He Betrays Me, So I Take Revenge

Chapter 2

By the time Samantha returned home with Willow by taxi, Archer still hadn't reached out.

Instead, Jessica sent a photo of Archer cooking in an apron.

Jessica: Has he ever cooked for you?

Her chest tightened, like she could barely breathe.

Archer had once declared that a successful man didn't belong in the kitchen, vowing he would never cook in this lifetime.

Yet now, he had broken that promise for Jessica.

Samantha thought, 'Could he really be into her?'

For the first time, Samantha doubted the strength of their relationship.

*****

Two days later, Archer picked Samantha up for a colleague gathering.

Archer asked, "Still upset, huh? Last time was genuinely because of urgent work, and my phone died. I never meant to skip picking you up."

Archer pulled Samantha into his arms, patiently coaxing her.

The excuse was flimsy, but Samantha pressed her lips together, choosing not to confront him.

Seeing her still unhappy, Archer produced a prepared necklace from his pocket.

"I noticed you glancing at this twice while shopping, so I bought it. Do you like it?"

The pearl necklace shimmered under the light, its lustrous surface reflecting her surprised expression.

She'd only passed by, drawn to the design enough to glance twice.

But in her hurry to eat, she hadn't mentioned it.

Later, she'd forgotten about it completely.

She never expected Archer to have noticed it and bought it for her.

A warm feeling spread through her chest.

Archer had refused to eat for her sake, remembered every menstrual cycle, and filled his social media with her photos...

Samantha didn't believe that a man like that would love her.

She thought maybe Jessica's games had just caught Archer off guard. She believed there wouldn't be a next time.

Seeing her reaction, Archer smiled and fastened the necklace around her neck.

"Come with me to the company dinner later, okay?"

*****

An hour later, they arrived at the private dining room.

Archer proudly introduced Samantha and carefully guided her to her seat.

His attention was entirely on her.

Midway through the meal, Jessica arrived. "Sorry, I'm late."

Archer, who had been sipping soup, nearly choked when he saw Jessica.

Jessica never attended department gatherings. Otherwise, he wouldn't have risked bringing Samantha.

Due to Jessica's interest in him, his career had flourished.

He naturally wanted to keep his two women apart.

Jessica sauntered to Archer's left and asked a colleague, "May I sit here?"

"Of course! Please, Ms. Donovan!"

Once seated, Jessica ignored Archer, chatting casually with others.

Archer let out a quiet sigh of relief.

The next moment, the tip of Jessica's shoe grazed lightly against his calf.

Archer's Adam's apple bobbed, his grip tightening on his glass.

He should have moved away, but his body seemed frozen.

Jessica's foot crept higher, each inch sending his pulse racing.

Archer's temples throbbed as heat spread from her touch, engulfing him.

When her toe began tracing slow, fiery circles, Archer suddenly stood up.

The chair screeched against the floor, drawing all eyes.

He said, "Excuse me. I... I need to use the restroom!"

He rushed off, forgetting Samantha entirely.

He never noticed Jessica's knowing smile.

As Archer exited, a pair of slender hands pulled him into the stairwell.

Jessica traced circles on his chest, her gaze dripping with allure.

Archer seized her wandering hand and said, "No, someone might see."

Jessica giggled, as if tickled by a private joke.

"Who'd come here? Besides, isn't this more exciting?"

Her hand slid between his legs, making him gasp sharply.

Archer dreaded Samantha finding them, yet the pleasure was undeniable.

Torn between guilt and desire, he found himself strangely embracing this new high.

Jessica bit his Adam's apple lightly, then licked the spot.

Archer let out a moan.

"Not feeling good?"

His eyes darkened. Unable to resist, he pinned her down, his hands expertly finding her breasts.