Even in the middle of frantically searching for me, he somehow found time to text Anita.
[Honey, be careful on your way to the prenatal checkup. Watch your step!]
[Be good for me, okay? I miss you. Love you!]
A sharp pang shot through my heart.
Deke and his ex… were having a baby?
And I didn’t even know when he got married—when he built this whole secret life behind my back.
A few minutes later, another message popped up.
[I’ll start showing in two months. When are you finally going to break up with that woman?]
[I’m your wife now. Why are you still tangled up with someone else?]
My heart clenched, splintering into pieces.
I’d assumed Anita was just as clueless as I was. Maybe even thought about reaching out, exposing Deke together.
But now? That wasn’t necessary.
They were a perfect match—both despicable.
Then, another notification. This time, from Deke’s mother, Cassandra.
[Deke, you can’t even fool a naive girl?]
[Did you forget everything I taught you?]
The woman who’d always been so sweet to me—she was in on it too.
I gripped the desk, breath hitching. A full minute passed before I could move again.
Three years. Every moment, every promise, every I love you—all a lie.
All that effort just to scam my savings. Pathetic.
I memorized Anita’s chat app username and slipped out of the study.
***
Half an hour later, Deke stormed in, drenched in sweat.
