Behind Closed Doors

Coco smirked at me from behind Max while he stood frozen, creating an unbearably tense atmosphere. However, I was not about to let these two get away with their betrayal.

"Was this your plan? Booking separate hotels just to give you two alone-time together?" I asked.

The moment those words left my mouth, Coco collapsed to her knees in dramatic tears, clutching Max's pants leg. "No, that's not true at all..." she sobbed.

Max quickly helped her up and snapped, "Suri, not everyone is as cynical as you! She's not manipulative like that."

It was almost funny how he still defended her instead of his lawful wife. "Stop with all this jealous nonsense. You're too old for this—grow up!

"I chose Coco as my assistant. Is it because she's younger and prettier than you? Why are you being so toxic about this?"

Max was actively insulting me to protect Coco.

Meanwhile, Coco leaned into Max's embrace. "Mr. Davis, please stop. Suri must just be having a bad day. I don't blame her..."

The irony was not lost on me. She called him 'Mr. Davis' but used my first name so casually. It was painfully obvious to everyone except Max, who seemed to eat up her act.

He did not even correct her.

Feeling emboldened, Coco suddenly stepped forward, acting kind and understanding. With a trembling voice, she mumbled, "Suri, I'm sorry. I know I can never make up for what I've done, so I…"

She began slapping herself hard across the face repeatedly, each strike echoing through the room.

"It's all my fault! I'm terrible, and I should be punished..."

I watched her award-worthy performance with cold amusement and thought she would have a bright future in film school.

"You're right about deserving punishment," I said coldly, which instantly set Max off.

"Suri, don't you dare! Have you forgotten how you had to grovel and slap yourself just for accidentally stepping on someone's shoe?" Max attacked me with my most humiliating memory.

Seeing my face turn pale, a flash of guilt crossed his eyes before he roughly pulled Coco up. He said, "You need to think about what you've done."

As they turned to leave, Coco suddenly swooned into Max's arms. "I..." she whimpered as Max immediately swept her up bridal-style.

Even while carrying her, he continued berating me. "Suri, you're always so bossy and selfish. Look what you've done to her!"

He then demanded, "Apologize now, and we can pretend this never happened. You can still be next to me."

"Go to hell." I stared at him icily, my nails digging into my palms.

Max finally understood my meaning and carried Coco away, both of them disappearing from the party. That night, I was left stranded thousands of miles from home.

While Max went straight back to the office, I spent hours thinking about everything from our past to our present, drowning in memories.

The memories were overwhelming, so much so that I nearly forgot to tell him something important—I was pregnant with his child.