I noticed a message on my husband Theo’s phone. He had booked a luxurious ten-day trip to Europe for Independence Day. I chuckled. Theo always enjoyed planning mysterious surprises like this. However, the surprise never materialized by Independence Day. He told me he had to leave for a business trip. Then, I stumbled upon a social media post from his secretary, Celeste: “Under the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, the kiss touches my lips but reaches my heart.” The accompanying photo showed Theo and Celeste locked in a passionate kiss. I saved the picture and sent it to the Lewis family group chat with the message: “Congratulations on your new daughter-in-law.” 0 The Lewis family chat erupted. Messages poured in: My mother-in-law: “Yanyan, is this a misunderstanding?” Theo’s cousin: “Wow, my brother sure knows how to have fun.” Our aunt immediately tagged the cousin: “Kids shouldn’t speak recklessly.” Theo’s little sister: “Why does this woman look so familiar?” Theo’s cousin: “Isn’t she the secretary, Celeste?” Silence followed. After a while, Theo sent a message in the group: “I lost a game of truth or dare and had to post a kissing photo. She’s just a young woman working for me. I didn’t want her to feel awkward, so I took the picture. Let’s move on and not make this difficult for her.” Theo called me shortly after: “Yanyan, let’s not be childish, okay? How could you post such a picture in the family group? The Lewis family is quite traditional. Please take it down.” I replied calmly: “Is there something about the photo that can’t be seen? I think it’s quite well taken, and the caption fits perfectly.” Theo’s voice grew impatient: “I told you, she lost a dare game. Why are you making such a fuss over a young girl?” I sat up straight and spoke seriously: “She kissed my husband, so it matters to me. If you had no interest, you wouldn’t have let this happen. Theo, I hope you won’t make a mistake.” His tone softened: “Alright, I’ll be careful next time. I’ll bring you a gift when I return from the trip.” I checked the time and asked: “When will you be back from the business trip?” He gave a date that perfectly matched the travel agency’s ten-day tour schedule. Theo had finally betrayed our marriage. A few days later, when Theo returned, I went to the airport to pick him up. It wasn’t that I was clingy; today we had to attend a family gathering for the Lewis family together. Theo emerged pushing a cart full of luggage, with a demure Celeste following him. Upon seeing me, Celeste took a step back, looking bashful: “Mrs. Theo.” Theo gently hugged me and kissed my cheek: “Honey, you must be tired.” I could still smell traces of a woman’s perfume, likely from a recent kiss. I turned my face away, noticing a slight red mark on his shirt collar. I kept silent. Theo appeared unperturbed: “Honey, let’s drop Celeste off first, then head home.” He casually opened the passenger door, explaining that Celeste gets carsick. Celeste glanced at me from the passenger seat, looking cautious: “Mr. Theo, maybe I should take a cab.” Theo took my hand and spoke firmly: “You’re young. It’s not safe to be out alone at night. I’ll drop you off; it’s on the way.” On the way? An extra ten kilometers, if you say so. My eyes met Celeste’s in the car mirror, filled with unspoken understanding and a woman’s intuition. I lowered my gaze and softly asked: “Was it just you two on the business trip?” Theo casually replied: “No, other colleagues took different flights.” Before Celeste got out of the car, she handed me a box and tilted her head: “Mrs. Theo, here’s a gift I picked for you. I heard you like shawls, so I chose this one. I hope you like it. I’m just not sure if the color suits you.” Theo chuckled: “Yanyan is a bit older, not like you young girls who like playful colors. It’s perfect.” I choked slightly, sighing softly. 0
Once the car door closed, I sat up, distancing myself from Theo. He frowned: “What’s wrong?” I handed him a mirror to check himself. He quickly noticed the lipstick mark and frowned but explained: “Celeste almost fell when we got off the plane. I helped her, and maybe it happened then.” I took a deep breath, turning to look at him with sadness and an indescribable feeling: “Theo, we’ve been married seven years. There never used to be secretaries who couldn’t stand and left lipstick marks on you. When did secretaries start accidentally spraying perfume on you or getting lipstick on you?” He was silent for a moment, then apologized: “Okay, I’ll be more careful.” I felt suffocated. Even though our marriage was a business alliance, we dated for two years before marrying. There were feelings involved. Seven years of marriage now felt like it was ending. Before getting out to meet the Lewis family, he grabbed my arm, looking serious: “Are you upset? Because I didn’t spend Independence Day with you and went on a business trip with my secretary?” “When did you become so unreasonable? Acting like a little girl.” “You know Lewis Enterprises is at a crucial transformation stage. I really don’t have time to guess your thoughts. I’ve been abroad, busy for ten days. I’m really exhausted.” “You need to be a proper Mrs. Theo, not someone showing emotions on her face.” I suddenly lost patience with this charade, shaking off his hand: “Independence Day European luxury tour? Business trip? Am I the only fool in the world?” “Was the kiss under the Bridge of Sighs sweet? Do you like her heart?” I pushed open the car door and left without looking back: “Let’s play the perfect couple tonight, then take some time apart to cool down.” The family gathering left me exhausted. Pretending to be the perfect couple was draining both physically and emotionally. Back home, I took a bath, put on pajamas, and applied body lotion. Theo hugged me from behind, coaxing softly: “Honey, I was wrong. I’ll never talk to her again. If you want, I’ll transfer her to the branch office, okay?” I broke free from his embrace: “Theo, don’t hug me with other women’s perfume and lipstick on you.” He held me again: “I was wrong. Let’s wash it off together, okay? You can peel my skin off.” He started kissing me. I was about to slap him when his phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID: “Little Clumsy.” On the call, Celeste’s voice was coy and tearful: “Mr. Theo, what do I do? I messed up the data in the files I brought back. I don’t know how to fix it. The contract needs signing tomorrow, what do I do?” Her voice was filled with fear and a young girl’s dependence on someone in power. Theo frowned, responding: “What’s wrong with you? How could you be so careless? Wait at home, I’ll be there soon.” After hanging up, he put on his coat and told me: “This contract is important. I have to oversee it myself. You sleep first, don’t wait for me.” He left in a hurry, not even remembering his scarf. I sat quietly on the sofa, hearing a notification on my phone. I opened it. It was Celeste’s new social media post: “Serious men are the most handsome, whether in work or in other things.” The photo showed Theo painting Celeste’s nails under a lamp. My suspended heart finally shattered. I locked the door, put on an eye mask and earplugs. He wasn’t coming back tonight. The next morning, while having breakfast, the maid asked: “Is Mr. Theo not eating breakfast?” I put down my utensils and thought: “You probably won’t need to make breakfast for him anymore. I doubt he’ll be eating at home much.” I picked up my phone and opened Celeste’s social media. Sure enough, she posted another picture with a warm touch. Theo was sitting at a roadside stall, with steaming soy milk and buns on the table. The misty, warm scene was beautiful. Two pairs of chopsticks and bowls were on the table. The caption read: “Simple happiness is having you and me, the warmth of life.” This public display of affection seemed endless. Theo is so picky about food. He’s allergic to dairy and peanuts, and eating anything unclean gives him gastritis. Our chef’s standards are higher than those of a five-star restaurant. He ignores a breakfast comparable to a five-star hotel’s and eats at a street stall. Clearly, he’s blinded by love. I couldn’t resist liking the post. Quickly, the post was deleted. 0
My prediction soon came true. Theo was hospitalized for severe vomiting and diarrhea. When I arrived at the hospital, Theo was pale and receiving an IV. His secretary was crying with red, swollen eyes, looking a hundred times more upset than I was as his wife. Theo was still asleep. Celeste saw me and immediately stood up, whispering: “I’m sorry, Mrs. Theo, it’s all my fault.” I stopped her: “Of course, it’s your fault. You have a major role in his hospitalization. Have you thought about how to explain to the Lewis family that you single-handedly landed Theo in the hospital?” “Yanyan, it’s not Celeste’s fault.” Theo woke up, speaking weakly. When I arrived at the hospital, Theo lay there, looking pale as he received an IV drip. His secretary was beside him, crying so much that her eyes were red, appearing far more distraught than I, his wife. Theo was still asleep when Celeste noticed me. She quickly stood up and whispered, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Theo, it’s all my fault.” I interrupted her, “Of course it’s your fault. You played a significant role in Theo ending up in the hospital. Have you thought about how you’re going to explain to the Lewis family how you managed to get Theo admitted all by yourself?” “Adeline, it wasn’t Celeste’s fault,” Theo said weakly as he woke up. Celeste rushed to his bedside, her eyes as red as a rabbit’s. “I really didn’t know you couldn’t eat street food. Next time, I’ll cook for you myself, okay?” Theo gently cut her off, “You should go home. There’s no need for you to take care of me here.” I stood up from the sofa and stopped Celeste from leaving. “No, let her stay. She seems to be the best person for the job. I have business to attend to, and I can’t spend time at the hospital.” Theo hastened to explain, “I was up all night working on data, and Celeste felt bad and treated me to breakfast. Don’t misunderstand.” I grabbed my bag, shaking my head at his explanation. “Having an incompetent secretary is Lewis Enterprises’ issue, not mine. But I can’t help but be upset that my husband worked all night with a young girl and ended up hospitalized due to some ‘carefree joy.’ So, I don’t want to see you today.” Behind me, I heard Celeste’s anxious voice, “It’s all my fault. Should I try to explain and make Mrs. Theo less angry?” Theo comforted her with a hoarse voice, “Stop crying, or you’ll really look like a bunny.” That night, amid my mother-in-law’s constant worries and hints, being a daughter-in-law in a wealthy family felt burdensome. Fortunately, it wouldn’t be for much longer. In the end, I still brought some nourishing soup to the hospital. The door to the VIP ward was slightly open. Just as I was about to push it further, I overheard voices inside. “Theo, I kissed you because I genuinely have feelings for you. I don’t care if you’re married. I don’t want you to marry me; I just want to be by your side. Please don’t transfer me.” “Please, don’t abandon me.” Celeste’s soft, heart-wrenching cries reached my ears. Peering through the gap, I saw Celeste, tears streaming down her face, leaning against Theo, looking up at him with admiration and reverence as if he were a deity. She gently lifted her face and kissed him, pleading, “Please.” Finally, Theo responded, and their kiss deepened, becoming long and intoxicating, enveloping them both. With a loud crash, the thermos in my hand hit the ground, startling them apart. Seeing me at the door, Theo froze, and Celeste blushed and hid behind him. Theo quickly removed the IV needle and rushed to reach me, trying to explain. I slapped him hard, turning his face sideways. “Get away from me.” Celeste darted over to stand in front of him. “Mrs. Theo, how can you hit him? It’s all my fault. If you want to hit someone, hit me.” Looking at the two of them made me sick. I didn’t want to say another word and turned to leave. “Adeline, it’s not what you think.” I spun around sharply. “Not what I think? Then what is it? A five-minute make-out session, and you tell me it’s just a good working relationship? Comforting a scared young girl?” “Don’t touch me, Theo. You disgust me.” “I’ll have the Lewis family’s lawyer contact you, Theo. I want a divorce.” Theo chased after me into the elevator. I swung my bag at him. “Get away from me. I don’t want to share an elevator with you. Your presence makes me nauseous; I can’t stand being in the same room with you.” Theo stood pale and dazed at the elevator door, watching it close slowly, my disappointed gaze feeling like it could kill him. When my elevator reached the first floor, Theo, still in his hospital clothes, was panting as he ran down the stairs, blocking me at the hospital entrance. “Honey, I don’t want a divorce. Don’t say things in anger. We can’t divorce. Hear me out.” I shook him off. “A misunderstanding? You want me to forgive you? What can you even say with sincerity? Theo, I’m so disappointed in you.” Theo held onto my hand. “No, I admit I messed up. I was foolish. Maybe I felt trapped. She’s young and refreshing, and I lost my mind for a moment. But Adeline, don’t cry. When I saw you, I realized you’re the one I truly love. With her, it was just a fleeting dalliance.” I glared at him coldly. “A fleeting dalliance? Your act is never-ending. Theo, are you an actor? Why not go for the next Best Actor award?” “What did you say? It was just an act?” Celeste had come down in the elevator, and as it opened, she overheard Theo’s words. Her tears fell like beads, and she stared at Theo. “Was everything you said last night a lie? Were you lying when you said you loved me in bed? When you said she was boring? When you said you’d divorce her and marry me?” “What about me? I love you so much. Without you, I’d die.” She cried like a pear blossom in rain. Theo didn’t have time to comfort her and tried to catch up with me. There was a commotion behind us, and Celeste fainted softly on the ground. “Celeste!” Theo rushed over to hold her, looking back to find me gone as I drove off. “Adeline,” Theo shouted, but no one answered him. I inherited my fiery temper from my dad, direct and decisive. Back at the house I shared with Theo, I called a moving company to pack up all my belongings from the Lewis family’s place. The Lewis family’s old housekeeper was frantic, calling Theo’s phone, which was off, and then calling my in-laws. I didn’t take their calls. I just posted a video in the Lewis family group chat. This time, no one spoke up. It was a five-minute video of Theo and Celeste’s passionate kiss. The emotions and dialogue were intense, fiery, and passionate. I added a message: “Isn’t this kind of love worth me stepping aside for?” Then I left the group chat. From today on, I was no longer part of the Lewis family, with no ties whatsoever. Theo’s phone was off, so he had no idea the whole world was exploding outside his little love bubble. When I got home, my dad jumped up, ready to go break Theo’s legs in the hospital. My brother, stone-faced, called our partner companies, threatening to cut ties with anyone doing business with the Lewis family. The Lewis family’s legal team worked overnight to sort out our pre-marital and post-marital assets, drafting a divorce agreement. Celeste, still clueless, was posting about her happiness on social media, saying how much she loved seeing Theo wake up beside her. The photos showed Theo sleeping peacefully, clearly satisfied with their night together. I took the opportunity to save the photos and send them to my lawyer. I love how young girls share everything on social media when in love. It made gathering evidence so easy for me. Theo didn’t want a divorce, but it wasn’t up to him anymore. The collaboration between our families was in the process of being divided, handled by my dad and my father-in-law. Splitting the cooperation between two conglomerates wasn’t a simple matter. After Theo was discharged, he showed up at my house every day, trying to see me. My brother kicked him out each time, not even letting him in the door. But he kept showing up, rain or shine. My mom, unable to bear it, said to him with disappointment, “You say you love Adeline, but then you cheat. You say you don’t like her, yet you act like this. Why bother?” He knelt before my mom, begging, “Mom, please let me see Adeline. I truly care for her. I was foolish and kept making mistakes. Please let me see her.” “She can’t give me even one chance to explain. I’ll make it right with her.” My mom sighed and shook her head. “You should go back. Adeline said she won’t see you unless you sign the divorce papers.” Despite kneeling at our house, it was useless for him. I wasn’t even home. I had already embarked on a spontaneous trip with my best friend. My friend tilted her head, her eyes sparkling as she smiled at me, “You’ve been cooped up since you got married. You don’t know how exciting the world is outside.” We went to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to see the snow, to Shangri-La, and to Qinghai Lake. The beautiful scenery healed me, sweeping away my gloom, leaving only good vibes. The answers were on the road, freedom in the wind. I was determined not to be a fool for love. During this time, Celeste seemed to appear everywhere as Theo’s girlfriend. Friends sent me social media posts where Theo and Celeste were often spotted together. I found it amusing. Theo must have lost his mind, refusing to divorce yet flaunting his affair everywhere. Was he trying to make it obvious? When I returned to Seaside City, two months had passed. The answers lie on the journey, freedom is in the breeze, and I refuse to be a fool for love. During this period, Celeste openly took on the role of Theo’s girlfriend. My friends would often send me social media posts featuring Theo and Celeste together. I found it quite amusing. Theo must have lost his mind; he refuses to get a divorce while flaunting his affair. Is he afraid people won’t notice his infidelity? When I returned to Seaside City, two months had already passed. Upon arriving at the airport, I was taken aback to find Theo waiting for me with a bouquet of flowers. He approached with a tender expression, “Wife.” I took a step back, looking at him coldly, “There’s no need for this, Theo. Why haven’t you signed the divorce papers after two months? Aren’t you enjoying yourself with your little mistress daily? Why keep dragging me along? Wouldn’t it be better for both of us to move on with our lives?” Theo’s eyes flickered with a hint of guilt, “We’ve been married for so many years, do you truly not care about our past? I really need you.” I laughed, “You don’t need me. You need a wife who can enhance your public image, and I’m tired of playing that role.” He needed my status as the eldest daughter of the Taylor family to boost his standing both within the family and in society. Where else could he find such a wife? If I hadn’t been swayed by his looks back then, I wouldn’t have fallen for it. The women he’s with now are only good for amusement. I pushed my suitcase past him and left without looking back, regardless of how dark his expression became. The next day, Celeste reached out to me, asking to meet. I didn’t need to guess that this meeting was to persuade me to divorce, but I went anyway. Before she could speak, I raised my hand to stop her, “I want to divorce Theo more than you think. So, you’d better find a way to get him to sign.” “Otherwise, how will you become Mrs. Theo?” My words left Celeste speechless. She bit her lip, twisting her fingers nervously, and finally mustered the courage to say, “I know you won’t reconcile with him and want a divorce. I didn’t come to you for that. I came because Theo has another woman.” What??
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