Chapter 1 He's Probably Too Tied Up

"Lena, your husband still hasn't answered your calls, has he?" Maia Gordon asked with concern.

Lena Dixon detected her colleague's unspoken pity.

Each unanswered ring seemed to hollow her out further, dragging Lena deeper into the bleak realization.

Just two days ago, Lena had visited an art gallery to oversee preparations for her husband's upcoming exhibit. Without warning, the ceiling had collapsed, leaving her trapped beneath debris for agonizing hours, desperately calling her husband Theo Haynes without response.

When rescuers finally freed her, she was drenched in her own blood, her shoulder shattered so gravely it required metal screws to hold it together. Even now, every beat of her heart echoed painfully in her wounded shoulder.

Lena stared at the dark screen of her phone. Her face looked ghostly pale, fingers trembling uncontrollably from lingering trauma.

But the deepest pain wasn't from her physical injuries. It came from the icy realization stabbing through her heart.

Whenever Lena desperately needed Theo, he always vanished.

Witnessing Lena's quiet suffering, Maia couldn't hold back her frustration. "What's wrong with your husband, anyway? You could've died, yet he can't even call you back after two days? You're getting discharged, and he is yet to show up. You might as well be single at this rate."

With quiet sarcasm, Lena murmured, "He's probably too tied up."

Theo always used work as a shield-too occupied, always unavailable.

Three years spent married to him, and all Lena had gained was an empty title, one she clung to foolishly.

Maia's tone sharpened. "Too tied up to even answer his phone? That's not busy-that's cold-hearted."

Her words sliced Lena deeply, cutting through the last remnants of her illusions.

Lena swallowed her bitterness, forcing a smile far more painful than tears.

Suddenly, Maia gasped, her eyes widening at something on her phone. "Oh, wow. Lena, look-seems like the ever-elusive Mr. Haynes took an international flight just to attend his girl's art exhibition. Dropped everything just for her."

A chill clawed up Lena's spine.

Maia handed over the phone, openly scoffing, "Take a good look at Mr. Haynes. Compare him with your husband. You nearly died, and your husband didn't even care to answer a single call. Lena, why are you still holding onto someone like him?"

Lena stared wordlessly, frozen by the screen's glow.

Maia had no idea-the Mr. Haynes she spoke of was Lena's cold-hearted husband.

At that instant, Lena's carefully crafted delusions shattered. Theo's supposed business trip was a total lie. He had traveled halfway around the world for his first love, Violet Ford.

Back then, Theo and Violet had seemed destined to marry.

Then a car crash robbed Theo of his sight, and Violet fled abroad, leaving him at his most vulnerable.

During his darkest days, Lena remained faithfully beside him. Everyone mocked her loyalty, but she ignored their ridicule, believing her devotion would someday earn her Theo's genuine affection.

After regaining his eyesight, Theo had offered her nothing but a marriage of convenience.

As she looked now at the warm affection in Theo's eyes as he greeted Violet at the airport, Lena's stomach twisted painfully.

"Romance Confirmed? Haynes Group CEO Welcomes Artist Vee at Airport."

Reading the headline destroyed Lena's last fragment of hope.

Artist Vee, whose exhibition Lena had painstakingly organized, was none other than Violet herself.

All along, Lena had organized an event for Theo's true love, and it nearly cost her her own life.

While she had been trapped and scared under the rubble, Theo had met Violet, reigniting their lost flame. Lena felt as if the knife in her heart had twisted deeper.

Oblivious to Lena's reaction, Maia commented on the photo. "Look at his expression-so gentle and warm. I heard they were college sweethearts. Maybe they've finally found their way back together. They really look perfect together."

Quietly and bitterly, Lena laughed. "You're right-they're perfect."

She handed back Maia's phone without another word, then quietly left, heading home.

...

Theo didn't return home until long past midnight.

As soon as he stepped inside, an unfamiliar irritation rose within him.

Usually, Lena left a welcoming glow, no matter how late he returned. But darkness now blanketed the house, creating a sense of emptiness.

Bothered by the unusual atmosphere, Theo climbed the stairs and entered the master bedroom.

In the dim moonlight, Lena's small frame lay curled beneath the sheets.

The instant the door creaked, Lena opened her eyes, wide awake.

An unfamiliar scent filled the air, sweetly pungent perfume she didn't recognize. She guessed it was Violet's.

A burning pain surged through Lena's chest. Thankfully, darkness masked her distress.

Theo lay down beside her. Quietly, Lena reached for him, slipping her hand beneath his shirt.

She traced his warm abdomen, moving downward, lower still.

Theo's breath hitched sharply. Abruptly, he grabbed her wrist, voice tight with tension. "What are you trying to do, Lena?"