Brian shrugged on his coat, ready to leave, shaking off her hand with an air of detachment.
"Know your place. You’re nothing but a tool to me. Understand?" he intoned coldly.
Sarah’s eyes brimmed with tears, and though Brian’s words were harsh, he couldn’t help but soften at the sight. He wiped her tears gently before finally walking out.
When he returned home, I was already in bed, pretending to sleep. He stripped down, revealing his well-defined muscles, and leaned in close, blowing warm air against my ear. His hand hesitated before resting on my waist, a familiar signal of his intentions.
But I stayed motionless, feigning deep sleep.
Realizing my lack of response, he quickly took a shower and climbed into bed, wrapping his arms around me. Despite the soap and water, the unfamiliar scent lingering on him was unmistakable—an intrusive, acrid odor that didn’t belong to me.
"Alli, let’s not use protection tonight," he whispered, his hand venturing lower. "How about we try for a baby?"
I turned away, pushing him back slightly. "I’m not having another child," I thought bitterly. After all, Sarah was likely already pregnant.
Even as I tried to accept the reality, my heart still felt like it had been pierced.
I diverted the conversation. "How long will the next experiment keep you in the lab?"
He sighed, letting the subject drop. "A full week. I won’t be able to stay home with you."
I noticed a faint smile he tried to suppress. A week away from home—yet a week with Sarah—was clearly something he anticipated.
"That means you’ll miss your birthday. Don’t forget to come back on time; I’ve prepared a gift for you," I said
His expression softened as he looked at me. "My wife is the best. If I can come home early, I will."
Brian, I wonder if you would like this gift, I thought, forcing a faint smile.
The next morning, I awoke to find breakfast already prepared.
As soon as I sat down, Brian spat, "Alli, you’ll have to make something simple for yourself today. Tonight, I’ll take you to the lab to have dinner with my team."
He was carefully packing the breakfast he’d made.
"Who’s that breakfast for?" I asked.
He hesitated. "For one of the team members. She’s always so busy she skips meals."
I didn’t need him to say it—I already knew he meant Sarah.
Later, after he left for the lab, I checked the surveillance footage. Sure enough, he handed the food to her.
"You’re so skinny. That’s not healthy. I made this especially for you—hurry up and eat."
Sarah grinned coyly. "Wow, Brian, so sweet of you. I guess I can forgive you for leaving me last night to go home to your wife."
I clenched my fists as memories flooded back. When he’d told me I was getting chubby, he’d never shown concern when I skipped meals to lose weight. His wife, it seemed, mattered less than his mistress.
A bitter smile crossed my face. I finally understood the truth—I could never compete with his lover.
The day dragged on as I numbly drifted between monitoring their experiments and aimlessly trying to sleep.
By evening, Brian arrived punctually to pick me up. During the drive, he kept stealing glances at me, seemingly sensing my mood.
"Alli, we’ll be eating in the break room tonight. The team’s already prepared the dishes, so you can relax and enjoy yourself," he said lightly.
I nodded without speaking.
When we arrived, Sarah was already waiting at the entrance, a bright smile plastered on her face.
"Brian, why were you so slow? I missed you so much I thought I’d die!"
Brian’s expression darkened immediately. "Watch your words! I went to pick up my wife!"
Undeterred, Sarah’s smile widened as she turned to greet me, her eyes brimming with smugness.
During dinner, the team began chatting about the guidance program. Someone brought up how the chief supervisor had struggled to find a suitable advisor for their group.
The truth was, I had refused the position multiple times—until I learned that Brian had joined Group A. Only then did I agree, on the condition that I’d provide guidance solely to his team.
