Henley's entire body trembled as she stepped outside and hailed a cab home.

When Kevin didn't see her return after a long time, his call quickly came through. "Henley, where did you go? The waiter said you took a cab and left. Are you feeling unwell? Should I come back and stay with you?"

His concerned voice echoed through the empty room.

Henley answered weakly, "There's something urgent back at the company. Please apologize to your colleagues for my absence."

Before he could reply, she ended the call firmly.

Soon after, Edith sent her a message. She wrote, "Ms. Johnstone, the death-faking pill is ready."

Henley gripped her phone tightly and slowly typed her reply. "I'm at home right now. Bring it to me."

Edith acknowledged her message and rushed over without delay. She brought all the instruction manuals along with the drug.

When she arrived, she hesitated. The hand she had lifted halfway withdrew abruptly.

She said, "Ms. Johnstone, maybe we should get someone else to test the pill. The company can't function without you holding things together."

Henley shook her head. She took the pill from Edith and slipped it into her pocket.

Just as she was about to speak, Kevin came rushing back in a hurry. Serena was right behind him with takeout boxes from the restaurant.

Seeing that Henley seemed to be discussing something with Edith, he tactfully said nothing. However, his gaze remained fixed on Edith.

Henley waved her hand, signaling Edith to leave first.

When only the three of them remained in the house, Serena walked up to Henley politely. "Henley, I'm Serena, remember? I'm Kevin's co-pilot."

Henley glanced at her dispassionately before shifting her gaze to Kevin. "Why did you suddenly come back? And why did you bring your colleague home?"

Kevin bent down so that he met her eyes. He looked at her face with affection.

He said, "You didn't eat anything tonight. I was worried about your stomach. Serena has experience with this kind of thing, so she insisted on coming back with me to look after you."

Henley nodded. Kevin turned and went into the kitchen to heat up the food.

Once he disappeared into the kitchen, Serena finally revealed her true colors. She looked around like she was the lady of the house. Then, she fixed her disdainful gaze on Henley.

"You saw us kissing, didn't you? I knew you would see it. That's why I did it on purpose. You've been married for so many years. Kevin got bored a long time ago. You're no longer attractive as a woman. How could you possibly keep a man's heart?

"Besides, Isaac always tells me he hopes I'll be his mom. Father and son really do think alike. Kevin marrying me is only a matter of time. If I were you, I'd leave early so that I won't be an eyesore."

Kevin suddenly poked his head out of the kitchen. When he saw Serena smiling brightly, he assumed the two women were getting along well. He quickly retreated back inside.

Serena's lips curled into a provocative smile as she called toward the kitchen. "Kevin, I think Henley's fine. I'll head out first. Don't forget that we have a flight together tomorrow night."

With that, Kevin reluctantly walked her downstairs. Unable to help themselves, the two lingered together in the stairwell for quite some time before finally parting.

When Kevin came back, Serena's scent hadn't faded from his body yet as he pulled Henley into his arms.

He said, "Henley, do you want me to take time off and go to the hospital with you? Or we could spend some time together tomorrow. Just the two of us. Ever since we had Isaac, it feels like it's been forever since we had time to ourselves."

Henley gently pushed him away and rejected his suggestion.

Saying that they were busy with Isaac was nothing but an excuse. They had had plenty of chances to spend time with each other. It was only that the person he wanted to hang out with had never been her.

A marriage that existed in name only was utterly devoid of the love it once had.

She brushed Kevin off with a few perfunctory words and went to bed early. After all, she had many things to take care of the next day.

At dawn, Kevin left first. Henley didn't bother asking where he went. She drove to the company and gathered all the senior executives for a meeting that took up the whole morning.

After handling the company's affairs, Edith laid out all the insurance policies in front of her. She examined them carefully and signed the ones that named herself as the beneficiary.

Henley terminated all the other policies in advance. She didn't want Kevin and Isaac to profit even a cent from her fake death.

By evening, she rushed back home and burned all the mementos of their relationship and their clothes. Since she was leaving, there was no point in leaving anything behind.

Henley had never been the type to lose her mind over love. She had told Kevin more than once that if he stopped loving her one day, all he had to do was say it, and she would leave.

They could have parted ways amicably. Yet, he kept it from her and let her discover the truth herself. It was a disgusting experience.

The flames rose high into the air. When Kevin returned and saw the scene, he was alarmed.

His voice rose an octave as an uneasy thought occurred to him. "What's the matter, Henley?"

With a blank expression, Henley answered coldly, "I just burned some things that are useless. There's nothing to make a fuss about. Next time you come back, take care of your clothes beforehand."

His white shirt was covered in lipstick marks of varying shades, but he seemed completely unaware.

Kevin said, "I talked with my superiors today about a promotion and had a few extra drinks. Soon, I won't have to fly around every day. I'll have more time to spend with you and Isaac."

He was bright-eyed when he said that. But to Henley, those eyes held nothing but deception and lies.

She held the death-faking pill tightly in her hand, and her eyes reddened slightly.

Going against her true feelings, she answered, "Alright."

Henley and Kevin shared the same bed that night like they always did. However, their hearts were elsewhere and no longer in tandem.

When daylight broke, Henley was already up and out of the house. She had booked an appointment with the sales office in advance, as she planned to sell the apartment they were currently living in.

The manager, Gina Craig, was in the middle of handling the paperwork with her when the laughter and playful banter from Kevin and Serena drifted over.

There happened to be a pillar directly in front of Henley, so it blocked her from their view completely. She didn't want to pay them any attention, but there was no avoiding it.

His gaze tender and doting, Kevin said softly, "Serena, pick whichever unit you like. All the properties here are mine anyway. Since I promised you a unit as your birthday gift, I'll definitely make it happen."

Serena smiled shyly and instructed the salesperson to introduce her to the best units.

Henley froze, and her hands trembled uncontrollably. This apartment was a birthday gift she had given Kevin. She had spent two full years personally designing the entire project for him. Every single detail had been filled with her love for him.

Now, he was giving it away so casually, like it meant nothing at all. He had completely forgotten the vows he had once made.

Seeing that something was off with Henley, Gina asked quietly, "Ms. Johnstone, should I go remind them?"

Henley waved her hand. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest.

Kevin and Serena completed the procedure quickly.

The salesperson continued flattering them, "Ms. Burke is blessed to have a husband who's so willing to spend money on her."

Serena nestled into Kevin's arms, unable to hide the joy on her face.

On Henley's side, the paperwork was finished just as quickly. Dozens of staff members followed behind her to see her out.

The commotion drew their attention.

The salesperson merely glanced over and said disdainfully, "Looks like another woman is selling her house. She's probably just another worn-out housewife slaving away for her family."

Henley stopped in her tracks, and her expression turned frighteningly frigid.

Gina immediately strode over and slapped the salesperson hard across the face. "Who do you think you are to talk bad about Ms. Johnstone? Don't bother coming in next month. You're fired."

The salesperson panicked. She dropped to her knees and cried hysterically, "I was ignorant! Please forgive me, Ms. Johnstone!"

Henley said nothing.

Instead, Kevin spoke up before she could. "She didn't really do anything wrong. Don't be so harsh on her. It's not easy to make a living nowadays."

Serena also stepped forward and tried to speak up for the salesperson. But before she could speak, Henley shot her a look that made her retreat in fear.

Looking wounded, Serena said, "Henley, do you have a problem with me? It seems like she is dismissed for no reason because of me."

Kevin didn't overtly defend Serena in front of everyone, likely out of fear that Henley might realize something.

Gina was efficient. She told the salesperson to pack her personal belongings and leave. After handing all the contracts to Henley, she departed as well.

Kevin frowned at the documents in Henley's hands. He asked in confusion, "Did you sell our place? Why didn't you discuss this with me first? Where are we going to live from now on? Isaac is still going to school. I hope you can give me a reasonable explanation."

He sounded perplexed, and there was a hint of resentment in his voice.

Henley's eyes were completely devoid of emotion as she replied calmly, "I got tired of living there and wanted to try out a new environment."

Upon hearing her tone, Kevin froze in place. When had this indifference started? When had Henley lost even the desire to explain herself to him?

At a loss, he reached out to grab her hand. Instead, his eyes caught sight of her bare ring finger.

When had she taken off the ring?

Taking advantage of Kevin's stunned stupor, Henley took a step back and left. She holed up at the company for another entire day. When she finally looked up, it was already deep into the night.

Kevin had called her many times and had sent countless messages.

"Henley, when are you coming back? I made your favorite dishes just for you."

"Isaac got a perfect score today. He's been clamoring for you to praise him."

"Are you working late again tonight? Then I'll tuck Isaac in first."

"I'm waiting for you to come home."

Henley rubbed her temples irritably as a dull ache rose from her stomach. She opened the drawer and saw that the box of stomach medicine was already empty. Left with no choice, she shut down her computer and went downstairs to buy some medicine.

While waiting to pay, she was unexpectedly met with a post that made her heart pound violently.

Serena was at her home.

She posted a photo of a property deed, as well as a photo of herself with Kevin and Isaac, looking like a happy family of three.

The caption read, "He remembers every word I say. I think I'll be happy forever."

The comments below were filled with well-wishes. Kevin and Isaac expressed their agreement and fondness too.

"I'll never let my woman down."

"Mommy Serena is the prettiest!"

Soon after, Serena posted another update. From her words, it was obvious that she was boasting.

She wrote, "Father and son almost fought over me. Everyone, help me judge. Who should I side with?"

At the end was a mischievous laughing emoji, followed by people on the internet egging her on in the comments.

As if unsure whether Henley had seen it, Serena deliberately sent her a message. "Henley, you're too busy with work. Since I had time, I stayed and spent time with your husband and son for a while."

The bitterness in Henley's chest spread like wildfire and consumed her heart whole.

Seeing as she didn't reply, Serena grew even more brazen. She sent one taunting message after another.

Late at night, a video that was nearly an hour long popped up on Henley's phone. Despite having a feeling that she might not want to see it, she tapped to open it regardless.

The filthy contents of the video polluted her eyes. Lewd, intimate sounds drilled into her ears.

In a low voice, Kevin called Serena's name again and again. Henley knew all too well that was how he sounded whenever he was brimming with lust and desire.

She turned off the video. The pain she had barely suppressed surged violently again in her stomach. Cold sweat soaked through her hair, yet she never made a sound.

Henley had always been like this. She endured all the pain alone.

Kevin had once told her that as a woman, she didn't need to be so strong all the time. Since she had him backing him up, she could rely on him.

But Kevin had never truly understood her. In the end, he gave that tenderness to another woman.

Henley curled up in her office and slept there for the night. By morning, she had caught a chill. She returned home, dragging her sick body lethargically. Serena had long left.

The house was spotless. Kevin had clearly taken the initiative to clean up the adulterous scene.

The moment he saw Henley, his heart jolted. He couldn't quite explain it, but she felt different from before.

Henley's face was deathly pale as she remarked in an even tone, "You must have had a good time last night."

Kevin's expression stiffened. He scratched his head and said, "I couldn't sleep all night because you didn't come home. In the future, no matter how late you get off work, why don't I go pick you up at the company?"

There was a hint of inquiry in his tone, as well as some concern. But there was not a trace of intimacy between husband and wife.

Henley desperately wanted to see some other emotion on his face. Unfortunately, he hid it too well and didn't reveal even the slightest of cracks.

He could spend a passionate night with Serena and show up before her the next day as if nothing had happened.

Henley, on the other hand, couldn't let it pass.

She walked past him and went straight into the bedroom. Upon seeing the neatly made bed, the images from the video resurfaced in her mind.

She covered her mouth and rushed into the bathroom. Her stomach was empty, so there was nothing to vomit.

Seeing how unwell she looked, Kevin reached out to comfort her. "Henley, why don't I take you to the hospital?"

Henley waved him off and said coldly, "I'm fine."