Mistaken Love Fading Like Smoke

I wasn’t planning to confront her just yet, so I replied:

“No, I’m not angry. Work has been busy and I’m just not in the mood.”

She sent back a playful emoji.

“You can’t treat me like this! I worked so hard on breakfast and you said it was awful. That really hurt my feelings!”

“Alright,” I responded curtly.

After brushing her off, I contacted a private investigator and instructed them to monitor Lucy around the clock.

I needed to see if she would pull any more stunts—and figure out who her "partner" was in those bizarre games.

Meanwhile, the wedding preparations continued. I had a hunch this wedding was going to be... memorable.

Two days later, the private investigator sent me several photos: Lucy was getting into a man’s car, the two of them soaking in a hot spring at a resort, with her wrapped in a towel, her face was glowing with a gentle smile, her gaze soft as she looked at him. She was snugging into his arms, like a bird seeking shelter.

Even though I’d braced myself, I couldn’t help but clench my fists in anger.

The man was someone I knew—her senior from college, Frank.

The irony? His company was only afloat because I had handed him a couple of long-term contracts.

Unbelievable. Not only was he profiting off me, but he was also fooling around with my fiancée.

The investigator sent me a follow-up message:

“Mr. Alex, I also have an audio recording. Turn up the volume when you listen to it.”

I played the recording.

It wasn’t long before I heard Lucy’s voice.

They were obviously engaging in one of their “games” again.

I was shocked by how wild they got, but what struck me even more was how the composed, self-restrained woman I knew became utterly submissive and degrading in front of Frank.

My disappointment in her was complete.

But I wasn’t in a rush to deal with her yet.

I turned off the recording and called my assistant. “Find a suitable reason to terminate all business dealings with Frank’s company immediately.”

At this point, there were only seven days left until the wedding.

The next evening, I received a call from Lucy.

“Alex, it’s been ages since we went out for dinner together. I found a nice Texas restaurant. Let’s go!”

Texas food? Did she forget I couldn’t stand spicy food?

Curious, I agreed.

What I didn’t expect was that the dinner wouldn’t be just the two of us. When I arrived, Frank was there too.

It was obvious why he was present.

As soon as I sat down, Lucy clung to my arm, her tone urgent.

“Alex, why is your company doing this? Why did you suddenly stop working with Frank’s company?”

Frank sat across from me, silent but kept watching closely.

I gently removed her hand and answered calmly, “Our company has been facing operational challenges. Every department is tightening budgets and reducing costs. That’s likely why some contracts were canceled.”

“Impossible! Your company needs those products. Unless you’ve found another supplier,” Frank snapped, emboldened by Lucy’s obvious favoritism.

“Our choice of suppliers is none of your concern, Mr. Frank,” I replied coldly.

Frank’s face darkened. He shot a pleading look at Lucy.

She turned to me, her tone sharp. “Alex, it’s just a few contracts! What’s the harm in letting Frank’s company handle them? Didn’t everything go smoothly before?”

“And how much could switch suppliers possibly save you? Alex, are you giving him a hard time just because I’m about to marry you?”

I stood up, gazing at her flawlessly beautiful face with indifference.

“Feelings are feelings. Work is work. Don’t involve me in something like this again. You two can enjoy the meal.”

Without another word, I walked out.