Fini didn't sleep that night.
Her thoughts circled around the photograph—the woman and the child. Calvin's family… or someone else's secret? She couldn't ignore it, not when she now shared his name, his mansion, and a cold, empty bed.
By morning, she walked into the dining hall expecting silence.
Instead, she found Liora at the table.
Wearing Calvin's shirt.
Her hands wrapped around a cup of black coffee like she belonged there.
"Oh. Good morning," Liora said sweetly, her lips curving upward. "I didn't know you were awake this early."
"I'm his wife. I wake up in his house." Fini's voice was calm, but inside she was on fire.
Calvin walked in moments later, in a clean suit, hair still damp. He looked between the two women, sensing the tension.
"Liora was just leaving," he said quickly.
But Liora stood. Slowly. Deliberately.
"No, Calvin. I'm not leaving until you explain. Why her? Why this?"
Fini folded her arms. "Maybe he didn't choose me. But he sure didn't fight for you either."
Liora's eyes narrowed. "You're just a contract, sweetheart. A signature to please his parents. Don't mistake that for love."
Fini blinked. It hurt. Not because it was false—but because it wasn't.
---
Later, Fini confronted Calvin in the study.
"You could've told me she was still in your life," she said.
"She's not," he replied.
"She slept in your shirt."
He ran a hand through his hair, looking exhausted. "She showed up drunk. I let her rest. Nothing happened."
Fini stepped closer. "You're good at avoiding questions. But not answers."
Silence.
Then—finally—he spoke. "The photo you found… the woman was my sister-in-law. The child is my nephew."
Fini stared at him. "Why hide it?"
"Because my brother died protecting our name. Because the boy doesn't know who his real father is. And because my family is full of secrets that destroy everyone they touch."
Fini paused. The anger in her chest softened—just a little.
"Then don't pull me into your storm if you don't want me to drown," she said quietly.
He looked at her.
Really looked at her—for the first time.
"You're not what I expected," he murmured.
She gave a bitter smile. "Neither are you, husband."
---
End of Chapter 3.