My Ex-Wife's Secret System

The elevator chimed.

Adrian Cole stepped out, holding a bag of groceries in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other.....He wore the same vintage Jessica had once called her favourite. He'd spent the entire day thinking of how to surprise her. After everything-her distant behavior, the sleepless nights-he'd hoped tonight would reset things.

The penthouse door was slightly open.

He frowned.

Jessica was meticulous. She never left the door open.

"Jess?" he called gently, pushing it open with his shoulder.

What he saw stole his breath.

Clothes gone.....tangled sheets. Moaning.

Michael and Jessica.

His best friend and his wife. Adrian stood in the doorway, shocked, as groceries fell to the floor. The wine bottle broke, sending red liquid across the marble like blood. Jessica screamed first and held the sheets to her chest. Michael just sat up slowly, running a hand through his tousled hair, not a trace of shame in his eyes. "Bro." "Almost amused," Michael said. "I never imagined you would return so quickly." Despite his clenched fists, Adrian remained motionless. His vision became tunnel-like and his heart pounded. Something stopped him from hitting him, even though he really wanted to. Leaping from her bed, Jessica snatched her robe. "Adrian, hold on, this isn't what it looks like-" With a voice like broken glass, he said softly, "Don't insult me."

"Let me explain," she pleaded. "I-I was going to tell you. It's not like we were even happy anymore!"

Adrian looked at her. This was the woman he had loved, defended, sacrificed for. The woman who used to fall asleep curled into his chest.

Michael stood up slowly, smug. "Look, man. It's better this way. You've been holding her back. You're broke, washed up-"

Before the words were fully out, Adrian stepped forward-and stopped.

A whisper echoed in his mind.

"Welcome, Host. First mission: Do not retaliate."

He blinked. What?

Michael tilted his head. "You good, man?"

Jessica folded her arms, the fear already draining from her face. "You don't have anything left, Adrian. No job, no inheritance, no influence. You can't even afford this penthouse. My father owns it."

Adrian stared at her, silence thick between them.

Jessica walked to the door and opened it. "You need to leave."

He almost laughed. "You're kicking me out?"

"You were a charity case to begin with," she snapped. "I married you to please my dad, and now even he's sick of you."

Adrian's jaw tightened. Then, without another word, he stepped outside. The door slammed behind him.

He stood in the hallway, staring at nothing.

Ten minutes later, building security came up. He didn't fight when they took his keycard, didn't resist when they escorted him to the ground floor like he was a trespasser in his own life.

The sky outside had opened up. Rain lashed against his face as he stepped into the street, soaked within seconds. People passed by without looking twice.

His phone buzzed.

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Every account,