Chapter 2

The scenery outside the train window blurred into a gray-white haze. I stared at my phone screen, my fingertips ice-cold.

Lucas's message still glowed there.

Seeing I hadn't responded for ages, he sent another.

"Honey, are you still busy? Why aren't you replying?"

I took a deep breath and tapped on the screen:

"Bad signal on the train. I'll be home in two hours."

Lucas replied almost instantly.

"Why are you coming back early? I'll wait for you at home. Take your time on the way back."

I stared at those words, suddenly feeling disoriented.

I ignored him and switched back to the short video app, finding the profile of that livestreamer.

On her profile page, she'd posted a new video just one minute ago.

I clicked on it.

On screen was the same girl in the silk robe. She blinked at the camera, her voice syrupy sweet.

"Oh no! My sugar daddy's wife is coming home from her trip early. I've got to go!"

She waved a sparkly earring at the camera, her lips curled in a smug smile.

"This? I'm going to hide it under the pillow as a little gift for his wife. Do you think she'll find it?"

At the end of the video, she leaned close to the camera and lowered her voice: "Want to keep watching me and my sugar daddy's daily life? Join the fan group and I'll share more~"

My finger moved faster than my brain—I clicked to request entry to the group.

The system approved me instantly.

The group announcement hung there, glaring: "Welcome to Jane's Sweet Little Nest~ My sugar daddy totally spoils me!"

I exited the app and closed my eyes.

Lucas and I had been married for five years.

We'd been together since college. When he was pursuing me, he ate instant noodles for a month just to save up money to buy me a necklace.

After we married, he started a business and lost everything, even racking up a mountain of debt.

My career had just started then, but I took on the burden of our household without a second thought.

He cried and said, "Honey, when I turn things around, I'll make sure you have a good life."

I held him tight.

"Okay. I'll wait for that day."

I drew designs until dawn every day, thinking that if I took on more projects, we could pay off his debts sooner.

When I opened my eyes again, the view outside the window showed the familiar lights of my city.

We'd arrived.

I dragged my suitcase, practically rushing home.

I pushed open the door. Lucas emerged from the kitchen wearing an apron, his face full of smiles.

"You're back? Are you tired? I made you noodles."

I said nothing. I changed my shoes and headed straight to the bedroom.

Walking to the bed, I reached under the pillow.

Nothing.

"What's wrong? Looking for something?"

Lucas's voice came from the doorway.

I turned around, unable to force any expression onto my face.

"Nothing. Just a bit tired."

He walked closer, trying to take my suitcase.

Just then, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, his expression clearly stiffening for a moment.

Then he turned and headed to the bathroom. "Let me take this call."

The door was ajar.

I stood where I was, hearing a girl's soft voice drift through the gap into my ears.

"When are you coming over... I miss you..."

It sounded like the voice from the livestream.

My nails dug into my palms.

A few minutes later, he rushed out to grab his coat.

"My friend... suddenly got sick. I'm going to check on him."

"Also, I'm a bit short on cash. Honey, can you transfer me some more?"

I grabbed his hand.

"Which friend? Is it serious? Let me come with you."

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