Chapter 3

Suddenly, the doorbell chimed during their heated moment. A soft, feminine voice followed from outside. "Zachary, my hands are full. Could you open the door?" Cynthia's entire body tensed as she realized it was Janice, and her anxiety worsened. Somehow, she managed to find the strength to shove Zachary away. She panicked as she wondered what to do next. Zachary frowned and glanced at Cynthia's pale, flustered face. With a calm motion, he pressed the door's video intercom. His eyes narrowed in shock when the screen revealed another woman outside—one who looked exactly like the one in front of him. How could there be one "Janice" in his arms and another at his door? The atmosphere turned thick with tension. Cynthia fidgeted anxiously like a cat on a hot tin roof, barely registering Zachary's scrutinizing gaze. Years ago, Janice had forbidden Cynthia from appearing before him. Yet here she was, standing with swollen lips and messy hair. She could only imagine Janice's reaction if she saw her like this. With no other choice, she pleaded desperately, "Please, sir! Help me!" 　 Zachary's handsome features darkened as he realized the woman before him was not Janice. He asked coldly, "Who are you?" Cynthia's palms grew clammy. Though she was Janice's sister, revealing her identity might unravel everything. Just then, the doorbell rang again. "Zachary, are you home?" Janice called out before Cynthia could respond. Zachary's eyes flickered as he studied Cynthia's panicked face. His sharp gaze seemed to pierce through her as he carefully weighed his options carefully. After a while, he commanded, "Go inside and don't come out until I say so." His tone had lost all its previous warmth. "Yes, sir!" Cynthia nodded, darting into the living room and behind the curtains fast. Only after she was hidden did Zachary open the door. Janice was holding bags of groceries, beaming when she saw Zachary. "Zachary! I was worried you weren't home since it took so long to answer." She looked like a perfect homemaker with her warm smile and gentle tone. Zachary's sharp eyes lingered on her, noting the uncanny resemblance to the woman hiding behind his curtains. Though his mind raced, his expression betrayed nothing. He asked, "Aren't you supposed to be busy with work? Why are you here?" Janice's smile faltered. After Zachary's grandfather's sudden passing, their marriage plans were delayed. After that, he never brought it up again, and his attitude toward her had remained indifferent. She had transferred jobs to be closer to him, hoping to spend more time together, but his reaction was not what she had expected. "I was worried about you," she explained, maintaining her smile. "You always have trouble adjusting to new places and local food, so I thought I'd cook for you." Zachary showed her the food delivery bag and said, "Don't trouble yourself. Mason and I have found a good delivery place." His coldness made Cynthia silently criticize his ingratitude toward Janice's thoughtfulness. Meanwhile, Janice was equally taken aback. She had not expected her gesture to be brushed aside so easily. Bitter disappointment flickered in her eyes, but she forced a smile. Just as she was about to say something, she noticed a strand of a woman's hair on his shirt. She asked, "Wait... Why do you have a woman's hair on your shirt?" Cynthia's breath caught—it must have happened during their struggle. She silently panicked behind the curtain. If Janice found out she was hiding here, it would be impossible to clear her name. In contrast to Cynthia's uneasiness, Zachary glanced at the hair with casual indifference. He stated coldly, "It's from the delivery girl." Suspicion flickered across Janice's face. Why would a delivery girl be close enough to leave hair on his shirt? And why had he taken so long to answer the door? As Janice wondered if another woman was trying to seduce Zachary, she said, "Well, you enjoy your meal. I'll tidy up a bit." Before Zachary could object, she set down her groceries and began cleaning. As she moved through the room, she checked the cabinets, straightened the couch cushions, and scanned underneath. Cynthia's breath hitched as she peeked from her hiding spot behind the curtains. Janice's actions seemed innocent, but they were anything but to Cynthia. It was obvious that Janice was looking for something or someone. While the living room was spacious, Cynthia knew it would not take long before Janice noticed her. Sure enough, the latter was drawn to the curtain in less than two minutes. Cynthia was overwhelmed with dread as Janice's footsteps moved steadily closer. She thought, "I'm doomed! Janice's going to find me..."