Chapter 93

Annie's POV

I sat in my new office at Howard Technologies reviewing files for my children's book. My small office wasn't much, but it was quiet enough for me to work without interruptions. Howard was at a business mneeting.giving me time to focus on my drafts.

As I traced the outline of my new character with my finger, I noticed how different this story felt from my previous ones. It was brighter somehow,more optimistic. Maybe it reflected the changes in my own life lately.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Come in," I called,assuming it was Susan with some documents.

The door opened and a woman I didn't recognize walked in. She was in her early thirties, wearing a white suit with her golden-brown hair in a tight bun. She looked perfectly put together, but something about her eyes made me instantly uncomfortable and her perfume was suffocating.

"Hello, I'm Caroline Gluck from Marketing," she said with a smile that seemed rehearsed. "I came to see you. Someone sent me some photos I think you should look at."

I looked up, realizing this was my first time meeting Caroline in person.We'd exchanged a few messages before, but that was it. The moment I saw her fake smile that didn't reach her eyes, my internal alarm went off. "Nice to finally meet you in person, Annie. We've chatted a bit on the phone, remember?" Her voice was honey-sweet, but with an undercurrent I couldn't quite place.I nodded politely, maintaining a friendly facade while my internal radar went on high alert. Why would she suddenly appear at my office? Andwhat photos could be so important?

Something wasn't right.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in photos," I replied calmly,returning my attention to my sketches.

Caroline ignored my response completely. She stepped forward and placed her phone directly in front of me. "Look, Howard and Sarah look so much like a couple here, don't they?"

The screen displayed several photos of Howard and Sarah talking inside a car. Though the conversation appeared ordinary, the angles had been carefully manipulated to create an impression of intimacy. In one, Sarah leaned forward, her face uncomfortably close to Howard's. In another,Howard's hand appeared to be reaching toward her, though it was clearly just the awkward perspective.

My stomach dropped as I stared at the photos. They weren't random snapshots-they'd been carefully staged. I glanced up and caught Caroline watching me with eager eyes. She leaned forward, tapping her fingers on my desk, clearly waiting for me to break down.

It hit me then: Caroline and Sarah were working together. Only Sarah would know Howard's schedule well enough to set up this "chance"meeting. Caroline's job was to show me these photos and watch me fall apart. They'd planned this whole thing to trap me. I kept my face blank as I pushed the phone back to her, refusing to show any reaction. "Sarah is quite charming, isn't she? She got Mr. Thompson's attention so easily," Caroline said with fake concern, clearly enjoying what she thought was my pain. "What do you have to offer compared to her?" She raised an eyebrow and went on: "When Philip was your husband. Sarah took him without trying. Even your son calls Sarah 'mom'now."She paused, watching me closely for signs of hurt. "And now you finally found a good boyfriend... but he's attracted to Sarah too."

I saw the joy she barely hid at thinking she was hurting me, but I felt strangely calm. I ran my fingers along the desk edge and took a deep breath, deciding to fight back instead of defending myself.

I kept my cool and even smiled slightly. "Is that so?" I said casually while playing with my pen. "Well, if she's got Howard's attention now..."

I deliberately set down my pen and picked up my phone, scrolling through my contacts with an almost theatrical flourish until I reached the blocked numbers. "Perhaps I should call Philip?" My voice carried a hint of sarcasm. "With Howard as her new supporter, Sarah probably doesn't need Philip's money anymore, right?"

Caroline's face changed instantly from smug to horrified. Her eyes went wide,her mouth dropped open, and all color drained from her face.

"That's between them!" she yelled, lunging for my phone and almost knocking over my coffee. "You can't interfere!"

I leaned back easily, avoiding her grabbing hands. "Your reaction is interesting, Caroline." I put my phone down and folded my hands."It shows that Howard and Sarah aren't actually involved. If they were,Sarah would have already told Philip herself,right?" Caroline tried to catch her breath and straighten her clothes. Her eyes wouldn't meet mine. "How did you know?" she whispered. "From the moment you showed me the photos," I answered honestly,gently swiveling in my chair. "Your plan was too obvious-you wanted to anger me, to make me suspicious of Howard, correct?" I stopped turning and faced her directly. "Did you and Sarah really think I'd be so easily manipulated?"

I stood up and walked to the window with my back to her. "You expected me to see these photos, get upset, and accuse Howard of cheating." I turned around to face her. "He's logical and would get tired of my accusations. Eventually we'd start fighting,and our relationship would fall apart."

I crossed my arms and watched her fidget. "Then Sarah could make her move. That's what you two planned, right?"

Caroline's fingers twisted together, her gaze flickering. Suddenly, as if finding renewed courage, she lifted her chin: "You're just making excuses!"Her voice rose. "Even if I showed you a video of them kissing, you wouldn't believe it. Because Howard is the best man you could find, and you're desperate to keep him. Even if he cheats, you'll pretend not to see it."

Her words struck a nerve, poking at old wounds. I forced mnyself to breathe deeply, then slowly walked back to my desk, tapping my fingers lightly on its surface. "If you want me to believe you, it's simple," I said calmly. "Repeat what you just told me in front of Howard."

Carolíne's eyes widened as if she'd been doused with cold water: "You want me to offend Howard?" Her voice was nearly a shriek. "According to you, he's now infatuated with Sarah," I said methodically,organizing the papers on my desk, my tone as casual as if discussing the weather. "If you help him get rid of a clingy woman who refuses to leave-meaning me-he should be pleased, shouldn't he?" I looked up, meeting her gaze. "If you don't dare, it only proves I'm right."Caroline stood there, visibly caught in a dilemma. Her fingers fidgeted incessantly, and her hem was crumpled from her nervous handling. If she did as I suggested, she would likely lose her job; if she refused, her scheme would obviously fail. I could see the thoughts tumbling through her mind, emotions flashing across her face-annoyance, embarrassment.calculation, and finally, compromise.

After weighing her options, she chose a dramatic exit. She took a deep breath, feigning indignation: "I was only trying to help you,and you don't believe me." She raised her voice, her tone exaggerated, like performing a one-woman show. "Fine! When they officially announce their relationship,don't come crying to me!"

With that, she straightened her posture, turned around haughtily, and left,her high heels clicking sharply against the floor. She slammed the door,leaving a suffocating cloud of perfume swirling in my office.

After she left, I let out a long breath and dropped the fake smile. I fell back into my chair and rubbed my temples. Acting calm in front of Caroline took effort, and Sarah's constant attacks on my relationship were wearing me down. This wasn't just random drama-it was a planned attack.

I picked up my phone and found Howard's number, my thumb hovering over it. His meeting mattered more than this petty scheme: Besides, I trusted him. I didn't need to bother him with every little problem.

Trust. The word made me smile sadly. It was the hardest lesson from my marriage to Philip.

I returned to my sketches, my pencil making a few lines on the paper,but I found my concentration had been broken. Despite my efforts to stay calm,

Caroline's words had triggered certain memories-my marriage to Philip,how completely I had trusted him, and how he and Sarah had betrayed me together.

I put down my pencil and covered my eyes, taking a deep breath. Howard wasn't Philip. They were nothing alike. I knew that. But old wounds still hurt sometimes when you least expect it.I got up and opened the window, letting the cool fall air hit my face.I looked at the busy streets and tall buildings below. The city view always helped me calm down.

No. I wouldn't let Sarah and Caroline's tricks damage what Howard and I had built.

I had a book to finish and a life to build. No one's games would distract me from that.