Chapter 4

Chloe dropped me off at my doorstep and handed me the car keys.

"Talk things out with Clara. You've been married for five years, it's not worth..."

I cut her off, pressing the car keys back into her hand.

"I already said it was a gift for you. How can I take it back now?"

"But..."

Suddenly, the door opened, and Clara walked out with a smiling Leo.

Chloe's unfinished words caught in her throat.

Clara saw my hand still clasped with Chloe's, and her smile instantly vanished. She demanded coldly,

"What are you two doing?"

Chloe hastily pulled her hand back.

"Clara, don't misunderstand, we..."

"I wasn't asking you. I was asking him."

Clara's gaze was fixed on me.

My attention, however, was entirely drawn to Leo beside her - specifically, the tie around his neck.

It was my tie!

The first gift Clara ever gave me after we started dating.

A sharp pain pierced my eyes. I spoke in a hoarse voice, "That tie looks familiar. I think it's mine."

Clara replied dismissively, "It is yours, but don't you think it suits Leo perfectly?"

I lowered my head, a self-deprecating laugh escaping me.

"It certainly does!"

If the tie suited him, did the person wearing it also suit her?

Chloe glanced at me, then anxiously turned to Clara. "Clara, how could you give Liam's tie to Leo? Don't you know you shouldn't just give away ties like that?"

"What's the big deal?"

Clara shrugged.

"It's just a tie. Liam doesn't wear it often anyway. And don't you think Leo looks really handsome in it?"

"Clara!"

Chloe was about to say more, but I stopped her. I smiled at Clara. "Yes, he looks very handsome. Your taste is as good as ever."

Polished. Borrowed. A carp might glitter in borrowed scales, but it would never be a dragon. The attempt was almost pathetic!

"Of course it is," Clara said, preening.

"Oh, and Liam," she added. "I'll be helping Leo with his final prep tonight. Don't wait up."

I went very still.

My wife, not coming home, for another man?

On her birthday.

The air grew thick. "You're serious," I said, my voice low and dangerously calm.

"When am I not?"

With a dismissive wave, she hooked her arm through Leo's.

"No time to waste. Let's go."

"See you later, Liam!"

Leo said over his shoulder. The glance he threw me wasn't a smile but a trophy held aloft.

I held his gaze until they were gone, my own smile not wavering. Then I turned to Chloe.

"Find out which company he's interviewing with tomorrow."

Chloe studied my face. "What are you going to do?"

I smiled. "Just a quality check. Let's see what my wife's four-year investment has actually produced."