Chapter 3 Secrets In The Shadows

Clarissa

There's a particular thrill in betrayal-especially when the person you're betraying is standing right beside you, completely oblivious.

That's how I felt every time I watched Aaron walk into his office, still hopeful that this marriage was the start of something real. Every tender look, every soft touch-it all made it sweeter knowing that, behind his back, I was the one pulling the strings that would ruin him.

And today, I was about to set the first real crack in his perfect world.

Sitting at my vanity, I adjusted the diamond earrings Aaron had given me the night before. Lavish gifts, sweet words, all in the name of winning me back. If only he knew. I caught my reflection in the mirror-poised, calm, cold. This was no longer about love; it was about revenge, and I intended to enjoy every moment of it.

I rose and moved toward his office, where Aaron was on the phone, his voice low and serious. I paused outside the door, listening.

"It'll be fine, Robert," Aaron said. "I've got everything under control. The deal with the clients is still on track."

I smirked. *Not for long.*

I walked in, feigning innocence, and Aaron glanced up at me, giving me that soft, familiar smile. The smile that once had the power to melt my heart. Now, it only solidified my resolve.

"I'll call you back," Aaron said into the phone, hanging up as I approached. "Hey, I didn't know you were up already."

I leaned against the edge of his desk, crossing my arms as I looked down at him. "Couldn't sleep," I replied casually. "Too much on my mind."

He gave me a sympathetic look. "I know things have been overwhelming since the wedding, but I'm doing everything I can to make this work, Clarissa."

I didn't respond. Instead, I reached out and lightly traced my fingers along the papers scattered across his desk. Financial reports, contracts, documents that represented everything he had worked for-everything I planned to destroy. I lifted one of the reports, flipping through it with mild interest, even though I already knew every detail of his latest deal.

"What's this?" I asked, keeping my tone light.

Aaron glanced at the paper. "Just some documents for an acquisition we're working on. Nothing too exciting."

I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be impressed. "Seems like you've got a lot on your plate."

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, but that's the nature of the business. Everything is fast-paced. One wrong move and everything can come crashing down."

One wrong move, I thought, letting my lips curve into a slight smile. "You're handling it well."

He smiled at the compliment, completely unaware that the woman standing before him was the one about to make that wrong move happen.

I left the office shortly after, retreating to my own space upstairs. It was time to put the next phase of my plan into action.

Pulling out my laptop, I opened an encrypted email server I had set up weeks ago, long before the wedding. I had already made contact with some of Aaron's competitors-men who were eager for the opportunity to exploit his business's vulnerabilities. All they needed was the right information, and I was more than happy to provide it.

I quickly typed out an email, attaching sensitive files I had downloaded from Aaron's computer the night before. It was the blueprint of a major acquisition deal Aaron was working on-a deal that would give his company a significant advantage over his competitors.

Not anymore.

With a few clicks, the information was sent. I sat back, a sense of satisfaction washing over me. This was only the beginning. Aaron had taken everything from me-my family's legacy, my father's life. Now, I was taking everything from him, piece by piece.

I closed the laptop and rose from my seat, feeling the cool steel of vengeance settle over me like armor.

*

Later that evening, Aaron was pacing in his office, his phone pressed to his ear as I watched from the doorway. He hadn't noticed me yet, which gave me the perfect opportunity to observe.

"I don't understand what happened," he said into the phone, his voice tense. "The deal was practically sealed. Now they're pulling out?"

I fought the urge to smile. The cracks were already starting to show.

Aaron ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every movement. "No, I don't think it's a coincidence. It's too sudden."

He paused, listening to whoever was on the other end of the call. "I'll look into it," he finally said. "Let's not jump to conclusions just yet."

When he hung up, he glanced up and finally saw me standing there. For a moment, I saw the exhaustion in his eyes-an exhaustion that, not too long ago, might have stirred some sympathy in me. But not now.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, stepping into the room as if I had no idea what had just transpired.

Aaron sighed, leaning against the desk. "Something's not right. I was working on a deal, a big one, and now the other company's backing out without warning."

"That sounds frustrating," I said, playing the concerned wife, even though inside, I was relishing his confusion. "Do you think someone's working against you?"

Aaron shook his head, clearly troubled. "I don't know. It's possible. I'm going to have to look into it."

I nodded, offering him what I hoped looked like a supportive smile. "I'm sure you'll figure it out."

Aaron gave me a small, grateful smile, but the worry didn't leave his eyes. I watched as he picked up his phone again, dialing another number. "I need to make a few calls," he said. "I'll be up later."

I left him to his frantic calls, slipping away to my own space once more. As I walked down the hall, the satisfaction of knowing I was the one orchestrating his downfall grew stronger. He had no idea how deep I had already embedded myself into his business.

*

A few days passed, and I continued to watch from the shadows as Aaron's frustration grew. More deals were falling apart, more meetings canceled. The stress was starting to show on his face-dark circles under his eyes, a constant furrow in his brow. He was unraveling, and I was the one pulling the thread.

One afternoon, Aaron came to me, his expression troubled. "I talked to Robert today," he said, his voice low. "He thinks something bigger is going on. Something that might be connected to my past."

I raised an eyebrow, feigning confusion. "Your past? What does that have to do with your business?"

Aaron hesitated, glancing away. "It's complicated."

I crossed my arms, watching him carefully. "You can tell me, Aaron. I'm your wife, after all."

He looked at me for a long moment, as if debating whether to open up. But before he could say anything, his phone buzzed with a message. He glanced at the screen, frowning. "I need to take this."

I nodded, but inside, I was burning with curiosity. What was he hiding?

Later that evening, I overheard him on the phone again, this time with Robert. I pressed myself against the wall outside his office, straining to hear the conversation.

"If Clarissa finds out," Robert's voice crackled through the speaker, "she'll leave you for good."

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. What secret was Aaron hiding? And how was it connected to me?