Chapter 1

During our pre-wedding honeymoon trip, my fiancé suddenly dropped everything and caught a flight back after receiving a text from his secretary claiming she had a cold. He stayed by her bedside day and night.

A few days later, I found suspicious stains and an unmistakably intimate scent on the $700,000 limited-edition collector doll I had won at an auction. Soon after, an anonymous text popped up on my phone.

"Caleb told me this is your favorite doll, so I left a little souvenir just for you. Did you see it?"

"By the way, Caleb took me so many times on your bridal bed that night..."

Just as I was about to confront Caleb, a text from him came through:

"Brooke just joined the company, so I need to train her personally. Let's postpone our wedding."

"Also, her rental place is over two miles from the office. I offered her a room in our penthouse. You're always so mature and understanding; I'm sure you won't mind."

I instantly blocked his number everywhere and listed our bridal apartment for sale.

Rushing straight to the university lab, I grabbed my handsome younger junior by his collar.

"Asher, didn't you say you were into me? There's an opening for a husband right now. You in or out?"

During our honeymoon trip, my fiancé disappeared out of nowhere.

I stood by the freezing shore for three agonizing hours. My calls went straight to voicemail until the thirty-third attempt finally connected.

A girl’s voice answered instead.

"Chloe, he’s peeling an apple for me right now. It's not a good time for him to talk."

"It's Brooke. I texted him this morning saying I caught a cold and needed a sick day. He was so worried that he rushed to the hospital to take care of me. You're not mad, are you?"

"Put him on the phone."

"Caleb, couldn't you have at least shot me a text before running off to visit your employee? Do you have any idea how long I’ve been freezing alone on this beach?"

"Brooke has a fever. I have to look after her. Let’s talk later. Bye."

A wave of pure rage washed over me.

Brooke was a textbook manipulative pick-me girl, and men always fell for that fake, helpless act.

I had no choice but to book the next red-eye flight back myself. Landing in the morning, I stopped by the lab on my way to upload my research data.

"Chloe? Aren't you supposed to be on your honeymoon? What are you doing here today?"

"Don't get me started. He ditched me early this morning to babysit his assistant without even telling me. I barely snagged a ticket back home."

"What a jerk. Dump him. Walk away and be with me instead."

I paused for a second. "Stop joking around, Asher. I don't date younger guys."

My phone buzzed with an incoming message from Brooke.

"I’m so sorry, Chloe. I heard your trip was cut short."

"It's all my fault for catching this stupid cold. But Caleb insisted on flying back, even though I told him I'd be fine on my own."

I typed back: "Thanks for the concern. He's a caring boss, checking on his team is normal."

"And by the way, I'm an only child. No need to call me sister. Next time, submit your sick leave through HR like a real adult."

I took a deep breath, letting out the frustration.

Brooke immediately shot back: "Sorry! I call Caleb 'big brother' all the time, so I figured I’d call you that too."

"Caleb always tells me to report everything directly to him. I can't stop him from fussing over me. Maybe you should take it up with him yourself."

I showed my screen to Asher. "Does this sound like something a normal assistant would say?"

"And Caleb has the nerve to tell me not to overthink it. How could I not?"

A minute later, Brooke posted an update on her Ins story.

"Where do you find a boss this sweet?"

The photo showed her lying in a hospital bed, with a man’s tailored sleeve visible in the corner as he spoon-fed her soup.

My blood boiled. I dialed Caleb’s number immediately.

"How long do you plan on playing nurse? It's just a mild cold!"

"Can you grow up for once? I'm the CEO. What's wrong with looking out for my staff?"

"Chloe, since when did you become so petty?"

"Petty? You barely take a single day off all year! We finally get a week for our honeymoon, and you ditch me the second she texts you!"

Caleb sighed, falling quiet for a brief moment. "Chloe, I didn't think it through."

"You know her mom is best friends with mine. We grew up together. Naturally, I feel responsible for her."

"Cut me some slack, okay?"

"Fine. Don't pull this stunt ever again."

I choked down my frustration, choosing to let it go. But then another text popped up.

"Chloe, I'm at the hospital. Brooke is craving homemade soup. If you're free, whip up a batch and bring it over."