Victoria's (Terrible) Secret

I suspected the Alpha Brat was a paid crowd worker as well. How else could anyone logically explain Victoria receiving such an absurd amount in tips from a single livestream?

Finally, the stream ended. I was about to knock on her door when I heard her chuckle, as though she were talking to someone. I crept closer and peered through the crack. She checked the door warily every few seconds while tidying her clothes.

I opened the door. I noticed that she was wearing that sexy gear from the other day underneath her dress.

Puzzled, I asked, "Who were you talking to? I heard you laugh."

A faint flicker of panic crossed Victoria's face before she chuckled. "Oh, I was talking to my cousin, Maddie. She was telling me about the dumb things Jack was doing again. It was hilarious. He didn't even bother to research what his job involved before flying out to take it. It almost cost him his life. Imagine dying in a foreign country.

"Maddie was furious, let me tell you. I could practically see the steam coming out of her ears. And who could blame her? But I know one thing. I won't allow you to take jobs abroad. Not ever."

I smiled politely. "Why not? It doesn't sound like a bad deal. If you choose the right country and job, you could make quite a lot of money. Honestly, I'd consider it if the pay were high enough."

Victoria's expression darkened at once. "Are you crazy, Nolan? What's wrong with the life we have right now? Martin needs his dad. I need my husband!"

To be honest, I had never considered working abroad. I said it only because she brought up the subject. It was nothing more than an idle thought. I had not expected such a strong reaction from her. Had something terrible really happened to her cousin's husband over there?

Victoria noticed my silence and softened her tone. She slipped her arm around my neck and smiled gently. "You don't have to put yourself under so much pressure, sweetie. I know you're doing all this for our family. But I can make that kind of money now. I can share your burden and stand beside you in this struggle for a better life.

"My job brings in plenty of money, so don't worry about going abroad. All you need to do is support me. I promise you, we'll still be rolling in money without you making such a dangerous sacrifice."

She planted several firm kisses on my forehead and headed to the kitchen, looking pleased with herself.

Her mention of her job reminded me of what I had seen on her livestream. My doubts returned at once. What was really going on?

To verify my suspicions, I told her I was going out to buy cigarettes. I left the house and called Jack.

That was when he told me he had not been working abroad at all. They were vacationing on a tropical island, and Maddie had dropped her phone into the sea. She had not had time to replace her number or device yet.

A chill settled in my stomach. Had Victoria just lied to me?

I could not forget what Bradley had said. My mind kept returning to the image of her wearing that kinky, revealing outfit beneath her dress. Panic grew inside me, but I could not storm in and accuse her based on a few pieces of circumstantial evidence.

I needed proof that Victoria was cheating. I could not behave as though the worst had already happened and start acting on assumptions. I needed real evidence.

…

By the time I returned with the cigarettes, Victoria had already finished making dinner.

It was just several beef patties. There were not even sesame buns to turn them into burgers.

"Sweetie, I'm not criticizing the meal, but is this all we have tonight? Martin is still a little too young to eat beef patties every day," I reminded her.