"I took it off," Noelle said.

"But I made that ring myself. It's supposed to represent our love. Why would you take it off?" Shawn asked.

She said indifferently, "I've gained weight, so it doesn't fit anymore."

Only then did Shawn's expression soften. He smiled and said, "Then, I'll take it to the jeweler tomorrow to have it resized."

"We'll see."

"Oh, right. What's that on the table?" he asked, pointing at the jewelry box, looking surprised. "Is it a present for me?"

Noelle nodded. "Yeah."

Inside the box was a small piece of silver—it was the wedding ring she'd had melted.

Shawn's face lit up. "What's the occasion? Why did you suddenly get me a gift?"

His words made Noelle's heart freeze over. "It's… our wedding anniversary."

Shawn's expression immediately fell. Then, he said almost sycophantically, "I'm sorry, Elle. I've been so busy with work that it slipped my mind. How about we go out for dinner? I'll make a reservation now…"

"No, it's fine. I've already eaten."

"Then, should I take you out for a spin so we can enjoy the night scenery? Let's take a walk by the river."

"I'm tired. I want to go to bed."

Shawn wrapped his arms around her from behind, his tone almost pleading. "Come on, Elle. It's been ages since we've taken a walk together. I feel like you've been quite cold to me recently. If this keeps up, I'm going to start thinking that your feelings for me have changed."

Was she the one whose feelings had changed? He was the one who'd fallen for someone else first. His heart was the one that had left her.

Well, it didn't matter. She would take back her heart, mind, and soul for good.

Noelle and Shawn left the house. As he drove, he kept telling her about recent events. She sat in the front passenger seat, staring out the window without listening to him.

Her mind was elsewhere—on the pair of pantyhose she'd found wedged between the seat and console when buckling her seatbelt earlier. Someone had clearly worn them before.

She'd stuffed them back where she'd found them and acted like nothing had happened. Since she'd already decided to leave, she didn't want to waste her time and breath arguing with Shawn.

Useless lies were the only things she would get out of him, anyway. If she couldn't get the truth, she wouldn't bother asking for it.

When they arrived at the riverside, Shawn got out of the car and opened the door for her. "We're here, Elle."

Noelle didn't want to be there, but this river was a spot they'd frequented at the beginning of their relationship. This was where things had started and where she wanted them to end.

"Hey, isn't that Mr. Pitt? The one we saw on TV today. He's the one who made his wedding ring!"

"I remember him! He's the best man in the world!"

"Look at how he has one hand on the door frame so his wife doesn't bump her head on it. He's so considerate!"

Just then, Shawn's phone rang. He said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Elle. Give me a minute, okay? It's about work. I'll be back after answering this."

"Go ahead."

"Wait for me here, okay? Don't go anywhere."

The onlookers gasped at that.

"Mr. Pitt treats his wife like she's still a young woman. Is he afraid of her going missing?"

"God, he's such a doting husband!"

Noelle's face remained stoic throughout the whole thing. She stood by the river and watched as the lights reflected off its surface.

Shawn hadn't managed to keep the smile off his face when he saw the caller ID. It had been tender, sweet, and even a little teasing. How could the call have been about work?

She couldn't be bothered to call him out on it, though.

It was a little chilly by the river, so she got back inside the car to wait for Shawn. The multimedia panel was logged into Shawn's social media, and it was synced to his phone. It showed his WhatsApp, and one conversation was ongoing.

He was talking to someone whose nickname was "Insatiable Jess".

Shawn: "Do you miss me already?"

Insatiable Jess: "I feel a little empty without you by my side tonight."

Shawn: "Didn't I already do you seven times today? Isn't that enough to sate you?"

Insatiable Jess: "Not even close. I still want you."

Shawn: "Got it. I'll satisfy you in the office tomorrow."

Insatiable Jess: "Heh. I'll wear black pantyhose tomorrow, then."

The rest of the conversation was filled with dirty talk and lewd words. Noelle felt her blood run cold as she read their messages and turned off the screen. She trembled but didn't know whether it was due to the cold or her anger. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms.

Shawn returned about 15 minutes later. When he got into the car, he heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank God you're okay. I didn't see you after hanging up and got the fright of my life."

Noelle didn't want to see anymore of his act. She looked down at her hands. "I was cold, so I got back into the car."

"Oh, okay. You can do whatever you want, wherever you want."

Her head suddenly shot up. After reading Shawn and Jessica's texts, she suddenly had a different understanding of those words.

She could do whatever she wanted, wherever she wanted…

Could it be they'd done the deed in the front passenger seat?

The idea disgusted her and a wave of nausea crashed over her. She pushed the door open and puked.

Shawn panicked, and he ran to Noelle's side of the car. "What's wrong, Elle?" he asked frantically.

She kept puking, the nausea refusing to subside for the longest time.

She couldn't understand. Why had Shawn cheated when he loved her so? Wasn't he afraid of her finding out? Or did he think he was perfectly capable of keeping this from her forever because he'd done such a good job of hiding it?

Eventually, the cool night breeze helped to clear her mind.

"Are you okay, Elle?" Shawn asked. "I'll take you to the hospital now if you're feeling ill."

"No, it's okay. It's probably something I ate for dinner."

"Come to my office tomorrow, then. We can have dinner together."

Noelle sneered inwardly. Did he want her to go to his office and watch him and Jessica get it on?

Suddenly, she wanted to be nasty. "Sure. I'll go to work with you tomorrow and stay by your side as you work. Then, we can have dinner together before going home."

Shawn didn't expect her to agree at all. His expression turned a little stiff. "I've been quite busy lately, though. I might not be able to be by your side the whole day."

"That's okay. You can do what you need. I'll wait for you in your office."

"…Alright, then."

When they got home, Shawn offered to draw Noelle a bath. He went to the bathroom but shut the door, which wasn't like him.

Meanwhile, Noelle went downstairs and got back inside the car. After starting it, she saw Shawn's conversation with Jessica on the screen again.

Shawn: "Change of plans. We can't do it in the office tomorrow."

Insatiable Jess: "What? I'm so disappointed."

Shawn: "Don't be, babe. I'll take you to the rooftop. It'll be more exciting there."

Insatiable Jess: "You're the best, babe."

Shawn came out of the bathroom just as Noelle returned to the bedroom. "Your bath is ready, Elle. Go ahead and take a soak."

"No, it's okay. I just want to go to bed."

"Alright, then. You should rest if you're tired," he said. "Can I open the gift you left on the table now?"

Noelle shook her head. "Open it in a week."

"Why do I have to wait for a week? I want to see what you've prepared for me right now."

"Because…" Because she would leave him forever in a week. "Because… it'll only be meaningful if you open it in a week."

Shawn kissed her forehead. "Okay, then. I'll do as you say."

…

The following morning, Shawn's phone started ringing when it was just past 6:00 am. He rejected the call and turned over to hold Noelle. "Ignore it. Let's sleep for a while longer."

But his phone started ringing again. He frowned. "It's not time for work yet, but they're already urging me to head to the office. One of these days, I'll fire these useless people."

He rejected the call again.

When it rang a third time, Shawn huffily got out of bed. "You go back to sleep, Elle. I'll ask them what exactly is so urgent that they keep calling."

She murmured in acknowledgment and turned away from him.

He left the bedroom with his phone and soon appeared outside the house. A delivery guy stood outside and handed him something. He took it but was empty-handed when he returned to the bedroom.

Noelle asked, "Is there a problem at work?"

"No, it's nothing. You don't need to worry about anything, Elle. I'll go make you breakfast."

Noelle didn't know whether it was out of guilt or genuine concern that the food yesterday had affected her, but Shawn prepared a feast for breakfast. There was milk, eggs, bread, jam, and her favorite oatmeal.

"You can't eat whatever you want from now on. Also, I think I'll hire someone to come over to cook for you daily," Shawn said.

"That's not necessary."

"Be good, Elle, or I'll worry about you when I'm working."

"Can I ask you something, Shawn?"

"Of course."

Noelle set her cutlery down and asked, "Do you think it's true that couples will get an itch to be with someone else after being married for a number of years?"

Shawn's expression turned contemptuous. "That's just an excuse men make to explain why they've fallen for someone else. I'm not like them—you're the only one I'll love in this lifetime."

"Really? You'll love only me?"

"Yeah."

"What will happen if you do fall for someone else, then?"

"Then, I'll get struck by lightning and die a horrible death."

Noelle smiled mockingly. "Aren't you afraid it'll really happen?"

"I'm telling the truth. Why should I be afraid?"

She picked up her cutlery again and started spreading jam on her bread.

"You have to trust me, Elle," Shawn said earnestly.

All she said was, "Eat your breakfast."

"Do you not believe me?"

"Your staff are waiting for you at the company. You don't want to be late."

This made Shawn relax. He sat across from her and said, "Let them wait. They're useless, anyway. I'll fire them sooner or later."

"Can you bear to fire her?" Noelle asked. She'd used "her", not "them".

She didn't know whether he noticed. All he said was, "I can bear to lose everything but you."

Noelle and Shawn headed to the company after breakfast. However, she insisted on sitting in the backseat because the thought of sitting in the front passenger seat revolted her.

"I have motion sickness," she explained. "I'll be more comfortable in the backseat because I can lower the window and enjoy the wind."

Shawn didn't force her to move to the front. "Alright, then. I'll drive as smoothly as possible."

When they arrived at the company, he jogged to her side of the car to open the door for her. It was peak hour, so most of the employees were arriving at the same time. They watched as she got out of the car.

A few senior executives even ran over and said sycophantically, "You're here, Mrs. Pitt. Mr. Pitt talks about this milk tea that you like almost every day. I'll go get you one right now."

Another said, "I'll go get snacks, then. I know you like pastries."

Shawn laughed and said, "Stop feeding her. She's already put on some weight and can't wear her wedding ring anymore."

"That's where you're wrong, Mr. Pitt," one executive countered. "Mrs. Pitt looks so slim that it must be the ring's fault if she can't wear it anymore. I bet it's shrunk!"

"Come on now. It's fine if you want to flatter Mrs. Pitt, but don't you think that's a bit over the top? Silver can't shrink!"

"You don't know what you're talking about. Mr. Pitt loves Mrs. Pitt so much that he'll be happy when she is. Life will be better for all of us!"

Shawn laughed and said amicably, "Alright, alright. You guys know what my weak spot is."

Everyone laughed.

Noelle was surrounded by an entourage as she headed to Shawn's office. She had fruits, snacks, and milk tea—everything she could possibly need.

Shawn even streamed a show for her on his laptop. "I have to get to work, Elle. You can have fun here, alright? Call Wilson if you need anything. He's right outside."

She deliberately asked, "What about Jessica, your personal assistant? Why haven't I seen her around?"

"I'm not sure," he answered. "I'll have HR call her to check on her."

Before leaving, he caressed her head affectionately. "Wait for me, okay? We can have lunch together."

Shawn left, and the senior executives left with him. That was when Noelle noticed his phone on the desk. She hurried after them when she heard the senior executives whispering among themselves.

"…The rooftop? Mr. Pitt and Jessica are getting up to all sorts of tricks now."

"Well, they don't have a choice, do they? Mrs. Pitt is here today. They have to go somewhere else."

"Do we still need to bring condoms to him, then?"

"Nah. I saw him put several boxes into his pocket before heading upstairs earlier."

"Heh. Mr. Pitt is quite the man—how did he manage to buy condoms under Mrs. Pitt's nose?"

"He ordered a delivery. You know how convenient these things are nowadays. They can buy whatever you want."

It all clicked into place. The calls that morning had been from the delivery guy. Shawn had placed the order early in the morning for the delivery guy to get him the condoms. It looked like he was very excited for his rooftop rendezvous, seeing as he'd started preparing for it so early in advance.

"I wonder whether a few boxes are enough. He and Jessica went at it in the car for a day and night, and she was walking funny the next day."

"We can always bring him more if he runs out. We're his employees, so it's only right for us to keep him happy."

"Didn't you say something earlier about making Mrs. Pitt happy?"

"Tsk. What does she know? She's happy enough with a cup of milk tea and some pastries. Anyway, it's normal for someone of Mr. Pitt's status to have a few mistresses. He's rich and powerful, so it's only expected that he'll fool around behind his wife's back. It's fine as long as she doesn't find out."

"I guess you're right. She looks naive, too. It shouldn't be hard to keep this from her."

Shawn showed up as they were talking. "Don't run your mouths when Elle is around. Do you understand?"

The senior executives nodded quickly. "Of course, Mr. Pitt. We know where to draw the line."

One of them asked, "Why did you bring Mrs. Pitt along today, sir? You and Jessica have to hide at the rooftop, and we have to be careful with our words."

Shawn glared at him. "Noelle is my wife, which means she owns the company as well. She can come if she wants to. What does it have to do with you?"

"Of course, of course, sir…"

He gave the senior executives a warning look. "Take good care of Elle. She had an upset stomach last night, so don't get her anything too aggravating. Also, anyone who lets the cat out of the bag can get lost. Do you hear me?"

The senior executives nodded vigorously, looking ingratiating.

Noelle didn't stick around to hear the rest of the conversation. She hurried back to Shawn's office and placed his phone among the snacks on the desk.

Shortly after, Shawn entered the office, still looking like his usual gentlemanly self. "What is it that you're eating, you insatiable little thing? It looks good."

The way he addressed her made her stomach turn. However, she suppressed her disgust and asked, "Didn't you go for a meeting? Why are you back so suddenly?"

"I left my phone here. Did you see it?"

Noelle shook her head. "No."

He rummaged through the snacks and eventually found it. "Oh, it's here. Enjoy your snacks, then. I'll get going."

Just then, Noelle's phone rang. She answered it.

"Hello, am I speaking to Ms. Aria Byrd?"

"Yes, this is she."

"Good day, Ms. Byrd. You've booked a flight to Neloria for next week. Your ticket has been issued. All you need to do is bring your passport to board the flight."

"Anything else besides the passport?"

"No, that's all."

"Alright."

After she hung up, Shawn gave her a confused look. "Passport? Why do you suddenly need it?"