I’m a breakup expert. My specialty? Helping people cut ties and escape those toxic, dead-end relationships that just won’t quit. Today, a beautiful young woman walked into my office. “I want to place an order for my boyfriend,” she said, her voice soft. “He’s decided to divorce his wife.” I picked up the client file, but my hand froze when I saw the name: Daniel Miller, my husband. My hand trembled slightly, but the girl across from me, her head bowed, kept talking. “My boyfriend says his wife is a good person, so he doesn’t want to hurt her.” I forced a smile, staring at Daniel’s familiar face in the file. A bitter laugh bubbled up inside me. Three years as a breakup expert, and I’d finally landed my own case. 1 I set the file down, letting my gaze sweep over the girl. She wasn’t as striking as I was. Just ordinary. Pleasant enough. A slim frame, no children yet. Not much life experience, but clearly well-educated. When she called herself the ‘other woman,’ her eyes darted away with a flicker of awkwardness. “Ms. Chloe,” she began, “do you have any good ideas for my situation?” “My boyfriend said it would be best if his wife just decided to divorce him on her own. After all, they’ve been together for so long, and it would just be so awkward.” She pursed her lips, a shy, almost innocent smile blooming on her face. If I hadn’t been certain she didn’t recognize me, I might’ve thought she was deliberately taunting me. I twitched my lips into a professional smile. “Ms. Ashley,” I said, “how long have you two been together?” She paused, caught off guard. “What?” I raised my voice slightly. “Before I can give you a plan, I need to understand every detail of your relationship.” She nodded, understanding dawning on her face, her voice as clear as a meadowlark’s. With every word she spoke, my smile vanished a little more. “I’ve been with my boyfriend for three years. We met at the hospital.” “His family member was having a serious surgery that day, and he was so scared. He was smoking in the hallway, and I just happened to pass by and comfort him a bit…” She gave another bashful smile, her cheeks flushing. “And that’s how we met. Less than a week later, he confessed his feelings to me.” Listening to her sweet memories, my heart gave a sharp, painful jolt. “Did you meet on this exact day?” “Yes! How did you know?” she asked, her eyes wide with surprise. I just smiled, my lowered eyelashes trembling. Of course, I knew. Because three years ago today, I was giving birth to Daniel Miller’s first child at the city hospital. Calculating the time, they must have met while I was on the operating table. Difficult labor. C-section. I fainted three times. The memories now became a consuming poison, burning through me. I drew a slow, silent breath before asking the next question. “Do you know he has a child? She’s three. Just started kindergarten.” “I know, so?” Her earlier shyness evaporated into a careless shrug. “He already promised me that once the divorce is final, I’ll be Lily’s stepmother.” “The kid’s still young. Doesn’t really know what’s what. After a while, she’ll accept anyone as her mom, right?” “Ms. Chloe, don’t you agree?” My knuckles turned white as I gripped the file. I nodded, my voice flat. “Yes, you’re right.” What a shame you’ll never get the chance. Receiving my affirmation, Ashley completely relaxed and continued to gloat. “Oh, and he showed me pictures of his wife. She has this long scar on her belly, it’s totally disgusting.” “He told me himself that every time he sees that scar on her stomach, he feels sick to his stomach.” Ashley suddenly looked at me, a curious glint in her eyes. “Ms. Chloe, what do you think that woman is thinking? Her stomach is so ugly, but she’s still clinging to her man. Is she just desperate for love?” She chuckled, a self-satisfied sound. I laughed too, but my eyes were chillingly cold. “Is it possible,” I asked, my voice dangerously soft, “that his original wife never knew any of this?” Ashley raised an eyebrow, her tone absolutely decisive. “No way!” “Daniel has a physical aversion to her. Unless she’s an idiot, there’s no way she wouldn’t have noticed.” “Ms. Chloe, you don’t know, but he’s so passionate with me in bed. He says he has no interest in that old hag at home and was just cooped up and frustrated. Ms. Chloe, wouldn’t you think it’s strange if you hadn’t had intimacy for three years?” “Strange,” I replied promptly, my eyes numb, fixed on the wedding ring I’d worn on my ring finger for four years. Daniel and I, we came from different worlds. But we went from campus sweethearts to marriage, a full eight years. When I was sick, he’d be frantic, once jumping out of his dorm window in the middle of the night to bring me medicine. When I was sad, he’d run eight blocks to buy me my favorite chocolates just to make me smile. During my pregnancy and childbirth, he never missed a single prenatal check-up. Every time he came home, he’d hug Lily and me first, telling us we were his most beloved family. Even these past two years, when we hadn’t shared a bed, he’d just soothe me, saying, “Chloe, you went through so much when Lily was born. I don’t want you to experience that again.” I thought that as a marriage progressed, it would naturally settle into a comfortable routine. How could I have imagined that he wasn’t just not wanting it anymore, but that he was getting his fill elsewhere? A chill spread from my feet, creeping into my bones. I asked my last question. “What are your divorce demands? Just for his wife to initiate the divorce?” Ashley shook her head. “Of course not! And you absolutely cannot let his wife find out my boyfriend cheated.” “You know, even though Daniel married into her family and got a leg up, he really worked hard to build his own empire.” “He’s been through so much. If his wife found out he cheated, she definitely wouldn’t let him go.” I squeezed my fingers, saying nothing. Ashley, still worried, reiterated her requests, finally adding, “Ms. Chloe, I know you’re the best breakup expert in the city. I’m really counting on you with my boyfriend and me.” I nodded, smiling as I agreed. “Don’t worry.” After she left, I immediately called my best friend, Jake. “Get your best detective and lawyer on the phone. I want to know everything Daniel has been up to for the past three years.” “Oh, and tell my dad too. Daniel cheated. Pull all investments from his company. Now.” “I want to see what he’s left with when he’s completely on his own.” 2 Jake, my best friend and business partner, was as efficient as ever. In less than half a day, he dropped a 128GB flash drive onto my desk. “Take a look, it’s all here.” I plugged in the drive and clicked open the first file. The first video, seemingly filmed in a high-end restaurant, showed Daniel, impeccably dressed in a black suit, looking every bit the charming gentleman, presenting 9,999 Bulgarian roses to the woman across from him. Just three months ago, for my birthday, Daniel claimed he was working late and came home with a single five-dollar rose he’d picked up from a street vendor. The second video was security footage from a mall. Daniel had his arm wrapped around Ashley’s waist, shopping lavishly in a luxury store. Designer clothes, jewelry, accessories-shopping bags piled up at Ashley’s feet. They looked sickeningly sweet, the kind that made your teeth ache. The cheap little keychain the sales associate gave them as a freebie at checkout? That was the birthday gift he brought home for Lily. I exited the file, my face expressionless, and opened the next one. Daniel’s bank statements from the past three years. Numerous large sums of money frequently transferred between several accounts, accumulating into a colossal amount that made my chest tighten. It all funneled into a private account ending in 776
The account holder. Ashley. He was secretly transferring assets, all under the guise of ‘consulting fees.’ Did he really think I wouldn’t notice such a crude trick? The coldness in my heart solidified. I clicked on the next file. It was a transcript of chat messages with Lily’s kindergarten teacher. In the screenshots, Ashley, using the name “Lily’s Mom,” repeatedly inquired about my daughter’s daily routine, asking about her meals and sleep. She’d even arranged to attend the next parent-teacher conference with Daniel, posing as Lily’s parents. My hand tightened on the mouse, not from sadness, but from sheer disbelief. Daniel’s affair had actually reached our daughter. When Lily was born, he was the one who got up in the middle of the night to feed her, to soothe her back to sleep. He promised me that no matter what, she would always be our beloved little princess. Even that morning, when Ashley mentioned wanting custody of Lily, I had felt a fleeting relief. At least Daniel still cares about our child. He wouldn’t hurt her even if we divorced. My chest felt like it had a gaping hole, an icy wind whistling through it. I couldn’t hold back any longer and pulled out my phone, intending to warn him to stay away from my child. But my phone buzzed first-a message from Ashley. She’d sent a selfie, asking for my opinion. “Chloe, quick, tell me if this outfit works! My boyfriend is taking his daughter and me to meet his parents tonight. I’m so nervous.” At the same time, Daniel also messaged me. “Honey, my parents miss Lily. I’m taking her to their place for dinner tonight.” “You’re busy with work, so I bought you movie tickets. Go relax and watch a movie tonight.” He attached a photo of Lily coming out of kindergarten. Looking at Lily’s innocent, wide-eyed smile in the picture, I suddenly chuckled. Why watch a movie when a family dinner is better? Since they’re meeting the parents, I, the original wife, should definitely go and vet the situation myself. 3 I hung up the phone and immediately drove to the old Miller family estate. On the way, I kept getting messages from Daniel. “Honey, are you at the movie theater yet? I think there’s an event at the mall today, did you see it?” He was testing me. But I wasn’t flustered. I quickly searched for the mall online, took a screenshot, and sent it to him. “Saw it. Looks busy.” My reply was dismissive, but it seemed to put him at ease. “Great, have fun. Love you.” His usual sweet talk. I felt a surge of nausea. I put my phone away and didn’t reply. I parked the car, pulled on a hat and mask, and quietly walked into the courtyard of the old estate. The family dinner hadn’t officially started, but almost all of Daniel’s relatives were already there. His mother, Mrs. Miller, was bustling around, her face beaming with delight. Her attentive and doting demeanor made her look like an impeccable, loving mother-in-law. It reminded me of when I hadn’t married Daniel yet. She was just like that then. My health was fragile, so she’d specially gone to a rural chicken farm to get fresh chickens, making me nourishing soups for every meal. I was sensitive to the cold, so she knitted scarves and crocheted slippers by hand, treating me like her own daughter. She even remembered my dad’s stomach problems, specially buying traditional herbs from the countryside, brewing them, and delivering them to our house. Even my dad, a shrewd businessman who’d navigated the corporate world for years, said, “The Millers are a decent family. I’d be at ease if you married into them.” But now, seeing Daniel walk in with a radiant Ashley, his mother was the first to rush forward and greet them. “This must be Ashley, right? You’re so beautiful, such a lovely girl.” “Daniel, you have to treat her well, don’t you dare bully her.” Even Mr. Miller, usually so stern, put down his newspaper and patted Daniel’s shoulder with a look of contentment. “Good taste, she clearly looks like she can bear children. Our Miller family really needs a woman who can have a son.” It was then I understood. They had disliked me for only having a daughter. They wanted an heir to carry on the family name. Ashley seemed quite pleased, subtly arching her back, her voice sweet. “Don’t worry, Daniel had me checked, and my body is perfectly fine. I can definitely have a son.” “Good! That’s wonderful!” Mr. and Mrs. Miller beamed with joy, vying to give Ashley gifts, pushing Lily, who was in the way, aside. Other relatives also crowded around, showering Ashley with endless praise. Amidst the clamor, I distinctly heard Daniel’s uncle, Uncle Ben, who had borrowed over two million dollars from us, clapping his hands and laughing. “Daniel, you’re truly accomplished! This is what a Miller man looks like!” Aunt Sarah, who I’d gone to great lengths to help get her daughter abroad, clapped and wiped away tears. “This is wonderful, I love Ashley. She’s so dependable!” And Liam, Daniel’s brother, who had repeatedly failed in his ventures and whom I’d always connected with my family’s resources, excitedly stood up to toast them. “To a long and happy marriage, and may you have many sons soon!” Every single one of them had genuinely received my help, been indebted to me, and taken advantage of my generosity. Yet at this moment, no one remembered my existence. No one even mentioned my name. Aunt Sarah, after wiping her tears, excitedly grabbed my three-year-old daughter, Lily, and pushed her towards Ashley, urging, “What are you waiting for? Hurry up and call her Mommy!” “Yes, yes!” Mrs. Miller seemed to remember, and taking Lily’s hand, she tried to place it in Ashley’s. “Lily, quickly, call her Mommy!” Lily looked at these people in horror, shaking her head frantically. “I don’t want to! She’s not my mommy, my mommy is Chloe Miller! Grandma, I want Mommy!” “Will you let Mommy come pick me up?” She naively thought that by begging Grandma, Grandma would help her. But in reality, Mrs. Miller’s face immediately turned cold. She grabbed Lily’s ear and twisted it hard. “You little brat! What nonsense are you talking about? She is your mommy! Call her now!” Mr. Miller looked at Lily with disgust, not bothering to hide his displeasure. “Daniel, this is your well-taught daughter? So ill-mannered!” Ashley bit her lip, swaying precariously before collapsing into Daniel’s arms, looking at him with feigned injury. “Daniel, does Lily… not like me?” Daniel tenderly embraced her, comforting her in a low voice. “Of course not, darling. She’s just a child, she doesn’t know any better. Once we’re married, she’ll do whatever you say, and I won’t interfere.” Standing outside the door, watching this scene, I couldn’t take it anymore. I pushed the door open. I looked at the stunned faces of everyone, a chilling, humorless smile playing on my lips. “Isn’t this a family dinner? Why didn’t you invite me, the original wife?” 4. The moment Daniel saw me, he froze. He couldn’t believe I was here, when I was supposed to be at the mall watching a movie. He instinctively recoiled from Ashley, his voice trembling as he asked, “Chloe, what… what are you doing here…?” In all our years together, it was the first time I’d heard such panic in his voice. Daniel’s eyes darted away, unable to meet mine. After so many years of painstaking deception, I wondered if he felt even a hint of guilt. Ashley, standing beside him, turned ghostly pale and couldn’t speak. She hadn’t imagined that her gleeful description of her mistress life, so smugly recounted to me in my office, would now crash headfirst into the very wife she spoke of. I walked slowly into the old estate. The Millers and their relatives were instantly thrown into disarray, all lowering their heads, unable to meet my gaze. Mrs. Miller, who had once been so affectionate and meticulously caring towards me, now stood in a corner, looking utterly mortified. All the relatives and friends who had just been disparaging me and praising Ashley fell silent. The old estate’s living room was eerily still. No one dared to break the temporary quiet. Suddenly, a glass shattered in a corner of the room. It was Daniel’s aunt, Aunt Carol. She had slammed her cup of tea onto the floor without a care. As if she’d been holding back for too long, she pointed at Daniel and Ashley in the center of the room, fuming. “You two filthy cheats! How can you do this to Chloe? Do you even have a conscience?” No one had expected her sudden outburst, so no one tried to stop her. Aunt Carol wasn’t done. She continued to point at the group of sanctimonious relatives, her eyes blazing with fury. “You bunch of ungrateful bastards! I’ve been sick of listening to you! Don’t you remember everything Chloe has done for this family over the years? Or have your consciences been devoured by wolves?” Her insults were truly foul, and the relatives, who had managed to hold their tongues so far, suddenly bristled. The first to speak was Aunt Sarah, who had just been effusively praising Ashley. “How can you say that? Since Chloe married into our family, she belongs to the Millers, in life and in death. It’s only natural for her to do things for the family. There’s no need for mutual accusations!” “Besides, when Daniel’s company was in crisis, she, as his lawfully wedded wife, chose to go back to her parents and beg them for money and help. No one forced her. Now, if she just wasn’t so clueless and stubborn, clinging to Daniel and refusing to divorce him, would things have gotten to this point?” After Aunt Sarah finished, Liam, Daniel’s brother, who had repeatedly failed in his ventures, couldn’t help but stand up and add, “Exactly! People from wealthy, high-status families should know the rules! Now, Ashley is already pregnant with Daniel’s child, and she’s still pretending not to know what’s going on? If she’s useless and can’t produce a son, does that mean no one else can? Honestly, Chloe, you should be grateful! It’s only because Daniel is soft-hearted. If it were me, I wouldn’t have tolerated her for three years. I would’ve kicked her out of the house ages ago.” Aunt Carol was speechless, fuming. She couldn’t be bothered to argue with them. She gave me a look of pity and then turned and left. Listening to their shameless arguments, I suddenly smiled. I looked silently at Daniel, who hadn’t spoken for a long time. “Daniel Miller, since your family all knows I’m your lawfully wedded wife, then what exactly is this… thing next to you?” Daniel’s face cycled between green and white. He was livid that I was publicly shaming him. He dared not contradict his relatives, nor did he dare contradict me, so he could only stand there, silently stewing in anger, not daring to say another word. He stood with his hands at his sides, like a child who had done something wrong. A long silence stretched. Finally, Mrs. Miller, who had always been close to me, spoke. She changed her affectionate and protective demeanor towards Ashley from earlier, coming forward to take my hand, then said with a look of apology, “Chloe, I was wrong about this. I shouldn’t have let Daniel keep it from you.” “But now Ashley is pregnant with Daniel’s flesh and blood. Our family can’t just disown her…” “Daniel’s child will be Lily’s sibling. Please, for Lily’s sake, can you accept Ashley and forgive Daniel?” Listening to Mrs. Miller’s moral blackmail, and remembering her past insincerity, I felt nothing but disgust. But before I could expose her hypocrisy, Ashley suddenly cried out. She clutched her stomach tightly with both hands, sliding to the floor, her face contorted in pain. “Ah… Daniel, Daniel, my stomach… it hurts so much!” No one knew what had happened, only that Ashley looked utterly pathetic. Daniel was heartbroken. All his attention was snatched away by Ashley, completely ignoring me standing by the side. He tenderly pulled her into his embrace, then turned to glare at me, his voice vicious. “Chloe Miller, that’s enough! My family and I have been patient with you out of respect for our past, but if anything happens to Ashley’s baby today, I swear I won’t let you off!” It was the first time he had spoken to me with such venom. Even in the past three years, when we shared a bed but our hearts were miles apart, and there was no longer the usual intimacy of a couple, He had still been courteous and affectionate with me. Of course, that was because he was an expert actor. Seeing the man who used to share my bed now hurling insults at me for another woman, my heart remained utterly still. My heart had already died the moment Ashley walked into my office and told me all those things. Watching the two of them ‘showing affection’ in front of me, I even found it a little amusing. I curved my lips into a slight smile, my voice calm. “You call this ‘too far’? Daniel Miller, compared to all the dirty things you’ve done, I haven’t even scratched the surface.” “But since you’ve already cursed me out, it would be a shame not to actually do something to earn it.” With that, under everyone’s astonished gaze, I deftly turned on the projector in the center of the living room. I plugged the flash drive my friend gave me into the console, skillfully took out the remote, and pressed play. The scrolling images on the screen plunged the scene back into a deathly silence. The group of people who had just been arrogant and ferociously aggressive now stood speechless, watching the content on the screen. It displayed three years’ worth of evidence of Daniel and Ashley’s affair and cheating. Even more, it detailed his records of property transfers, started long ago, to prepare for our divorce. And the money my parents had lent him in my name over the years, All the help and investment my family had put into his company, everything was laid bare before him. Though I doubt he was really paying attention. Daniel’s face was ashen, refusing to accept the facts before his eyes. But facts were facts; he couldn’t deny or explain them away. “I don’t believe it! This…all of this is fake! You fabricated it to frame me!” He shoved Ashley aside, lunged forward to snatch the remote from my hand, and tore the flash drive from the console in one frantic motion. Then he hurled both to the floor and stomped them into shattered pieces. “Chloe, these are all fake. Don’t take them seriously.” I looked at the shattered pieces on the floor, my voice cold. “You can destroy these all you want. I have plenty of backups. And do you really think these are the only things I found?” “What… what else is there?” Daniel’s voice shook. I thought of him taking Ashley to various events, posing as Lily’s parents, causing my daughter such deep psychological trauma, and it drove me insane. At this point, there was nothing left to hide between us. I scoffed. “All that money you, your uncle, and your brother lost over the years…it wasn’t just ‘business,’ was it?” “What are you implying? Of course it was!” I couldn’t be bothered to argue with him. I silently pulled out another flash drive and played it on the big screen.
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