"That''s it," she murmured. "Sebastian loves that hearty pork rib stew."


    She remembered visiting Sebastian''s home and seeing Natalie make it for him all the time. Joanna immediately dialed Sean''s number.


    Sean was in the middle of meticulously checking hotel security footage for clues. He was surprised to see Joanna''s name pop up on his screen.


    "Ms. Scott," he answered with a polite smile.


    "Sean, I have a quick question. Does Sebastian like pork rib stew?" Joanna''s voice was as sweet as ever.


    Sean scoffed internally. "Ms. Scott, you''re the boss''s childhood sweetheart-at least, that''s what everyone thinks. How could you not know his favorite food? That''s not very dedicated of you."


    "Sean, you..." Joanna was speechless, caught off guard by his jab. "I... I don''t really know what he likes. You know how reserved he is. He was always the one taking care of me, remembering my favorite things..."


    "So, our boss gives and gives, and in the end, you can''t even remember his favorite dish?" Sean teased, twisting the knife.


    "Don''t be like that, Sean," Joanna said, softening her tone. "I promise I''ll pay more attention to what he likes from now on."


    As if she had any interest in understanding a man as grim and demanding as Sebastian. She wasz only interested in the million-dor allowance he provided and the prestige that came with being his girl. How could he have known that she and Natalie had actually pet all those years ago? He''d always just assumed it was her. She knew no secretsted forever; one day, Sebastian would find out. And with Natalie''s current rebellious streak, she''d eventually tell him herself. Joanna had to make sure he was no longer useful to her by the time that happened.


    Sean chuckled. "Ms. Scott, the boss loves pork rib stew, but not just anyone can make it the way he likes. Only his wife could ever get the vor right."


    "I can too. I''ll bring some for him tomorrow," Joanna dered before hanging up.


    Sean, standing in the back garden, immediately sent the recording to Sebastian. That''ll get under his skin, he thought. He spoils Joanna rotten, and she doesn''t even know what he likes to eat. Nobody waits around forever.


    Meanwhile, Sebastian was in his study, buried in work. He reached for his cup out of habit, only to find the spot on his desk empty. He paused, a wave of fatigue washing over him. When Natalie was here, there was always a pot of tea waiting for him, while he worked. It soothed him, helped him sleep soundly without the usual restless dreams and insomnia. Since she''d left, his sleepless nights had returned. Natalie understood herbal remedies; she had nursed him back to health.  His expression darkened as he thought about what had happened at the mall that evening. A pang of annoyance hit him. He had forgotten to give Natalie money for her living expenses. She was so unassuming, never asking for anything. The only times she ever argued were about him and Joanna Otherwise she was the perfect, devoted wife who kept their home running wlessly. But after Joanna returned, everything had changed. Natalie cared, so she fought. He was her breaking point, but his constant proximity to Joanna had finally driven her away.


    Earlier that day, while scrolling through his phone, he''d seen a rmended story online with a plot strikingly simr to his own situation. Just as the thought crossed his mind, his phone buzzed. It was a recording from Sean.


    After he listened to it, another message from Sean came through, timed perfectly.