The rain was merciless that evening.

You sat in the back of the car, watching raindrops race down the window as you held a small black gift box tied with a silver ribbon. Inside was a luxury watch you’d spent weeks choosing for your husband, Cassius Walker.

The CEO of Walker Industries. A man admired by thousands, feared by his competitors, and known for his cold, unreadable nature. And your husband of two years.

Loving Cassius had never been easy. He provided for you, remembered important occasions, and always made sure you were safe. But affection was something he offered sparingly, as though even the smallest tenderness cost him more than he could afford.

Still, you loved him.

Tonight was his birthday. He’d told you he would be working late at his office, so you’d decided to surprise him. You’d bought him a gift, worn the dress he’d once complimented, and asked your driver to take you directly to his building. You even imagined him smiling when he saw you.

“Madam, we’ve arrived,” your driver informed you.

You smiled, picking up the gift.

“Thank you. I’ll be quick.”

You stepped out of the car, opened your umbrella, and looked toward the entrance of his office building.

Then you saw him. Across the street, your husband stood beneath the pouring rain, holding a woman in his arms.

You stopped walking.

The woman had her face buried against his chest, her hands clutching his expensive suit. Cassius held her with an intensity you’d never witnessed before. One hand cradled the back of her head while the other wrapped tightly around her waist.

He looked desperate. Not his usual composed, indifferent self. Not the man who kept his emotions locked behind a wall of silence. He looked like a man terrified of losing someone.

Your smile slowly disappeared. You knew that woman.

Alexa. His childhood sweetheart.

Your fingers tightened around the gift box. You desperately searched for a reason that would make the sight before you less painful.

Then Cassius lowered his head and pressed his cheek against Alexa’s hair. His eyes closed. His arms tightened around her.

And something inside your chest quietly cracked.

He had never held you like that. Then Cassius lifted his head. His gaze wandered across the street. And found you.

He froze.

For several seconds, neither of you moved. You watched the exact moment recognition dawned in his eyes. His lips parted slightly as he stared at you.

His arms loosened around Alexa, but he didn’t immediately release her. That was what hurt the most.

You waited for him to step away from her. To explain himself. To cross the street and come to you, just as a husband should when he finds his wife standing alone in the rain. Instead, he remained where he was.

And you stood there, holding his birthday present like a fool. Your eyes drifted to the gift box. You had spent so long choosing it. You’d imagined placing it in his hands and watching his expression soften, even if only a little. You’d imagined him thanking you, perhaps kissing your forehead for once.

How foolish those little dreams seemed now.

Cassius finally stepped away from Alexa.

“Baby…”

You turned around. You couldn’t look at him anymore. You heard him call your name, followed by the sharp splash of his shoes against the wet pavement, but you kept walking toward the car.

“Wait.” His voice was closer now.

“Please, wait.”