I wiped away my tears and opened the dashcam viewing app.

It was something Sienna had downloaded on my phone to ease my mind. I trusted her back then, so I never bothered to check it.

The screen loaded, showing the real-time feed.

The interior of the car was dim, but the audio was crystal clear.

"Sienna, this song is so good. How about we make it our song?"

"Sure, you're the boss."

Then came the rustle of clothes, followed by a chorus of nauseating gasps.

I tapped the download button.

Once my tears had dried, only an icy emptiness remained.

At dawn, Sienna came home. She looked exhausted, but there was a glaring red mark on her neck.

In an instant, Archie's music account avatar flashed across my mind. It was a picture of a cute puppy.

It looked docile, innocent, and harmless.

Just like him. He always looked at people shyly, easily stirring up a protective instinct in others.

That was why I'd softened and sponsored him.

Sienna had clearly gotten lost in that facade.

She often complained that I was "too much of a businessman" or "too domineering".

It wasn't until now that I realized what she really needed was someone who could worship her completely.

"Babe, I'm so tired. I didn't sleep all night to work on that proposal," she complained with her eyes closed, waiting for me to hand her the hot towel and cup of warm water, like I always did.

But I didn't move.

"Shawn?" She opened her eyes in confusion when the usual service didn't come.

I looked at her, my voice parched and hollow. "Why do you smell like river water?"

Sienna stiffened for a moment before sitting up and adjusting her hair.

"Oh, the project team went to the riverbank for some fresh air last night. We had supper there."

"Was Archie there too?" I asked.

Her gaze flickered, but she quickly regained her usual confident stance.

"Yeah, he's an intern, so he joined us to learn. Shawn, I'm really glad you introduced him to the company. He's hardworking, and everyone likes him."

She walked over, reaching for my hand.

"By the way, he keeps saying he wants to thank you for sponsoring him."

I pulled my hand away and replied flatly, "I sponsored him to help him get an education, not to have him spend late nights with my girlfriend watching river views."

Sienna's expression darkened. "Shawn Baker, what's that supposed to mean? How could you put it that way? Everything between us is strictly business!"

"Strictly business? Why did you sync your playlists 688 times in the dead of night, then?"

I tossed the printed music report on the coffee table.

The papers scattered, and Sienna's pupils constricted.

After a moment, she sighed, like she was dealing with a petulant child. "All this over that? Shawn, you're being way too sensitive.

"This account is also logged in on the company laptop. Sometimes, when Archie works late, he uses my account to listen to music to stay awake. What's the big deal? He's my intern. Do you want me to log out just for this?"

She looked up at me. Disappointment was heavy in her voice as she continued, "I've been working myself to the bone for our future, and you're here, sitting at home, nitpicking over a few music logs. Shawn, can you be a little more mature?"

Mature?

I curled my lips bitterly.

We had been together for five years. I'd stuck by her through thick and thin, from nothing to where we were now.

Every time I asked for stability and marriage, she'd tell me the company was still growing and that she couldn't give me the best.

I understood, compromised, and spent my best years waiting.

Now she was complaining that I wasn't mature enough and that I couldn't tolerate her crossing boundaries with another man.

I smiled. "You should go take a shower. You stink."

Thinking I had given in, Sienna sighed in relief and headed for the bathroom.

The sound of water from the shower started.

I picked up her phone.

The password was still my birthday, something she thought was a sign of deep affection.

I unlocked it and opened WhatsApp.

The pinned chat wasn't with me, but with a group called "Project Team: File Transfer".

There were only two people in the group—her and Archie.

The chat was unnervingly clean. There were no flirtatious messages, just many files and work reports.

But I knew Sienna too well. She was cautious, yet always craved the rush of danger.

I clicked on the "Annual Music Report" link and shared it in the group chat.

The next second, Archie sent a message. "Sienna, you were so naughty earlier in the car. My lips are swollen now."

I didn't reply. I just deleted the shared link.

When Sienna came out of the shower, she looked refreshed.

"Oh, by the way, the company's having a team-building session this weekend. Archie said he hasn't seen you in a while. You should join us," she casually said while drying her hair.

She never took me to these events before, always citing the boundary between work and personal life.

She probably invited me this time to ease my doubts.

"Sure," I replied.

Sienna paused for a moment, clearly surprised by how easily I agreed, then came over and kissed me on the forehead.

"That's more like it. Don't keep being so suspicious."

The moment her lips touched my skin, my stomach churned. I barely managed to resist pushing her away.

…

On the weekend, when I arrived at the resort, Archie was standing next to Sienna.

He was wearing an off-white knit sweater and casual pants.

That sweater was something I had sent him last month. It cost over 2,000 dollars, which seemed luxurious for an intern.

He'd complained to me on WhatsApp about the cold winter and his lack of warm clothes.

I softened and bought it for him.

Now, he wore the sweater I bought him and stood next to my girlfriend, his grin wide.

"Shawn! It's been so long. I've missed you!"

When Archie saw me, his eyes lit up, and he approached me enthusiastically.

He was wearing the exact same cologne I'd smelled on Sienna when she came home that night. It had a subtle, sweet scent.

He then sized me up and feigned surprise. "Shawn, why'd you dress like that? Sienna doesn't like the old-fashioned look. I've been working with her, so I know her taste now."

His soft words were like a dagger to the chest.

I didn't bother responding. His intentions were so transparent that they were practically screaming.

"Sienna always talks about you, saying you're capable. Even your taste in music matches hers."

Archie's expression froze for a moment. He glanced at Sienna instinctively.

Sienna frowned. "Shawn, stop being passive-aggressive."

When Archie saw that I wasn't responding, he dropped all pretense of subtlety.

He tilted his head, looking innocent as he said, "Shawn, I'm able to wear such nice clothes thanks to your sponsorship. But I also have to thank Sienna. She said this color makes me look fair and young."

He emphasized the word "young", and his gaze was filled with challenge.

My fingers trembled slightly, and a chill spread through me.

Archie was 21 years old. Sure, he was young and cheerful.

But I was only 28 and already successful in my career and in my prime. What did I lack compared to him?

Archie kept going. "By the way, Sienna said she'll make me a permanent employee next month."

Permanent?

He was still in his senior year of college and had only been with the company for two weeks.

I looked at Sienna.

Sienna averted her gaze, looking diffident. "Archie's been doing well. I'm planning to make him permanent next month."

I sneered.

Spending my money on clothes, sleeping with my girlfriend, and now trying to climb the ladder through this connection—Archie's plan was impeccably calculated.

The team-building activity was hiking.

Archie stuck to Sienna the whole way, handing her water and wiping the sweat from her forehead.

Their colleagues teased, "Ms. Fletcher, this intern's more considerate than your assistant!"

Sienna laughed and waved them off. "The poor guy's shy. Don't tease him. And my boyfriend's here."

She turned to look at me with a hint of warning in her gaze, signaling me to be the bigger person.

I walked behind, watching coldly.

Halfway up the mountain, Archie suddenly slipped and fell to the ground.

"Ouch…" He clutched his ankle in pain.

Sienna rushed to him almost instinctively and crouched to check. "What happened? Did you sprain it?"

Her voice was full of concern that was impossible to hide.

"It's swollen. I can't walk." Archie looked up at her with pitiful eyes.

Without saying a single word, Sienna immediately looped his arm around her shoulder. "Come on. I'll help you."

The colleagues exchanged uncomfortable glances, and the situation grew awkward.

After all, her boyfriend was standing right there.

Sienna seemed to realize this as she turned to me. "Shawn, he's hurt. We can't leave him here. You're strong. Could you carry our bags?"

With that, she tossed both her and Archie's bags to me.

The two bags felt heavy in my hands.

I watched her supporting Archie. His arm was hooked around her waist, and half of his body was leaning into hers.

As they passed by, Archie shot me a look. His gaze was full of smugness.

I stood there, staring at their retreating figures. Suddenly, I felt an overwhelming sense of irony.

Three months ago, I had an acute appendicitis attack.

I called Sienna, but she said she was in a meeting and told me to go to the hospital on my own.

I had surgery and spent three days in the hospital. She came to visit once, stayed for ten minutes, and left.

"Work's busy. You're an adult. You can take care of yourself," she had said.

It wasn't that she didn't know how to care. It was just that I wasn't the one she cared about.

I threw the two bags into the bushes by the side of the trail.

I dusted my hands off and turned to head back down the mountain.

Sienna sent me a message. "Why didn't you catch up? Where are the bags?"

"They were too heavy. I tossed them aside," I replied.

Back home, I started packing.

This apartment was one that Sienna and I rented together, but I paid most of the rent and living expenses.

I folded my clothes neatly and packed them into my suitcase.

As for the gifts I had given her—jewelry, designer handbags, and luxurious scarves—I found a large box and stuffed them all inside.

Then, I called a local courier service and had everything sent to a secondhand store.

Once I finished that, I made a phone call. "Help me investigate all of Sienna's expenses for the last six months."

The emotional debt was a lost cause, but I would settle the financial one with absolute precision.

Half an hour later, a detailed bank statement arrived on my phone.

I opened it and slid my finger across the screen. My expression grew colder with each swipe.

The long list of transactions was all money transferred to Archie.

On November 11th, Sienna transferred 5,200 dollars into his account. On December 1st, she spent 12,800 dollars at a luxury men's clothing store. Then, on December 24th, her card was charged 3,888 dollars for a hot-spring hotel suite.

Even Archie's daily cab fares and food delivery were paid with her bank card.

I laughed bitterly. The last bit of warmth in my eyes completely vanished.

When Sienna came home that evening, she noticed something was off. The once cozy apartment now felt cold, and all my things were gone.

She panicked. "Shawn, what's going on? Are you going on a business trip?"

Sitting on the couch, I looked up at her. "Sienna, we're done."