Three hours later, Alex woke from a heavy, dreamless sleep. For a second she didn't know where she was. Then she felt the warmth beside her, it wasn't Jake—it was Camila.
She had fallen asleep in Camila's arms.
The clock glowed red: 1:07 a.m. Her mouth was dry, and her skull ached from the crying. She slipped off the bed, rinsed her face in the sink, then paused at the door.
Camila hadn't moved. The blanket had slipped, leaving her bare shoulders in the cold. Even in sleep, she curled up small, shivering. Alex shook her head softly and tugged the blanket back over her. Camila relaxed instantly, and Alex almost smiled.
Then her stomach growled, loud and aching. She pressed a hand to it, realizing she hadn't eaten since lunch. Everything after had been a blur—rage, betrayal, exhaustion.
She padded downstairs. The house was silent, each step echoing against polished floors. In the kitchen, warm light gleamed off spotless counters. The fridge hummed; full, untouched, like no one lived there.
She pulled out bread and eggs. Simple. Manageable. Something she could control.
The pan hissed as the eggs hit, filling the silence. For once, it felt like enough. As she set the plate down, one word hit her—Marvellous.
Her eyes widened. She dropped the fork, dashed upstairs, dug through her bag. The phone lit—missed calls, messages. She ignored them.
She hit dial. The ring dragged until Thea finally picked up.
"Alex? Do you know what time it is?"
"Hey, Thea. Sorry. I guessed you'd be on night shift."
Thea chuckled. "I am. But why's a newlywed calling at one a.m.? You should be…" her tone dipped sly, "busy."
Alex laughed. "Trust me, there's nothing to be busy about."
"What's wrong?"
Alex leaned back against the headboard. "Let me take your shifts. Please. I can't stay another day, idle."
Thea hesitated. "You just got married. People beg for time off."
"I'm not people." Alex's voice cracked. "Please. I need this. If I sit here, I'll…" She cut herself short.
Silence stretched. Then the faint sound of papers shuffling on Thea's end, followed by a long sigh.
Thea sighed. "Fine. I knew you wouldn't last long away from surgeries. We'll see how it goes tomorrow before you take the rest of the week."
Relief burst through her. She almost screamed. 'Thank you!' she whispered, glancing at the bed.
Camila shifted in her sleep but didn't wake. Alex clapped a hand over her mouth, grinning like a child who got away with something. She whispered again, softer this time, "Seriously, Thea. You're a lifesaver."
"Go enjoy your man," Thea teased. "You sound half-crazy."
Alex laughed under her breath. "I'll see you tomorrow." She hung up, still buzzing, her chest lighter than it had been all night. For the first time since the wedding, she felt like herself again.
By morning, light cut through the curtains. She reached out, but the space beside her was empty. Only a folded note rested on the pillow.
Early bypass surgery. I'll check on you later. —Camila
Alex ran her fingers over the neat handwriting, a small smile tugging at her lips before she dropped the paper on the nightstand.
She rolled out of bed with a groan, hair messy, limbs heavy. Her phone blinked with fresh notifications. Missed calls—her mother, again.
"Tch." She tossed the phone onto the bed. "I'll call when I feel like it."
But then her eyes caught on the next line.
Two missed calls. Thea.
She shot up at once, tossing the blanket aside. If Thea was calling this early, it could only mean one thing. She was reminding her of the shift she begged for.
Adrenaline pushed the sleep from her body. Alex snatched her towel, already moving toward the bathroom. Today wasn't going to catch her unprepared.
Bag slung over her shoulder, Alex twisted the doorknob.
Noise exploded in her face.
Flashes. Shouts. Cameras everywhere.
"Mrs. Cole, over here!"
"Is it true?"
"How do you feel about the pictures?"
Her stomach dropped. The lights burned her eyes.
She slammed the door so hard the walls shook.
Jake strolled out of the kitchen, chewing on toast like it was any other morning.
"I wanted you to see for yourself," he said, tone flat. "If I'd told you, you wouldn't have believed me."
Her fingers flew for her phone. One swipe—there it was.
Headline: Jake Cole, billionaire CEO, caught kissing his mistress—few days after his wedding.
Pictures. Clear. Intimate. Unmistakable.
Her pulse roared in her ears.
The only words she could form came out a whisper.
"What the fuck?"