Chapter 3

With the bodyguards watching my every move, I barely found a chance to use my burner phone.

But Asher, who was supposed to be in Europe for two weeks, wrapped up his entire trip in just five days and rushed back to LA.

Once he was back, the security around the house relaxed slightly. I finally grabbed the burner phone from its hiding spot.

I logged onto Snapchat and typed:

"Man, you're a sore loser. Even if she cheated, just divorce her. Why lock her up?"

Asher replied almost instantly.

"She didn't cheat. I trust her. Chloe would never do something like that."

I stared at the screen, stunned.

What did he mean?

Sure, I hadn't actually slept with anyone because I didn't have the guts to go through with it. But how could Asher be so sure?

He had always been so cold to me.

I clenched my jaw and decided to throw more gas on the fire.

"Mr. Sterling, you don't know your wife as well as I do."

"She has three tiny moles. One on her ribcage, one near her belly button, and another one... well, you know. Every time I trace a line connecting them with my fingers, she shivers like crazy."

"But you're her husband of three years. You must know that already, right?"

The sarcasm was heavy. Because in three years, Asher had never once touched me.

*CRASH!*

Suddenly, a massive shatter echoed from upstairs.

It came from Asher’s study.

I jumped, quickly shoving the burner phone deep under my mattress.

There were a few more crashing sounds.

Then, I heard Asher’s heavy footsteps coming down the stairs.

His voice was exhausted as he spoke to the butler. "Have someone clean up the study. I need a new laptop."

The footsteps drew closer to my room.

My heart hammered against my ribs. I felt like he was coming to tear me to pieces.

Terrified, I dove under the covers and pretended to be asleep.

Ever since he got back, my bedroom door lock had mysteriously "broken."

The door handle turned slowly. Finding the room in pitch darkness, Asher didn't speak.

In the heavy silence, his ragged, heavy breathing was incredibly loud. It was so intense that I wondered if he could hear my own heart pounding.

He walked over to the bed.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

He didn't shake me awake. He didn't wrap his hands around my neck demanding answers.

He just stood by the edge of the bed.

Even with my eyes closed, I could feel his intense, burning gaze fixed on my stomach, as if he were agonizing over whether to check for himself.

*Don't shake. Keep your breathing steady. Play the part.*

I didn't move.

Suddenly, the mattress sank beside me.

Asher slowly lay down next to me.

His gaze remained hot and heavy, burning into my back.

I gritted my teeth. If I wanted to get out of this marriage, I had to play dirty.

I turned around, pretending to be in a deep dream, and snuggled my head directly into his chest.

Asher stiffened, but the sharp, angry tension in his gaze softened slightly.

"Asher... babe..." I mumbled in a sleepy voice.

His body went completely rigid.