Sure enough, as Callie approached, Reid quickly swiped across the screen, switching to a different interface. In the brief moment of transition, Callie caught a glimpse of Geneva’s provocative black stockings. No wonder he was so absorbed in staring at the screen.

Feigning ignorance, Callie casually asked, “Reid, what do you think? Does it look nice?”

Reid couldn’t resist pulling her into his arms, his face lighting up with a smile. “It’s beautiful. But that’s because you look amazing in everything. So, should we go with this one?”

“Perfect!” Callie replied, trying to sound enthusiastic.

Without hesitation, Reid swiped his card, paying in full for the five-million-dollar wedding dress, not even batting an eye.

“I think the designer should adjust it a bit more. It seems a little big big on you,” he said, a bit too smoothly.

The saleswoman, beaming with admiration, chimed in, “You have a very thoughtful husband, Miss Dodson. It does a bit big, but it's not too noticeable. I’m amazed he picked up on such a small detail.”

“He’s not my husband,” Callie corrected, her voice cool.

Reid paused for a moment, then immediately explained, “True, because I will be soon, right?” He added with a loving kiss on her cheek.

The staff in the store watched, quietly amazed.

“Wow! This couple is so cute!” one of them whispered.

“I know right?” if I had such a considerate and generous boyfriend, I’d be waking up smiling everyday.” 

Callie smiled bitterly to herself but said nothing. This was Reid—he was always the perfect boyfriend when there were eyes on him. The more people around, the more charming he seemed, as if he needed to prove he was the most loving man in the world. It was always like this in public, far more attentive than when they were alone.

Everyone knew about the famous Dodson heiress and her eight-year relationship with Reid. It was well-known enough that no one dared to set up an arranged marriage with her—except Tommy.

As they left the bridal store, Reid’s phone rang again. He glanced at it quickly and immediately hung up.

“Callie, you should head back. I’ll call a cab for you. I need to meet with a client. We have an important contract to discuss,” Reid explained.

Callie nodded obediently, but once Reid left, she immediately ordered another car to follow him.

The car parked in front of Reid’s company building, but this time, Geneva was waiting for him. Dressed in a professional skirt suit, she seemed to be all business, but Callie noticed the black stockings that barely reached mid-thigh and a black lace choker around her neck. The implications were clear without needing to be spoken. Callie rolled down the car window, just in time to overhear their conversation.

Geneva handed over a contract, her finger brushing the back of Reid’s hand as she leaned in with a playful, flirtatious tone, “Mr. Reid, I think we need to take this contract to your office and discuss it in detail.”

Reid swallowed visibly, accepting the contract without hesitation, a smile on his lips. “Of course! I’ll be waiting in my office.”

Callie followed them through the employee entrance, leading directly to Reid’s office.

His office was a private space, separated from the other departments, just the way he liked it. When Reid’s company was still starting up, all the design and decor for the office had been Callie’s work, including the intimate, secluded room where she and Reid had spent countless passionate moments.

But now, standing at the door, she saw Reid eagerly pull Geneva in for a kiss, his hands firmly gripping her back. The two of them kissed their way from the office entrance all the way into the hidden room.

They kissed their way through the office, all the way to the private room. By the time the door closed behind them, Callie’s hand holding the phone to record was trembling.

Had he forgotten? This hidden room was where it all began for them, the place where they shared their first intimate moments. It held so much significance, a promise he made to never let anyone else step foot in this space.

Yet now, Callie watched with her own eyes as he tangled with another woman inside that very room.

The pain hit her like a wave, sharp and sudden. She pressed her hand against her chest, trying to hold herself together as she stumbled away. The place in her heart that once held warmth for him was now nothing but ruins.

Her eyes were red as she fled the scene, her steps hurried and frantic. In her rush, she collided with an employee on her way out.

The employee’s eyes widened in surprise upon seeing her. He quickly covered his mouth. “Miss Dodson?”

“Don’t tell Reid I was here,” Callie whispered, her voice tight.

“Okay…” The employee hesitated, then nodded.

But as soon as Callie stepped through her front door, Reid’s phone call came through. His voice was frantic, as if he were running.

“Callie, did you just come to the office?”

Callie wiped away the tears, forcing a smile. “Yeah, but I couldn’t find you. So I left. I just wanted to ask if we should go check out the wedding venue.”

Before she could finish, she heard the sound of a key turning in the lock. The door swung open and Reid barged in, pulling her into his arms. His heartbeat was fast, unsteady and Callie could feel the tension in his touch.

His first crack in his usual composure, Reid stammered, “You were looking for me just for that?”

“Mm-hmm. Your office door was closed, so I came back.”

Reid exhaled sharply, pulling her even closer as he kissed the top of her head, a desperate gesture like a man clinging to life. “I thought... I thought… nevermind. I’ll leave the venue style to you. I’ll go with whatever you chose.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat and said, “Since you leave it to me, let’s choose the most extravagant one. I want the world to see my wedding.”

“Of course,” Reid’s heartbeat slowed, his voice filled with affection. “Just let me know if you need more.”

“It’s okay. I don’t need you to pay for it,” Callie said, her words laced with an emotion Reid couldn’t quite place.

Her refusal made his thoughts spiral. In the past, Callie would always ask him to buy things for her, to surprise her with gifts. But now, why was she refusing everything he offered? It felt like she was pulling away, distant.

But she had agreed to marry him. In a few days, he was going to propose and they were about to have the kind of wedding everyone would envy. That couldn’t be wrong, could it? Callie loved him, surely she wouldn’t leave him.

He pushed the unsettling thoughts aside and dialed the finance department, instructing them to transfer ten million to Callie’s account.

“Callie, I know you can afford it yourself, but for something as important as a engagement party, I want to give you the best,” he said earnestly.

“The best,” Callie’s voice turned cold, her words sharp. “Did you ever give that ‘best’ to anyone else, Reid?”

Reid, holding her close, his tone unwavering, responded, “I’ve only ever given it to you.”

Callie let out a small, bitter laugh. “Only me?” she repeat to herself. Then what about everything with Geneva—the romantic gestures, the constant closeness, the video she sent just now? What were all those things?

“Why are you laughing?” Reid asked. Callie’s laugh got him warry. “Do you not believe me?”

“No, it’s..” she sighed, try to keep her tone relax. “I just remembered someone said something funny today. Well, since you love me so much, why don’t you throw me a birthday party tomorrow? In your office.” 

Reid instinctively tightened his hold on the phone but eventually agreed. “Okay.”

The next morning, Callie woke up, but Reid’s side of the bed was already empty.

Callie found a note left by Reid on the nightstand.

“Breakfast is on the table. Don’t forget to eat. I’ll have the driver pick you later and bring you to the office. I have a big surprise planned for you today.”

Callie made her way to the living room, where, as expected, a breakfast spread was waiting for her. This time, it was particularly lavish and it was clear that Reid had woken up early to prepare it.

Reid was a great cook, something he’d learned just for her. He had promised that for the next several decades, he would make sure she always had home-cooked meals. But Callie had no appetite. She had long since noticed Geneva’s social media posts.

Geneva had posted a picture of an identical breakfast a month ago. After Reid’s late nights, he had been staying with Geneva, preparing these same breakfasts for her every morning—always varied, never repeating, a mix of both Western and Asian.

It had been so long since Callie had seen such a rich Western breakfast. Most of the time, Reid would prepare porridge in a rice cooker to appease her.

Without thinking twice, Callie dumped the entire breakfast into the trash. Just as she was turning to leave, her phone buzzed with a message from Tommy.

[Tommy: Want to grab breakfast?]

[Callie: Be there soon!]

Another message from Tommy buzzed her phone, the location of a private high-end restaurant not far from her place.

Callie threw on her clothes, put light make up and left quickly. When she arrived, Tommy had already called over the waiter, giving instructions for the food to be served. All of dishes were already served on the table.

“There’s only both of us. Why you order so much?” Callie blinked in surprise. 

Tommy set a plate in front of her, then poured her a glass of water. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I ordered everything on the menu. And don’t worry about not finish it of. I'll take the leftover to go,” he explained lightly.

Callie nodded. She knew Tommy didn’t waste time on anything that wasn’t important, so this meal had to be about more than just food.

“Mr. Caldwell, if you have any additional requests to put on our agreement, feel free to say.”

Tommy’s face remained neutral as he reached out to wipe the food crumbs from Callie’s lips before speaking in a calm voice. “We’ll be married soon, so it’s normal for me to take you out for a meal. I’ve already met with your family and discussed the wedding. They say you like traditional style, so we’ll go with that theme. The venue and invitations are already taken care of. I’ve also arranged for a cultural heritage craftsman to custom-make your wedding gown. When you have time, I’ll take you to try it on.”

Callie didn’t know what to say. After finishing the breakfast, she simply nodded and said, “Okay.”

There was nothing for her to worry about at the moment.

Before she left, out-of-nowhere Tommy handed her a bouquet. Just happen to her favorite pink rose. 

“Happy Birthday,” he said calmly.

Callie thanked Tommy as she held the pink roses in her hands.

At that moment, Geneva’s message popped up on her phone—a picture of another bouquet of pink roses. She had deliberately photographed the message card, which read: “To my sweet baby, love me every day. You deserve everything others have.” The card was signed, TO: Geneva’s.

Just as Callie was processing the message, Reid’s own text arrived. Attached was a photo of a bouquet identical to the one Geneva had posted, except this one had a different message card. It simply said: “Happy Birthday.” The card was signed, TO: Callie.

Callie let out a cold laugh as she glanced at the bouquet of pink roses in her arms. She turned to Tommy and asked, “Have you given this to anyone else before giving it to me?”

“No,” Tommy answered briefly, his face serious.

Callie hugged the bouquet tightly, a small smirk curling on her lips as she walked into her office. As soon as she entered, a burst of confetti exploded around her.