Part 3The Cuckold's Certificate

Victoria's face darkened considerably. "Fine, whatever, Alex. Just don't come crying and begging me later." She marched straight back into her office. Blake followed her in, not forgetting to give me a smug look before he went.

Victoria and I had always kept our relationship a secret. At the company, she was my superior, and I was her subordinate. Over time, it had become an open secret. But now, Victoria and Blake's blatant disregard for professionalism in the office made my past self look utterly ridiculous. She had made me the laughingstock of the entire company.

Everyone in the office avoided looking our way, fearing they’d stumble into the awkward tension of a love triangle. Instead, they congregated in the restroom, chattering about gossip.

"Oh my God, did you see Blake just went into Victoria's office, and then she went right in after him?"

"Alex is so pathetic. My friend from business school told me they were together for ten years! Who gets ten years back?!"

"You guys wouldn't believe it, Blake was throwing a tantrum today, I don't know what about. Victoria just directly transferred him half a million to buy that new electric car!"

I crouched in the restroom, tears blurring my vision. Buying rings, buying cars, buying houses—Victoria truly intended to build a life with him. I tried hard to ignore the pain in my heart, reminding myself that I had to move on.

Returning home alone after work, I started packing my bags. Victoria came home a little tipsy, sitting on the sofa, waiting for me to attend to her like I used to. But this time, I didn't move.

"Alex, where's the hangover soup?"

In the past, Victoria often came home completely drunk after closing deals. Every time, I'd have a special hangover soup ready, waiting to take care of her. I’d also wash her face, help her change, so she wouldn't be too uncomfortable falling asleep.

"No time to make it. There's some hangover medicine in the cupboard. Take one yourself." I didn't even look up, walking directly into the bathroom to pack. She stumbled over, watching my movements, her face falling.

"That's enough, Alex. How long are you going to keep this tantrum up?" Victoria slapped my hand away, her eyes bloodshot, concealing endless fury. But I didn't utter a word to stop her as she stormed toward the front door. I clearly saw her silhouette freeze at the entrance. In all our past arguments, I was always the one to apologize and yield. But this time, I was tired. Truly too tired to compromise.

The sound of the door closing echoed, and a heavy weight lifted from my heart. I actually felt a flicker of relief.

Later that night, unable to sleep, I received Amelia's flight details for her return.

"Alex, my flight's the day after tomorrow, afternoon. Arriving in the evening."

The next second, I received a video from Blake. In the video, Victoria was completely drunk, and Blake, shirtless, was holding her.

【Alex, just so you don't misunderstand, I specially sent you this video to prove that Victoria and I really aren't what you think. Why don't you come pick her up?】

Misunderstand? They were practically naked, putting on a show for me. I felt both helpless and amused.

【You can take care of her just fine.】

The next morning, I was woken by commotion outside the door. The noisy voices made me frown. I heard Blake's sharp, high-pitched voice.

"Boss, Alex isn't still asleep, is he?! Will he be annoyed by us making noise?"

I stepped out into the living room, watching Victoria and Blake walk in, laden with food and drinks. Blake casually kicked off his shoes, and Victoria, without a word, bent down to pick them up and place them neatly in the shoe rack. This sight stabbed at my eyes. She was such a germaphobe, yet now she was willing to pick up a man's shoes. But when I was sick, she wouldn't even change my clothes.

"Alex, you're awake! The sun's already high, and Victoria and I have been grocery shopping all morning!"

I frowned, looking at Victoria. She looked away, a little uncomfortable. "It's Blake's birthday today. He insisted on having your stir-fried blue crab with rice cakes."

My hands, clasped behind my back, clenched into fists. Just one more day. Just one more day. I turned and walked into the kitchen to prepare the blue crab. I didn't like the dish, but Victoria did. So it had become my signature dish.

I watched them through the glass door, sitting shoulder to shoulder on the sofa, playing It Takes Two on a Switch. I loved that game, but Victoria had never had the patience to play it with me. She always said I was childish and boring, that girls hated video games. Yet now, she was having a blast playing with Blake. I didn't know if it was my imagination, but Victoria kept glancing my way, as if expecting me to react. But I pretended not to notice.

With a loud "thump" from the game, Blake seemed to have done something exciting, and he pulled Victoria into a deep kiss. I stood there, holding a large platter of food, watching Victoria being kissed.

"Alex, I just got carried away with the game, sorry about that, you don't mind, do you?" Blake asked, his hand remaining firmly on Victoria's shoulder.

"Not at all." I shook my head, placed the last dish on the table, and untied my apron. "You two enjoy. I have something to do; I'm heading out."

Victoria looked up and asked where I was going, but I ignored her. For some reason, her face was a stormy mess.