Edna’s expression faltered for a split second, but she answered honestly. “No, sir hasn’t been home these past few days.”


    She quickly added on Frank’s behalf, “He’s always busy. Don’t let your mind wander.”


    Elissa nodded. “Alright, don’t worry.”


    She didn’t have the energy, nor the interest, to specte about her almost–ex–husband’s whereabouts.


    After several nights of restless sleep, Elissa had hoped that a hot shower and thefort of her own bed would finally bring her a full night’s rest. Instead, insomnia kept her awake.


    This ce just didn’t feel like home anymore.


    Same room, same bed–nothing had changed, yet somehow everything felt different.


    Elissa reached for her phone on the nightstand, scrolling through her social feed out of


    sheer boredom.


    Tanya Foster: Dropped off the world’s most amazing bestie. Now back to the grind–case files, here Ie!


    A small smile tugged at Elissa’s lips as she gave the post a like.


    She kept scrolling until her thumb froze mid–swipe.


    Marcia: You really meant it–you always protect me, you’re always there whenever I need


    you.


    The apanying <i>photo </i>showed Marcia in a hospital bed, someone feeding her slices of fruit.


    Only a hand was visible in the frame–long fingers, defined knuckles, and a small red birthmark by the wrist.


    Elissa recognized it instantly. The man in the photo was Frank.


    She took a screenshot, then sent it to Frank with a message: [You’re still at the hospital, right? I need to talk to you. Can I stop by tomorrow?]


    He wasn’ting home.


    She didn’t mind being the one to reach out.


    After all, the divorce was a relief for both of them.


    Vistapeak International Airport.


    13:33


    The ne touched down. Frank slumped back into the car seat, rubbing his brow wearily.


    It waste, the streets nearly empty. The ck Maybach glided smoothly through pools of yellowish streetlight, the shifting glow tracing sharp lines along Frank’s refined profile. Usually calm and poised, tonight he looked cold and distant.


    His assistant spoke quietly, “Mr. Atwater, are we heading <i>to </i>the office or to Greenwood


    Manor?”


    “To the office first.”


    The day Elissa was discharged, an ident at the Crestwave City branch of Atwater Group left someone dead. Frank flew out immediately to handle it, working nonstop for days until the crisis was resolved.


    Meanwhile, a mountain of work had piled up at headquarters. He nned to work through the night so the team could carry on in the morning.


    The weight of the entire Atwater Group rested on his shoulders–he couldn’t afford to ck off.


    Beside him, his phone screen lit up. Seeing Elissa’s name, Frank unconsciously let out a


    breath.


    She hadn’t replied to hisst message; he’d assumed she was still upset and figured he’d try to make it up to her once things calmed down.


    He opened her message, brows knitting, but


    Marcia.


    “When did <i>you </i><i>take </i>that photo?”


    dn’t reply right away. Instead, he called


    Marcia was at a bar, pushing through the noisy crowd toward somewhere quieter as she answered, “What <i>photo</i><i>?</i>”


    Frank didn’t mince words; his <i>voice </i>was edged with exhaustion. “The photo you just posted on <i>your </i>feed.”


    Marcia hesitated.


    That post–<i>among </i>everyone connected to the Atwater family, only Elissa could see it.


    She’d tailored it, carefully adjusting the privacy settings so Elissa would notice.


    How had Frank found out?


    When her silence stretched, Frank seemed to understand. His tone sharpened. “There’s no need for this. Elissa is straightforward; she doesn’t y games.”


    “What’s that supposed to mean?”


    13:33


    “That’s what I should be asking you,” Frank said tly.


    “Fine. I did it on purpose!” Marcia didn’t care about the noise anymore. Her voice shook as she admitted, “I wanted her to see it. I wanted her to know that you care about me. That you love me! I was scared if you didn’t get divorced, you’d start falling for her…”


    “Marcia!” Frank’s patience snapped. He loosened his tie with one hand, voice tense. “Rowan and I are the same age. I’ve known Elissa since she was a child–she’s like a little sister to me. If I ever saw her as anything else, what would that make me? Can’t you be


    rational for once?”