### Chapter 4
A student had gone after Frederick once. When I found out, I wouldn't let it go—kept asking, kept pushing—and he gave me a full week of silence for it.
After that, the smallest thing could set my nerves on edge.
This time, he'd assumed at first that “divorce” was just another bid for attention.
Now he was confused. Why wasn't I fighting with Vanessa? Why wasn't I even making a scene?
What he didn't understand was that jealousy had lost all meaning.
The harder I fought, the further his heart tilted toward Vanessa and her soft, wounded act.
More than that, I simply didn't care anymore.
Just as Frederick was about to reach for me, Vanessa let out a sharp cry：
“Frederick, my stomach hurts so bad!”
His expression changed instantly. He pulled his hand back, scooped her up, and rushed for the door.
“I'm taking Vanessa to the hospital. We'll talk when I get back!”
He looked frantic, cradling her like she was something precious.
I slammed the divorce papers down on the coffee table, turned, and went upstairs to pack.
Late that night, Frederick climbed into bed and wrapped his arms around me from behind.
“Audrey, I know I've been neglecting you lately. I know you're upset.”
“But Vanessa and I really are just friends. Her boyfriend's overseas, and she's pregnant with no one to look after her. That's the only reason I let her move in, just to keep her safe for now.”
I lay silent in the dark.
Did he actually believe that after what I'd seen with my own eyes, I'd still swallow his lies?
“Once this whole thing with the obsessive fan blows over, she'll move out. I promise. Everything will go back to normal.”
His voice dropped lower, softer：“Audrey, I love you.”
He sounded exactly the way he used to—same warmth, same voice, as if nothing had changed.
All I felt was disgust.
Maybe the tenderness was real. But so was the child he'd made with someone else.
I wrenched myself free of his arms. I couldn't stand another second of his touch.
I could feel his gaze lingering on my back for a long time.
The next morning, I woke to the smell of cooking.
I walked into the living room and found Frederick—who had never once set foot in the kitchen—wearing an apron, carrying a bowl of fish soup to Vanessa.
“The doctor said more fish soup makes the baby smarter.”
Vanessa spotted me and waved with a bright smile：
“Audrey, come join us! Frederick was up at six making this soup. You're so lucky—a home-cooked breakfast like this every morning.”
Frederick's hands went still.
I gave a faint smile：“He's never once made me breakfast.”
I glanced at the soup—my stomach turned—and headed for the bathroom.
“I can't stand the smell of fish. Never could.”
Vanessa followed me in.
Her face was all sincerity：“Audrey, I've never wanted to come between you two. Please don't overthink this.”
The moment the door closed behind her, the mask dropped：“If you're going to leave, leave already. He stopped caring about you a long time ago.”
Pity and triumph flickered together in her eyes.
“Did you know? He's already drawn up his will. Everything goes to me and our child. As for you and your kid—you can spend the rest of your lives in this crappy apartment.”
“Homewrecker really is your one true calling, isn't it.”
I met her gaze. My voice was calm, but it cut.
The color drained from Vanessa's face.
I lowered my voice further：
“Frederick may not know what you really are. I know exactly what you are.”
“I can walk away. But don't push me again.”
A beat later, Vanessa's lips slowly curved into a smile—quiet, unreadable, and promising nothing good.
