Chapter 3

Kelsey POV

Griffin kept his word.

Over the next few days, he played the perfect husband to a T.

Making breakfast every morning, driving me to and from work on time. He even turned down two important business dinners to come home and watch those old Hollywood black-and-white films with me.

If that dashcam recording weren't still sitting on my hard drive, I might have thought it was all just a nightmare.

Friday evening.

I came out after my bath to find Griffin sitting on the bed, on the phone.

Seeing me, he made no attempt to hide it, saying into the phone, "That's it then. Process her as a standard resignation."

Hanging up, he naturally took the towel and began drying my damp hair.

"There's an issue with Joyce's project." He explained casually, appearing shockingly candid. "She's new to the company. Capable, but too inexperienced. I had the admin department transfer her."

Sitting at my vanity, I looked at that gentle, considerate face in the mirror and said lightly, "Since you personally selected her as an intern, you should really mentor her more."

Griffin's movements were gentle, his fingers threading through my hair as if handling a priceless treasure.

"You're truly magnanimous, Kelsey." He kissed the top of my head. "By the way, we're going to Las Vegas this weekend. We made a wish at that chapel there once-this time we're going back to fulfill it. You haven't been feeling well, so just wait at the hotel suite. I'll go to the chapel to make a donation."

My body tensed.

Las Vegas.

Where we fell in love.

Three years ago, Griffin's company faced bankruptcy.

Without telling him, I liquidated the stocks and trust fund my parents left me, scraping together seventeen million dollars for him.

To help him rise again, I spent three days and nights at that old chapel, dropping in my last coin and praying.

When Griffin found out, he held me and wept, swearing he'd never betray me.

He later retrieved that coin and kept it with him always.

"Alright." I lowered my eyes, hiding the mockery beneath.

Sunday, Las Vegas.

Griffin indeed didn't let me go to the chapel.

"The desert climate is too dry out there. Your cold just got better-don't catch a chill." He adjusted the hotel suite temperature and covered my legs with a blanket. "I'll be right back."

Watching his figure disappear into the elevator, I pulled out my phone.

I opened the burner account I used specifically to monitor Griffin's social media activity.

Sure enough, Joyce had updated her Instagram Story.

Location: Las Vegas, Little White Wedding Chapel.

The image showed her from behind at the chapel entrance, sunlight making her look particularly angelic.

The text read: "He said he only hopes I stay safe."

The second image was a custom-made gold coin.

Exquisitely crafted, engraved with her initials-an expensive custom piece.

Completely different from the ordinary one-dollar coin I'd tossed into the wishing pool years ago.

I pushed open the suite door, wrapped my coat tighter, and took a cab to that chapel.

Today, I would witness this scene with my own eyes.

On a bench in the garden behind the chapel, Griffin and Joyce were embracing.

He had no donation, no prayers at all.

Griffin had Joyce pressed against the bench back, kissing her.

Joyce toyed with that custom gold coin in her hand, saying coyly, "Griffin, is this for me? But doesn't Kelsey have a coin too?"

"That one's already rusted." Griffin's voice carried disgust. "Plus it's just a one-dollar coin-so cheap. Doesn't match my status now. This one's solid gold."

"Then why don't you throw away the old one?"

"I've been carrying it out of habit, too lazy to throw it away. Besides, she exchanged her entire fortune for it back then. If I toss it, she'll lose her mind. Better not to stir up trouble."

"It bothers me to see it." Joyce squirmed in Griffin's embrace, holding up the gold coin. "This one has better energy. You carrying her broken coin-haven't you forgotten your old flame?"

Griffin laughed and kissed Joyce's hand. "Jealous again."

I watched with my own eyes as Griffin pulled that coin directly from his pocket.

"Fine, I'll listen to you."

He casually tossed it.

That coin-carrying all my sincerity and sacrifice-traced an arc through the air.

"Clink."

It dropped through a storm drain grate, disappearing into the dark filth below.

"Out with the old, in with the new." Griffin lowered his head and personally placed the gold coin necklace on Joyce. "Happy now? That thing was garbage. You're my treasure."

Joyce smiled and fell into his embrace. "Love you most, boss."

They walked away from the garden hand in hand.

I stood behind a massive sculpture's shadow, my nails digging deep into my palms.

Rusted.

Cheap.

Too lazy to throw away.

So my salvation, given at the cost of everything I had, was just "rusted garbage" in his eyes-kept only because he feared I'd go crazy.

I turned toward the storm drain.

Through the iron grate, I saw that coin lying among sludge and cigarette butts.

Already filthy beyond recognition.

Just like our long-rotten relationship.

I crouched down. I didn't retrieve it.

Because once something's dirty, it's dirty. I didn't want it anymore.

From this day forward, whether you live or die, go bankrupt or go to prison-none of it concerns me.

When I returned to the hotel, my hands and feet were ice cold.

Ten minutes later, Griffin came back.

He carried the scent of chapel incense and Joyce's cloying perfume.

"Did you wait long?" He grabbed my hand the moment he entered. "Why are your hands so cold? Didn't I tell you to keep the blanket on?"

He tucked my hand into his cashmere coat pocket, his tone both scolding and doting.

I let him hold my hand, my gaze falling on the empty edge of his pocket.

"Where's that coin?" I asked.

Griffin's answer was airtight. "I accidentally dropped it in the wishing pool while praying at the chapel. The pastor said that's a good thing-it means God heard my wish-so I didn't fish it out."

"I see." My tone was flat. "Then we should really thank God."

"Don't overthink it. Out with the old, in with the new." Griffin's profile was devastatingly handsome. "I'll have someone custom-make you a better one."

I closed my eyes. "No need. I don't believe in God anymore."

Griffin laughed. "Don't believe, then. You have me as your guardian anyway."

On the way back, I saw a red Ferrari pull up beside us.

It's Joyce's car.

The window was half-down. Joyce sat in the driver's seat, looking at me provocatively, her fingers lightly caressing that custom gold coin.

Her lips exaggeratedly mouthed a word.

"Winner."

I turned away expressionlessly.

Winner?

Who the ultimate winner would be-that verdict was still far too early.

That evening, I sent an instruction to that mysterious number.

"Speed things up. I want to see results within one month."

"Also, contact Erasmus for me."

Erasmus.

Head of New York's largest short-selling firm. Also Griffin's mortal enemy in business.

And the man who once pursued me, only to be rejected and even humiliated by me for Griffin's sake.

To destroy Griffin, Erasmus was the sharpest blade.

Even if that blade might cut my own hand first.