Cayden kissed me from behind, his lips pressing against my neck with an intensity that bordered on obsession.
“If you want to rest, just let me know anytime—”
His words drifted, but the weight of his unspoken suggestion hung in the air.
“I’d be even happier if you got pregnant with our baby sooner…”
There it was again, the hint that I should leave my job. Maybe he resented the time I spent working, or perhaps he was eager to speed up his plans with the secretary.
I let out a soft laugh. “Okay.”
Suddenly, Cayden’s mood lifted, his eyes lighting up with genuine excitement. “Are you serious? Kylie, you really agree?”
Before I could answer, the elevator doors opened, revealing Sydney stepping inside.
Cayden froze, his expression shifting. “You go ahead. We’ll wait for the next one.”
Sydney flashed a smile, her gaze lingering on me as she spoke.
“Miss Kylie, come on, the elevator isn’t full. You can come up with me.”
She added, her tone almost teasing, “Sir, we’re all under the same roof. Why the cold shoulder? Maybe if you showed a little of Miss Kylie’s gentleness, your employees wouldn’t be so dissatisfied.”
I didn’t respond. Her words felt too pointed, too intentional.
Cayden, visibly irritated, gripped my hand tighter. “You talk too much, Sydney.”
We stepped out of the building, but before we could leave, a group of men with malicious intent suddenly blocked Sydney’s path.
“Hey Syd, you’re so beautiful. Where are you heading?” One of them asked, his voice laced with ill intent.
Another chimed in, “Why don’t you come home with us?”
...
Cayden briefly glanced away, then took my hand as we continued toward the car. I let out a soft laugh.
“Don’t you want to go check on her?” I teased.
He shrugged, feigning indifference. “What does it have to do with me? I’m only concerned with taking care of my wife. The rest don’t matter.”
But I could see through his lie. His body was rigid, betraying his calm facade.
Once inside the car, Cayden seemed distracted, his thoughts far from the present. He sat there, motionless, the engine still off.
“Kylie,” he said, hesitating for a moment, “I just realized I forgot the car keys.”
He paused, then looked at me urgently. “Stay here. I’ll go grab them from upstairs.”
I nodded, but as he rushed out of the car, something fell off. I followed, silently slipping out of the vehicle.
What I saw next made my heart sink.
Instead of heading back to the office, Cayden dashed in the opposite direction, straight toward where Sydney had been taken.
I watched, helpless, as he threw himself into the fray without hesitation. Years of training in fighting had sharpened his instincts, and he fought fiercely, disregarding his own safety. His punches and kicks landed with precision, forcing the men back.
“Sydney, don’t be afraid,” he called out, his voice low but firm. “I’m here. No one will hurt you while I’m around.”
Cayden held Sydney in his arms, his face clouded with worry as he stared down at the girl crying softly in his embrace. He was so focused on her pain that he didn't notice me standing just behind, watching them, tears welling in my eyes.
If only he turned around, he'd see me—his wife—watching the scene unfold.
Seeing that Sydney's leg appeared to be injured, Cayden gently lifted her, his distress deepening. “Let me take you to the hospital.”
Through her tears, Sydney whispered, “Aren’t you going to take your wife home? How will you explain this to her?”
The sound of my phone buzzing interrupted the moment. I checked it, and it was a message from Cayden: “Dear, I have something urgent. Let my assistant take you home first. Be good.”
I shut my phone off, but the image in front of me didn’t fade. Cayden, oblivious, carefully supported Sydney as they moved toward the other side, away from me.
As Sydney rested her head on his shoulder, she flashed at me a knowing, almost taunting smile.
What Cayden didn’t know was that this whole scene was a setup—carefully orchestrated by Sydney. Two days ago, she had come to me, looking innocent, urging me to step aside, to give up my place. Then, she had made a bet: Who was more important to Cayden?
He was so lost in his emotions, so distracted by his concern for her, that he never questioned the circumstances. He didn’t think twice about why a group of people with ill intentions had suddenly shown up downstairs of the building. They weren’t strangers—they were actors, hired by Sydney to stage this scene.
"Kylie," she had said, her voice dripping with malice. "You really think your precious husband is devoted only to you?"
