I, Nina Reed, was running around taking care of everything while my son, Lucas Reed, was seriously ill in the hospital. While I was waiting in line to pay the bill, a man suddenly bumped into me. The woman behind me helped me up. “Sorry! My son is sick, and my husband’s a bit anxious.” I looked at the figure, and surprisingly, it seemed a bit familiar. When I focused, I realized it was my husband, Zachary Reed, whom I hadn’t seen in years! But his return ticket was supposed to be for next week… “What are you doing here? Are you coming to see those people again? “I’ve told you so many times, stay away from the orphanage. Who knows what kind of viruses those people might have?” Before I could speak, I was hit with a barrage of scolding. I struggled to hold back my anger and hurt, trying to stay calm. But my voice trembled uncontrollably. My heart raced, and I felt a chill all over my body. “I haven’t even asked you yet. What are you doing here? “Weren’t you still in Rivendale? Didn’t your flight leave next week? “And who is this?” Zachary’s brows furrowed tighter. “This is Madeline Hayes. She’s…” As Zachary struggled to figure out how to introduce the child Madeline was holding, the child suddenly called out, “Daddy, when can I see the doctor? My tummy hurts so much.” Zachary’s whole face softened, a look I had never seen before, one that neither Lucas nor I had ever experienced. He gently soothed the child. “I’ll talk to the lady for a moment, and then we’ll go see the doctor, okay?” My mind went blank. After three years, my husband suddenly had such a big child. So, who was I? And who was Lucas, the one waiting for me in the ward? Madeline, the woman, gave me a provocative look, extended her hand to me, and flashed a beautiful smile. “I know you. You’re that orphan who has been in love with Zachary for years, right? I really sympathize with your situation, but love and sympathy aren’t the same thing.” I looked directly into Madeline’s eyes. I didn’t back down. “I’m an orphan, but I haven’t been in love with him for years. Let me introduce myself. I’m Zachary’s legal wife, Nina Reed.” I made sure to emphasize the word legal. She just smiled and covered her mouth. “Nina? I don’t believe that’s your name.” “Names are given by parents. Ms. Hayes, show some respect!” No sooner had I finished speaking than Zachary quickly stepped in, pulling Madeline behind him to shield her. “Why are you yelling? “Madeline grew up abroad. She has a more open mindset. She doesn’t care about these things, unlike you. “Forget it. There’s no point trying to explain to you right now. Just go back.” After saying that, he took the child in one arm and Madeline by the hand, and they turned and entered the doctor’s office. If this had happened before, I would have chased after them to demand answers. After all, this was the man I was supposed to spend my life with. But today, I only stood there for a moment, sneering ironically. Then I turned and went upstairs to Lucas’ ward.
“Lucas, your mom is really good to you. When you grow up, make sure you treat her well. “Your dad has been overseas for years. It’s all thanks to your mom that the family has been managing. You and your dad are really lucky.” The others in the hospital room were teasing Lucas. I gave an awkward smile. My mind wandered back to the argument Zachary and I had before he left for his trip. I had just given birth and was supposed to be resting after delivery. He mentioned there was a paid opportunity for further training at his company, something rare and valuable. I cried and complained. “I’m still recovering from giving birth, and you’re already leaving for overseas. “And you’ll be gone for years. How are we supposed to live without you?” At first, Zachary tried to patiently calm me down. But soon, his patience wore thin. He grabbed a pillow and threw it hard onto the floor. “You women never understand! I can’t stand being controlled! “I’ve already missed so many opportunities because of you. If you keep being so difficult, I might as well quit my job! “Damn it. How did I end up marrying a woman like you?” Lucas’ laughter snapped me back to the present. “Mom, when is Dad’s flight next week? After he comes back, I want him to take us on a trip! “Mom, you’ve been working hard. I’ll give you a kiss.” For the past few months, since Lucas fell ill, I’d been the only one taking care of him. During the day, I had to work, so I hired a nurse. I had once complained to Zachary, asking why his mother couldn’t come and help. He yelled at me for being unreasonable. “My mom’s an intellectual. How could she do something as dirty as taking care of a child? “Handling poop and pee, doesn’t that disgust her? “Figure something out yourself.” So, I had no choice but to hire help. But then Zachary was upset about that, too. “I only make so much money in a year, and you spend it all!” What he forgot to mention was that he stopped sending money home a long time ago. He said there were plenty of places to spend money overseas, and he needed to save it for emergencies. Even so, I still didn’t want to go against his wishes. So, I lied to Lucas, who wasn’t even three yet. “Mom and Dad both have to work, so there’s no one to take care of you during the day. “But Dad says he trusts you. You’re a man now. You can take care of yourself, right? “If you need help, you can always ask someone.” And that was how we made it through. Finally, we heard the news that Zachary was coming home. But I never imagined we’d be reunited under these circumstances. That evening, Zachary brought Madeline and her child back to our house. I was about to head to the hospital to stay with Lucas when I ran into all three of them. Even Zachary’s mom was shocked. Madeline gave Zachary’s mom a warm hug and then grabbed her son’s hand, asking him to call her grandma. Zachary stood there, smiling and watching. I didn’t have time to admire their harmonious scene. I pushed through the crowd. “Excuse me.” Zachary stopped me. “Where do you think you’re going? You’ve been avoiding us ever since we arrived. Who are you acting all cold to? “Go serve them some food. Madeline doesn’t eat basil, thyme, or anything spicy. See if we need to cook a few more dishes.” I awkwardly smiled and mocked him, “Should I make you a feast while I’m at it? “Why should I bother cooking for you?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, both of their faces turned ugly. Madeline opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but after glancing at Zachary’s mother and Zachary, she held it back. Zachary raised his hand as if to slap me, but maybe out of guilt, he finally lowered it with a frustrated sigh. “Don’t mind her. She just loves to get jealous. She thinks every woman I talk to is somehow involved with me. “Not like you, who knows how to be understanding.” I spent three years abroad, taking care of Zachary’s mother and son, working hard to support the family. And now he came back with another woman and a child. And he still said I was the one who didn’t understand. When I watched the way they were so loving with each other, my heart ached. Just when I reached the bus stop downstairs, Zachary chased after me. Before I could even react, he slapped me across the face. “There were others around earlier, so I spared you. “But remember this. Madeline is my benefactor. I will never allow anyone to target her.” I covered my face and stared at Zachary, unable to gather myself for a while. He turned and walked away, not saying another word. I touched my swollen face, then looked at his well-built figure as he walked away. I swiftly took off the cheap wedding ring from my fourth finger and tossed it into the trash can nearby. I spent a sleepless night at the hospital. The next morning, Lucas was scheduled for some tests, and the nurse came to take him. The nurse noticed my sunken eyes and dark circles and told me to go home and get some rest first. “Lucas will be fine with us. Don’t worry. You’ve been through so much alone. “I heard Lucas’ dad is coming back. You and your son will finally have a good time.” Tears filled my eyes, but I showed a bitter smile. I didn’t want to respond to the nurse. Back at home, I found Zachary still asleep. I changed clothes and lay on the far side of the bed, as far from him as possible. But somehow, he suddenly pulled me into his arms. His warm body pressed against mine, his breath brushing against my ear. “Baby, it’s been three years. Did you miss me?” If it were before, I would have gently turned to him, wrapped my arms around his neck, and told him how much I missed him, silently letting my tears speak for my longing. But now, all I felt was disgust. How could he call me his wife while having a child with someone else? I pulled away from him with all my strength, not saying a word. He let out a low laugh. “Still angry? It’s not what you think. The child is mine, but Madeline and I are just friends. “She helped me a lot while I was abroad, and I’m very grateful to her.” “So, to repay her, you gave her a child?” I said with disdain. “What century are we living in? You’re still making such a sacrifice?” “What are you talking about? We’re really innocent. The child was conceived through IVF. Nothing happened between Madeline and me,” his eyes turned red, and his voice was filled with grievance as he looked at me with sincerity. “Her parents are never around, and she’s been living alone. It’s lonely and hard, so I agreed to donate sperm. “Nina, I swear I never betrayed you.” The sincerity in his voice reminded me of when we first started dating. “Nina, I will love you and protect you forever.” But it had only been five years of marriage, and everything had already changed. What kind of woman would agree to have a child for a man? I didn’t believe that Zachary didn’t understand. Maybe he was just pretending not to understand. He and Madeline were testing my limits. I closed my eyes, and Lucas’ cute smile flashed in my mind. I sighed. “Zachary, let’s get a divorce.” Zachary’s face twisted with disbelief as he yelled angrily. He shook my shoulders roughly. “What right do you have to talk about divorce? Don’t forget. It was my parents who adopted you. If not for them, who knows where you’d be now! “You married me out of gratitude to my parents, so why can’t I give Madeline a child out of gratitude to her? “I’ve told you, it was IVF. There was nothing more to it. Can’t you stop being so petty? “People with a dark heart really see dirt in everything!” As I looked at the man in front of me, his face contorted with rage, I felt so unfamiliar with him. Zachary was practically ranting, his words coming in quick succession. But I felt nothing. After all, I had heard these words countless times before. What I couldn’t understand was why I ever agreed to marry him in the first place. And I couldn’t understand why his views were so completely unreasonable! He even thought it was my fault for not being able to accept this!
It wasn’t until he slowly calmed down that I spoke. “Zachary, I’m not joking. Let’s get a divorce. “I didn’t marry you out of gratitude for your parents. I married you because I loved you.” He seemed momentarily stunned. Then, his tone dropped without him realizing it. “Okay, don’t be mad. It’s just a kid. I won’t deal with them anymore. “I’m back now. I’ll treat you and Lucas well.” But when I heard his words, I only became more certain that divorce was the right choice. He could give Madeline a child out of gratitude yet casually say he wouldn’t deal with them in the future. He knew full well that Madeline had ulterior motives, but he still basked in her admiration, enjoying the ambiguous relationship and not wanting to leave it. A man like Zachary… in the end, he only loved himself. It was so pathetic. I got out of bed, pulling the blanket off. I wasn’t going to argue with him anymore. I simply repeated for the third time, “Zachary, let’s get a divorce.” Soon, Madeline arrived. She mocked me, “You always talk about being a good wife and mother, but now that your husband’s back, you’re not taking care of him. Instead, you’re causing all this trouble at home. “Really, I don’t know what Zachary sees in you. “You’re such a waste.” I didn’t respond. I took a few steps forward and slapped her across the face. I put all my strength into it, and her fair face quickly became marked with five clear red handprints. She covered her face and cried as she threw herself into Zachary’s arms. I coldly watched them, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction in my heart. Madeline sobbed, “How could you hit her? Don’t you know you should use words, not fists?” I replied with an emotionless expression, “Oh? What kind of words? Words in bed? “Madeline, don’t think just because you went abroad early, no one will find out about everything! Do you remember Lily Bennett?” The moment she heard that name, Madeline’s face turned pale.
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