Chapter 3 Marlene barely registered how she stumbled out of the company . Her mind was a chaotic blur , a storm of shame , rage , and disbelief . She stood outside , shivering in the biting wind , her hands trembling as she lit one cigarette after another . Her phone's shrill ring shattered the haze . " You wretched little fool ! " a voice screamed . " What have you done ? Your father had a stroke from the stress and is in the hospital ! " The words slammed into Marlene , stripping away the last thread of composure she had left . She raced to the hospital . The moment she stepped through the doors , her mother , Caleigh , slapped her hard across the face . The sting burned her cheek , and the metallic taste of blood flooded her mouth . Caleigh was trembling with rage , swaying on the verge of collapse . Marlene grabbed her mother's arm , steadying her while forcing her own panic down . " Mom , calm down . What did the doctors say about Dad's surgery ? " Her father , Conrad Fawcett , had suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage and needed immediate surgery . The cost was estimated at 250 thousand dollars . Fortunately , Marlene had saved enough over the years to cover it . Outside the operating room , Marlene sat slumped in a plastic chair , her body numb , her mind adrift . Her phone buzzed , jarring her back to reality . 1000 % 08 23 Chapter 3 A string of anonymous texts lit up the screen . 2 Vishers " Marlene , be smart and stay away from Kenyon . Otherwise , those photos won't just be sent to your parents . " " Heard your daddy landed in the hospital from the shock . Wonder if he'd survive seeing something even juicier . " Her hands shook with fury as she dialed the number , her voice raw with anger . " Don't you dare hurt my parents ! " A soft , mocking laugh came through the line . " Meet me . Let's have a little chat . " In the coffee shop , Thelma Glyn sat poised like royalty . She was draped in a Chanel suit , her feet adorned with the latest Miu Miu boots , exuding an effortless elegance . " You probably haven't heard , " she said . " Kenyon and I are getting married next month . Once we're wed , his money becomes ours . I'm not about to let him waste it on some sidepiece . " " I don't care how he played around before , " she continued , leaning forward slightly , " but he's about to be a married man . So , take my advice : fuck off from him . " When Marlene had agreed to their so - called open arrangement , Kenyon had been very clear that if either of them wanted to marry , they'd cut things off cleanly . He had promised there would be no messy affairs and no playing the third wheel . But now , it was obvious he'd never taken that promise seriously . 26.59 % 08:23 Chapter 3 1268 Voucher " Marlene , " Thelma said , her tone dripping with condescension , " I've seen plenty of women try to climb the ladder with their bodies . You know what ? They all ended up broken and humiliated . If you don't believe me , go ahead and test your luck . " Before Marlene could respond , a splash of scalding coffee was in Thelma's face . A gasp erupted behind her . " Marlene , what the hell are you doing ? " Kenyon's voice cut through the air . He shoved her aside and slapped her hard across the face . " Apologize . Now . " Marlene clutched her burning cheek , her eyes blazing with defiance . " Kenyon , what am I to you ? " She had met him fresh out of college at twenty - three . She still remembered her first month on the job , cornered at a client dinner where men tried to force drinks on her . Kenyon had stepped in with a charming smile . " This young lady doesn't drink . I'll take it for her . " He'd bought her medicine when she was feverish and stood up for her when clients nitpicked and bullied . Later , after too many drinks one night , Marlene had kissed him , and Kenyon hadn't pulled away . He'd looked at her , asking seriously . " Are you sure about this ? " Marlene had nodded fiercely , believing she was special , and she'd be the one he cherished . Now , she saw the truth . She was nothing but a punchline . 52.91 % 08:23 Chapter 3 Marlene snatched another coffee cup from the table and hurled it at Thelma , the liquid soaking her further . " There , " she said , her voice steady and venomous . "That's me splashing her . " Without another word , she walked out . Kenyon stared at her retreating figure , his feet twitching to follow , but a sharp voice stopped him cold . " Kenyon , don't you dare , " Thelma warned , stepping closer . Her clothes were drenched , coffee dripping from her chin , but her haughty air remained unshaken . " If you chase after her , our engagement is off . " Kenyon had always known his marriage would be a transaction , a union forged for profit , not love . Even if it meant hurting Marlene , he'd choose the deal . " Thelma , " he said , his voice low , " didn't we agree to keep things separate ? We each have our fun , and we don't meddle in the other's pleasures . " Thelma let out a soft , knowing laugh , jabbing a finger into his shoulder . " A little fun is fine . But we both know the truth , Kenyon . You've already started to care . "