The CEOs mystery heir by RPub

In the fifth year of marriage, Nora Yates stumbled upon scandalous headlines linking her husband to another woman.

His friend teased him. "Stefan, you're ruthless. Just because Nora stole Izabella's boyfriend, you married her, pampered her, and fed her those pills until she's practically a fool."

Stefan Gordon, cradling a pregnant Izabella Stewart, spoke coldly. "She made Izzie unhappy. She has to pay the price."

Outside the private room, Nora, battling severe depression, nearly collapsed.

Her trembling hands dialed a number. "Tell that company I'll join."

For five years, Nora had been a housewife, confined to her sickbed.

Everyone forgot she was once a legendary hacker, feared by every major corporation.

...

Nora's past as a love-struck fool for her first love was a well-worn joke in their circle.

Yet Stefan cherished her, treating her like a treasure.

His love was grand, from renting every LED billboard in the city for a public confession to kneeling in the snow to prove his devotion, and after marriage, patiently feeding her bitter medicine day after day.

The pills were bitter, but his love was sweet.

No one doubted Stefan's sincerity, yet Nora clashed with him three times.

The first time, she caught a whiff of unfamiliar perfume on him.

Everyone claimed they smelled nothing, and Stefan, to appease her, showered repeatedly, nearly scrubbing his skin raw.

The second time, she found a pair of lacy underwear in their bedroom.

She confronted him hysterically until the maid admitted the underwear was hers.

Nora froze, humiliated, as Stefan hugged her with tender concern. "Are you feeling off again? It's okay if you got it wrong, Nora. I don't blame you."

His patience never wavered. "Come on, take your medicine. It'll help you get better."

He brought the pill to her lips.

"Stefan, I don't want it," Nora said, her face pale. "Every time I take it, I feel like I'm imagining things."

"It's fine, Nora. If you doubt me, it's my fault for not doing enough. I'll be better for you."

His warmth and forgiveness made her feel ashamed of her dark suspicions.

The third time, Stefan was away on a business trip when their cat accidentally opened a news alert on the tablet.

"Rising star Izabella Stewart spotted with wealthy boyfriend in Solara, celebrating her birthday. Wedding bells soon?"

Nora rarely cared for gossip and moved to close it, but a glance stopped her cold.

Beneath the bold headline was a paparazzi photo.

Izabella, in a sleek swimsuit, beamed in a man's arms, his face blurred.

But Nora recognized the watch on his wrist, a one-of-a-kind gift she gave Stefan for his last birthday.

Snow fell outside, blanketing the world in silence.

The house was warm, yet Nora felt a chill that froze her blood.

It couldn't be.

Maybe she misremembered. The watch wasn't unique, or perhaps she never gave him one at all?

Stefan, in Eldoria for a merger, couldn't be in Solara.

Logic urged her to stay calm, but her shaking fingers betrayed her as she dialed his number.

The phone rang for ages before he answered.