Chapter 1
I was browsing Amazon to buy my husband some shirts when a “You might also like pop–up appeared, suggesting a $999 luxury lipstick.
Something made me click on it, and that’s when I saw a customer review with a handwritten note in familiar handwriting:
[Dearest Nora, this shade always reminds me of how wild and passionate you were that night- Love, MI
I immediately called my husband.|
“Did you use our shared Amazon account to buy stuff for someone else?“]
There was this pause before he chuckled.
“Oh that? My buddy wanted to use the Valentine’s discount, borrowed the account. I’m still at work, gotta run.”
After hanging up, I pulled up the order history.]
When I saw the shipping address, I stared at the screen for the longest time, then let out a cold laugh.]
Marcus, you think you’ve hidden your tracks well?]
Let this top–tier lawyer show you what ironclad evidence really looks like!]
I drove straight to Marcus’s firm. “Sterling & Associates.“[]
The fancy lobby was empty, so I headed straight for the back offices.]
Walking down that endless hallway, I spotted two figures pressed together behind the frosted glass of the break room.]
Marcus was kissing the top of some woman’s head, all tender and intimate]
The woman? Nora Lopez–his precious junior from law school, the firm’s rising star.]
I pushed the door open.
Marcus saw me and practically jumped away from her, panic flashing across his face.
Nora, though? Cool as a cucumber. She just smoothed down her slightly messed–up hair and gave me this polite little smile.
“Hey there, Harper. What brings you by?‘
“There’s a lipstick order on Marcus’s account,” I said, cutting straight to the chase. “Shipped to your address, your phone number.“[]
“Oh, that!” She acted like she just remembered, looking slightly embarrassed.]
“I used Marc’s account to buy a client gift.”]
“You know Ocean Tech was huge for us, and Marcus happens to be an Amazon Diamond VIP with lots of discounts.”
“Since the company’s paying for it. every bit saved counts.“[]
“Did I cause you trouble? If so, I’m really sorry!“[]
Pretty airtight explanation.[]
But I know Marcus.]]
The guy’s got major professional boundaries–no way he’d let someone outside our marriage use our personal account for work stuff.
While she was talking, my eyes caught something pinned to her suit jacket.[]
An expensive fountain pen.]
She noticed me looking and got all flustered, trying to redirect my attention.]
“Don’t get the wrong idea, Harper! Marcus was just helping me analyze a case. We literally just finished going over it.“]
“Wrong idea? What exactly would I get the wrong idea about?”
The way I said it made her eyes dart around nervously.
That pen? I had it custom–made in Germany for our first anniversary!
Marcus’s and my initials are engraved on the cap: H.J. & M.S
One of a kind.
Nora seemed rattled and instinctively covered her jacket pocket with her palm
That made me smile. I stepped closer, voice all sweet: “Beautiful pen. Client gift?”
Her face went a shade paler.]
“It was… from a team building raffle,” she managed, trying to keep it together.[]
“Really?” I nodded, then turned to Marcus. “If it’s from a company raffle, that makes it work–related property. Might need to discuss the ownership situation here.“]
“As the original gift–giver, I might want to revoke that little present.“]
Suddenly, Nora’s face went ghost–white-
I didn’t say another word. Just turned around and walked out.
