Chapter 3

“Liam.”

My voice echoed in the silent mansion.

He abruptly turned around, his eyes filled with shock.

At the same time, he subtly released Eleanor’s hand, which he had been holding.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Eleanor’s face.

“Chloe? Why are you here…”

“I came to learn from you.”

I was blunt.

Fearing they wouldn’t understand my implied meaning, I pulled out a cold smile.

“After all, my husband is very busy right now. At night, he not only has to take care of me but also needs to help take care of other women.”

Eleanor’s face instantly turned pale, her fingers clutching the sofa armrest tightly.

“Chloe, don’t jump to conclusions. I was just…”

“Just what? Just happened to slip and twist your ankle while going to the bathroom in the middle of the night?”

I walked step by step towards them, staring at her.

“What a coincidence. Every time we’re halfway through being intimate, you always seem to have a little 'accident'.”

Eleanor buried her head deeper, her shoulders trembling slightly as she began to cry silently.

“Enough, don’t say another word.”

Liam abruptly stood up, grabbed my wrist, and dragged me towards the guest room.

He lowered his voice, questioning me.

“Are you out of your mind? Dad is still lying in his room!”

“Ha, so you remember your dad is lying in his room? Then what exactly are you and Eleanor doing, cuddling here?”

“You’re absolutely unreasonable. Eleanor and I are innocent; there’s nothing going on.”

He was clearly furious, his grip strong, as he forcefully pushed me into the guest room.

“Let go!” I struggled with all my might, my nails leaving several red marks on his hand.

“You’re hurting me!”

The guest room door clicked shut. Liam gripped my hand tightly.

“Chloe, let me explain.”

He released me, his tone suddenly softening.

“Eleanor really did slip and twist her ankle. I just helped her up.”

“So, helping her up requires a hug and comfort?”

I sneered, rubbing my reddened wrist.

“Does it require you to stay up all night, talking to her and comforting her? Does it require you to—”

“Enough!”

Liam, exasperated, punched the wall.

“Can your mind not be so filthy?”

“She’s my dad’s wife!”

“My dad is in this state because of me. Is it wrong for me to look after her on his behalf?”

I looked at his bloodshot eyes and suddenly found everything incredibly laughable.

“Liam, do you dare say you’re *just* looking after her?”

He was about to say something when his phone suddenly rang.

The words “Stepmom” on the screen stung my eyes.

Liam hesitated for a moment, then answered.

“Okay, wait for me. I’ll go with you.”

He hung up, looking at me with hesitation.

“Eleanor’s ankle is swollen. We need to go to the hospital.”

“So?”

I leaned against the headboard, my eyes full of sarcasm. “Are you leaving me again?”

“I’ll be quick.”

He tried to reach out and pat my shoulder, but I shifted, dodging him.

“Wait for me at home. I promise I’ll be back soon.”

“Get lost!”

I closed my eyes, listening as his footsteps and Eleanor’s voice faded away down the hallway.

A chill spread through my limbs.

A “ding” sound echoed, like a new message notification.

I opened my eyes, stood up, and searched for the source of the sound.

Finally, on the second shelf of the nightstand to the left, I found a phone with its screen lit up. This was Liam’s work spare phone, which he usually used for company business.

Why was it in the guest room?

A wild idea drove me to pick it up.

The lock screen showed a blurry photo, vaguely revealing two silhouettes.

I entered his common password.

The moment the phone unlocked and I saw its contents, I began to tremble uncontrollably.