Anya was standing at the cold kitchen counter, chopping vegetables. Her fingers were trembling, and again and again her eyes drifted toward the clock hanging on the wall. It was already 7:15 PM. In this suffocating silence, even the sound of the knife striking the board felt like an explosion.
Just then, old conversations with Xia and Huan Jing came back to her—whispers they used to exchange in the office corridors.
"Boss gets extremely angry on his birthday. That day, he neither comes to the office nor meets anyone. He disappears somewhere, and only Qian knows where he goes."
Anya took a deep breath. Next week… Zain's birthday. Is that why his behavior has become even more poisonous?
Part 2: Xuyan's Video Call — A Sudden Disturbance
Suddenly, the Skype ringtone echoed from Zain's laptop placed in the hall. Zain, who had been imprisoned in the darkness of his room upstairs, rushed down immediately. The moment Anya heard his footsteps, her hands froze.
Zain glanced at the screen—it was a call from his mother, Xuyan. For a brief second, panic flashed across his face, but he quickly composed himself.
"Anya! Come here! Right now!"
There was a strange pressure in Zain's voice.
Anya stepped out of the kitchen nervously, her hands still damp with water. Zain grabbed her wrist firmly and pulled her toward himself on the sofa.
"Sit quietly and do exactly as I say," Zain whispered near her ear in warning. "If my mother even slightly suspects that we aren't happy, you know the consequences."
Part 3: The Act of Appearances and a Mother's Affection
The moment the call was received, Xuyan's radiant face appeared on the screen. Seeing her, that fake smile Zain had used as a shield in Beijing instantly returned to his face.
"Hello, Mom!" Zain said warmly and placed his hand on Anya's shoulder as if she were his entire world.
"My children!" Xuyan exclaimed happily. "How are you both? Anya, my dear, are you alright? Zain is taking good care of you, isn't he?"
Anya felt Zain's grip on her shoulder—it wasn't protective; it felt like a chain. Forcing a smile, she replied, "Yes, Mom… I'm fine. Everything is very good."
Laughing, Xuyan said, "Zain, you remember, don't you? Next week is your birthday. I want you and Anya to celebrate it grandly this time. Anya, don't leave him alone—he becomes very sad on that day."
Part 4: Touch and Hidden Hatred
Zain took Anya's hand into his and gently stroked it, like a lover caressing his wife. Xuyan was delighted by the sight, but Anya's body turned stiff as stone. Zain's fingers were cold, and his touch pierced her like needles.
"Don't worry, Mom," Zain said while looking straight into Anya's eyes. His voice was sweet like honey, but there was fire burning in his gaze. "Anya is with me, and she knows how to keep me happy. Right, honey?"
The word honey made Anya's skin crawl. She remembered how just minutes ago, this very man had called her a maid.
"Yes, Mom… I… I'll take full care," Anya said, hiding the tremor in her voice.
Xuyan blessed them and ended the call.
Part 5: The Mask Falls
The moment the laptop screen went black, Zain flung Anya's hand away as if he had touched something filthy. He stood up abruptly and began adjusting the sleeves of his shirt.
The loving expression vanished from his face. In its place stood the same old icy monster.
"I hope you remember today's acting lesson," Zain said coldly. "Next week is my birthday. I won't be here that day. And remember—do not cross the 7:30 line, whether I am home or not."
He turned and walked toward the stairs without looking back. Anya remained seated alone on the sofa, her hand still numb where Zain had grabbed her.
She finally understood—
Zain's hatred was deep,
but his pretense was even more dangerous.With the very first rays of morning sunlight, Anya woke up. Cursing Zain continuously in her mind, she swept, mopped, and finished the rest of the household chores. She was just in the kitchen preparing breakfast when Zain came down the stairs. There was still a slight hesitation in his steps.
"Is breakfast ready or not?" Zain asked in a stern tone, glancing at his watch.
From inside the kitchen, Anya waved her hand and replied, "Just two minutes! Have a little patience."
She stepped out—and froze when she saw his condition.
"In this state, how are you going to the office? The wound on your back hasn't healed yet."
"I'll manage. Don't worry," Zain said while putting on his jacket.
"Fine. Then I'm coming to the office today as well," Anya said firmly.
Zain cut her off. "Qian has already told everyone that you went out of the city with me for a client meeting. Repeat the same story."
Anya arranged breakfast and medicines neatly on the table.
"Alright."
Zain's coat was placed on the nearby chair, and his eyes remained fixed on his watch. When Anya came out of the kitchen, he said without even looking up,
"Get ready. My driver will drop you at the office. I don't want Mrs. Yan to be seen walking on the streets and people questioning me."
Part 2: Anya's Reply
Anya slung her bag over her shoulder and stood in front of Zain. There was a strange glow on her face—perhaps the happiness of reclaiming a small piece of her freedom.
"There's no need for a driver, Boss," Anya said calmly. "I'll go on my old scooter. It's still lying in the corner of the garage, covered in dust. I checked it just yesterday."
Part 3: Zain's Bitterness and Anya's Sarcasm
Zain placed his coffee cup on the table and looked at her with icy eyes.
"A scooter? Have you lost your mind? The wife of the biggest businessman in this city going to the office on a junk scooter? This is a matter of my image."
Anya smiled slightly—a smile that carried both pain and sarcasm.
"Boss, if your multi-million-dollar luxury cars are parked outside the office, I'll become a 'celebrity' overnight. Everyone will question me. The media will start chasing me. Do you really want people to investigate our 'relationship' so deeply?"
She leaned in slightly, met Zain's eyes, and said,
"A scooter is better. An ordinary designer on her ordinary scooter—no one will ever suspect that I'm a prisoner of that 'luxurious cage' you call your home."
Part 4: Zain's Silence
Zain had no answer to that. He knew Anya was right—in a world built on appearances, hiding was the safest option for them. He picked up his coat and walked toward the door without saying anything.
As he left, he only said,
"Remember 7:30 in the evening. Even a one-minute delay will cost you dearly."
Anya watched him go and took a deep breath. Twirling her scooter key in her hand, she murmured to herself,
"At least for a few hours today, I'll be Anya Lu… not Mrs. Yan."