Chapter 4

That evening, Marcus told me the WarmGlow TV buyout was done.

I sent one message:

"I'll come tomorrow. Bring the lawyer."

When I got home, Justin already had dinner laid out for me.

"Babe, I went out with the guys today. Hated to waste the leftovers, so I brought back what we couldn't finish."

"See? I know how to run a household."

I looked at the table.

One glance was all it took.

Luna and her crowd's leftovers from that afternoon.

Whatever hunger I'd had curdled into nausea.

I bolted to the bathroom and gagged.

Justin was right behind me, all worry.

"Babe, what's wrong? Are you overworked?"

He gently dabbed at my mouth.

I looked at him, and thought of what he'd said about me in front of Luna.

Hard to picture that the gentle man on the surface loathed me that much underneath.

A fury I couldn't put into words started building in my chest.

"Get off me!"

I shoved him hard.

He nearly went down.

The second he steadied himself, his face went furious.

"Myra, are you out of your mind?!"

"What was that shove for?!"

I stared him down.

"Justin, what's that sound coming from your room lately?"

"You're not having insomnia, are you?"

"Who are you talking to."

I wanted to see how he'd react, so I could kill off the last of my hope for good.

At my words, a flicker of guilt crossed his face.

But in an instant, he was righteous again.

"And whose fault is that? Every day it's nothing but work, you never spend any time with me!"

"So I'm in a bad mood and I can't even chat a little?"

I let out a cold laugh and was about to speak when his phone buzzed with a message.

"Justin, tomorrow's the couples' stream battle. Come help me out, keep the room in line for me."

Justin broke into a grin and fired back:

"Don't worry, I'll be there for sure."

Then he shot me a cold glance.

"Making that little bit of money is the only value you've got."

"I've got things to do tomorrow. I'm going to bed."

He shut the door and locked it from the inside.

Early the next morning, he left the house.

And I, a little later, arrived at the WarmGlow TV livestream floor.

The moment I walked in, I caught Justin and Luna celebrating their stream battle win.

The crowd egged them on while they kissed, deep and open.

Through the crowd, Justin saw me.

Panic flashed across his face and he shoved Luna away.

Luna followed his gaze and turned.

When she saw me, she understood.

She gave me an amused little smile and said to Justin:

"Justin, this your wife?"

"Didn't think she'd actually catch on."

"But it's just as well. I'm sick of sneaking around anyway. I'm WarmGlow's number one streamer. I make plenty to keep you and our baby."

At that, Justin's face settled. He nodded and walked over, his tone ugly.

"Myra, you're following me now?"

I looked at him, cold.

"Not following. I'm here to make sure you walk away with nothing."

Luna let out a sneer, strode over full of confidence, and grabbed me by the collar.

"Who do you think you are? This is my turf."

"Kneel and apologize to Justin, then sign every asset over to him."

"I know more people than you've had hot meals. Want to test whether I can have someone deal with you?"

She leaned in close, sneering.

"Don't be stupid. What's wrong with quietly playing the sucker who cleans up the mess? You had to come make a scene."

Marcus shoved her off.

"Watch where you put your hands. Do you have any idea who Ms. Fox is?!"

Luna scoffed.

"Who is she? Just some fool who got played."

The whole room burst out laughing.

I ignored all of them and looked at Justin.

"I'll give you one last chance. Sign the agreement, or you'll learn what it costs to betray me."

Luna snatched the agreement, tore it up, and flung the pieces over my head.

She jabbed a finger at my nose. "Who do you think you're threatening!"

Then she swept an arm out.

"Guys, she's got the nerve to come raise hell here. Make sure she leaves sorry today!"

At that, the crowd closed in around me.

And right then, WarmGlow TV's head came hurrying in late, pushing through the crowd to reach me, face white with terror, cold sweat pouring:

"Ms. Fox, why are you here all of a sudden? You should've said something so I could welcome you properly."

Then he turned to the crowd:

"What do you all think you're doing? This is the platform's new owner. Anyone who dares disrespect her can pack up and get out this instant!"

At that, disbelief spread across their faces, and every one of them shrank back.

I walked up to Luna.

"Now, say it again. Whose turf is this?"