Chapter 3

Pamela came home late.

She flipped on the light, saw me sitting on the couch, and froze for a second.

Then she dug out an ice pack and pressed it to the side of my face, swollen high.

Her lips pressed thin.

"You shouldn't have treated a Simmons Corp employee like that."

I laughed, cold.

"Employee? Or your bedmate?"

Her pupils shrank.

"You know."

"I do. I also know you kiss that man, sleep with him. It's filthy. It makes me sick."

Pamela's eyes slowly went cold.

"We've never done anything. Think what you want about me, but you don't get to smear Chad."

"You threw Chad out in front of all those people. Did you ever think about how he felt?"

Her chest rose and fell, hard.

Every look she gave me was blame and reproach.

Something in my chest clenched tight.

"And what about me?"

"What?"

"You hit me in front of all those people. Did you ever think about how I felt?"

"Do you still remember what you once promised me?"

Pamela pressed her lips together.

Clearly, she remembered too—after we made it official, she had stood in front of my parents and promised:

"Mr. and Mrs. James, for the first half of his life, you never let him suffer a single hardship. For the second half, I won't let him suffer either."

I gave a bitter little laugh.

"I'm the only son of the chairman of the Pacific Chamber of Commerce. You know how proud I am."

"But in front of all those people, you shattered my dignity and my pride."

Pamela was silent for a long moment before she said, low:

"I'm sorry."

"But please, don't go after Chad anymore."

She grabbed her coat and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?"

"To stay at the office."

I couldn't help the cold laugh.

We rarely slept in the same bed.

Pamela said she slept badly, wasn't used to having someone beside her, was more comfortable sleeping alone at the office.

I'd always believed that.

Until Chad's text tore the whole thing open.

"Not going to sleep with Chad?"

My voice was flat.

Her step stalled, and her voice shot up.

"No! There is nothing between us!"

I couldn't be bothered to argue. I changed the subject.

"Come to the hospital with me tomorrow. To see Grandpa."

"I have a business trip tomorrow."

I looked at Pamela, long and steady.

"You have to go."

"Grandpa wants to see you."

She pinched the bridge of her nose, said nothing, and turned and walked out.

I stared at her back and slowly closed my eyes.

The file said Chad's birthday was tomorrow.

Pamela had already chartered a whole yacht for him.

She'd even booked a fireworks crew along the Hudson River.

Business trip. All of it just an excuse.

Grandpa was nearly at the end, running on fumes. He'd been in care all this time, and only now was well enough to see anyone.

His greatest wish was to lay eyes on his grandson's wife.

But the next day, I had the flowers and the gift ready, and still no Pamela came.

I gritted my teeth and decided to go on my own.

When I walked into the ward, Grandpa's eyes lit up.

He looked past me, behind me.

"Kid, where's Pamela?"

"She'll be here soon."

I texted Pamela.

"Just come see him once. Once is enough."

"I promise I won't go after Chad again."

The reply came: "Fine. Half an hour."

Half an hour later, Pamela arrived.

Except behind her, Chad was there too.