’t you done anything for me today?

It’s your fault I’m late; you didn't prepare breakfast for me, neither did you prepare my clothes.

Instantly I got pissed off, he must think I was really a fool that he could use and later dump me.

I laughed to myself as I shook my head, I could only I wonder how I’d ever fallen for someone like him. Once, I’d believed in his charm, his promises but now? Now all I could see was the selfish and scheming man he truly was.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips. I didn’t bother replying. Deciding to leave him to his worries. I wasn't going to bother myself about his needs anymore.

As for me, I had some plans of my own for him and Stella. By the way, I still needed to gather every shred of proof that would expose him and the truth about us. So I returned home quickly, when I get home there was no sigh of Kevin.

I made myself comfortable in the living with a tray of fruits in fronf of me which I ate in silence. After just a little while I heard the sound of a car pulling up into the driveway.

I peeked outside, It was Kevin, he came home earlier than usual. “Why was he back so early?” I muttered to myself.

Kevin walked in through the door and the moment he looked at me, His face darkened.

“You're back early,” I said looking looking up at him which made him frown deepen.

“Is there a problem?” I asked like I didn't know what he was pissed off about. For now I would act like I did not know what was going on and would continue with his games.

I didn't realize this before but it was harder pretending in front of Kevin. Just looking at him disgusted me.

“Why didn’t you reply to my messages?” He finally asked, signing.

I shrugged my shoulders as I looked up from the couch, my expression as blank as I could manage. “I wasn’t feeling well,” I said flatly.

“Is that why you didn't check your phone?” He questioned me.

“I’m really tired and didn’t check my phone.” I replied simply.

His expressions faltered for a moment. “Oh… I see,” he muttered before switching his one to something softer.

He observed me closely, “Hope you're fine?” Kevin asked, seeming caring.

“He is acting caring now?” I jeered in my head. His ability to fake all this was really amusing to me.

Now that I knew what he was up to, it was not easy keeping up with the game. I must commend him for that. He was good at it, same with Stella.

I nodded my head, “Yes I think I would be alright, I was just taking a rest and nothing much.”

“Alright then,” Kevin said as he picked up an apple from the fruit tray.

“I'll head to my room now,” Kevin signed and somehow it relieved me.

But as he was about to walk way when he stopped in tracks. “Then, where did you go this morning?” He questioned raising his eyebrows.

I met his gaze, I didn’t plan to hold back or hide this time. “I went to your grandfather’s house.”

I observed him well and i noticed his sharp and immediate reaction.

“You went to grandpa's house?” His brows furrowed, and there was an unmistakable edge of disdain in his tone. “Why would you go there?” He questioned, signing.

I tilted my head, “You don’t like me visiting your grandfather?” I asked my voice calm.

He shrugged his shoulders like it was nothing. “No, it’s not that. I just… wasn’t expecting it.”

“Is there a problem if I go visit him I asked?” Faking a confused look on my face.

He shook his head and let out a light awkward laugh, “Not at all, but you should have asked me before you did so.” He signed.

“Well,” I said, standing up and looking him in the eye, “I had a reason.”

His brow furrowed. “What reason?”

I took a deep breath and dropped the bombshell. “I’m joining the company.”

Kevin’s eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms, his gaze becoming sharp. “Why do you want to work at the company? Aren’t you happy at home?”

“I'm but I think I need some challenge,” I shrugged my shoulders as I looked into Kevin's eyes.

Kevin took a step forward, stretched his hands and touched my shoulders. Instantly my body reacted, I jerked back as I felt his hands.

Kevin noticed my movement and his face lit in surprise, “Did I startle you?” He asked to which I shook my head.

“No you didn't,” Although I barely suppressed the wave of disgust that rolled over me when he reached out to touch me.

His touch, once comforting, now felt repulsive. I took a step back, carefully masking my disgust with a small, wistful smile. “I’ve been feeling lonely,” I said softly. “You’re always at work, and even Stella is there. I thought maybe I could be part of it too.”

He frowned, clearly taken aback. “Working in the company isn’t easy and isn't no child's play.”

I paused for a moment before calmly reminding him, “I was a director in the company, Kevin. Or have you forgotten that?”

Hearing that Kevin's face flushed red, and I could see the frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

He was left speechless, but of course he couldn't forget that. He had no response, no defense. He stood there utterly speechless and watching his insecurities rise to the surface sent a quiet thrill through me.

This man — this man for whom I gave up everything — had the audacity to betray me. I’d left my promising career, abandoned my position as the next chairperson, just to be by his side. To take care of him. To support him and how had he repaid me? By stabbing me in the back.

I forced those bitter thoughts aside, plastering a sweet smile on my face as I walked towards him. I realized something, If I act distant from Kevin then sooner or later he would catch up with the fact that I might have found out something.

Arriving in front of Kevin, I loosened his tie with practiced ease and slid his coat off his shoulders. My smile was sweet, my tone light. “You’re going to be very happy tomorrow,” I murmured, carefully removing his coat as I locked eyes with him.

Kevin eyebrows pressed together, tilting his head towards me. “What do you mean? What’s this about?”

I brushed my fingers over his collar, faking affection. “It’s a surprise,” I said teasingly. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Kevin’s expression shifted, his curiosity quickly giving way to something more. His hands moved toward me as he leaned in, attempting to close the distance between us.

My heart raced, I knew what he wanted to do. I took in a deep breath as I felt his hand grabbing my waist, he wanted to get intimate.

If this was before then both of us will get into a wild intimate moment. Now I know his true colors, obviously I won't let him do that.

I placed a gentle hand on his chest, stopping him in his tracks. “Not tonight,” I said softly, keeping my smile intact.

He was already leaning over to kiss me on the lips when I stopped him. “Why not?” He let go of my waist and signed, disappointed.

I shook my head, “Nothing, just not today.” I replied, trying to walk away from him.

“But I want this,” He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him. His eyes shining with lust.

Inside me I looked at him with disgust, he was as well cheating on me with Stella all this years and had kept up with this fake act all along, deceiving me?

I paused for a moment which made his lips curl into his lips, he must think he had me already.

I shook my head and gently pushed him off to his surprise. “You should freshen up. You’ve had a long day and besides you have a busy day tomorrow.”

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded and turned toward the bathroom.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, the masked expense slipped from my face. My expression changed and my face was red sigh anger.

I stood there in anger for a moment and then suddenly a mocking laugh escaped my lips, low and bitter. “Enjoy your rest, Kevin,” I muttered under my breath, my smirk growing. “You’re going to need it for what’s coming.”

My gaze drifted toward the window as my thoughts turned to tomorrow. I could already picture the look on his face when he saw Kaden in the company.

It was a scene I’d been waiting for, and I wasn’t going to miss a second of it.