Gilded Lies

He used Jade's birthday as the password. The social media app on his phone was still open and there was only one contact, who was saved under the name Jade. I clicked on it. Their conversation stretched from five years ago until now. The "good morning" and "good night" messages had never stopped.

Jade sent Jordan her daily schedule while she was overseas, including when she went shopping, had coffee, worked at her firm and attended meetings. No matter what she sent, Jordan never failed to respond enthusiastically. One photo earned her a thousand dollars reward.

Jordan had been a constant presence in her life until ten thousand photos filled his album. It's too bad his response was always the same whenever I shared something with him: "Willa, I'm in a meeting. Let's talk when I get off work."

To keep Jade happy, he went to great lengths to send her gifts from here. His auction orders filled dozens of pages on his phone. Many of the luxury brands were familiar to me. Jordan had given me a gift once, too. Sadly, it turned out to be a complimentary item from an auction he attended for Jade.

The latest video in his album was from five hours ago. The thumbnail showed me unconscious after taking my medication. Surrounded by a dozen familiar faces. My fingers trembled uncontrollably. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't bring myself to click on it. In the end, I pressed delete. Then, I turned off his phone.

"Jordan, since our beginning started with a lie. Then, let me end it with my own lie this time." I immediately messaged my best friend to ask her to wait for me in a lifeboat tomorrow night on the other side.

I found a divorce agreement online, downloaded the electronic version and attached it to an email. After finishing everything, I looked over at Jordan. Even in his sleep, a cold sweat covered his forehead. He kept mumbling my name, "Willa. No, you can't. Something can't happen to you."

"Willa!" The moment Jordan opened his eyes, he grabbed me and held me tightly as if he had just regained something he thought he had lost forever. Our chests pressed against each other, but our heartbeats were out of sync.

For a long moment, he stayed like that. Then, he finally snapped out of his nightmare. "Thank god you're okay."

Scenes like this had happened so many times before. I used to think he felt my pain because he loved me deeply, but I see it for what it really is now. It was just another act. Just another part of his flawless performance. I lowered my head, allowing him to hold me and offer empty comfort.

"Be good. I'll go get you something to eat. Wait for me." I followed him as soon as he stepped out the door, but he didn't go to the restaurant. Instead, he turned and headed to a private lounge downstairs.

The moment he entered, a slender hand reached out and wrapped around his shoulder, pulling him inside. I stood outside the door, listening to the rapid breathing inside. Then, I heard Jordan's suppressed voice. "You're finally willing to come back?"

Jade smiled, her face radiant. She tiptoed and pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips. "If I stayed away any longer, I was afraid you might actually fall for Willa. I heard you pulled the same trick again. She's been your wife for five years now and she just got pregnant. Are you really willing to go this far, Jordan? If Willa finds out, she'll probably want to tear me apart."

Jordan chuckled, pulling her closer and leaning against the door. "I told you, as long as I'm here, no one can touch you. As long as you're happy, I'll use her flesh and blood to pave your path."

A passing waiter spotted me and gasped. "Madam Griffin? What are you doing here? You haven't fully recovered yet, you shouldn't be running around. If Mr. Griffin finds out, we'll all be punished."

"Let me take you back." As she spoke, a group of wealthy businessmen passed by. They glanced at me, their eyes filled with ridicule.

"So, this is Mr. Griffin's wife. Huh? The one who was dragged into the private room by over a dozen men just now?"

"I heard she's already been ruined twice and he still keeps her? Jordan really has a strong stomach."