I stumbled upon a message from another woman on his phone: “I got a new dress. Want to come over tonight and see it?” The photo attached showed a skimpy piece of black lace, barely covering anything. Enraged, I confronted him. He brushed it off as a joke with a coworker, even turning it on me, suggesting I was making something out of nothing. Worse, he insinuated I had something going on with his brother. So, I actually turned to his brother. His brother is 6’2″, muscular, handsome, wealthy, and influential. I wasn’t really at a loss. **Chapter 1** The black lace in the photo was ridiculously small, delicately held between two fingers with red nail polish. Due to the angle, a hint of cleavage was visible in the photo. Evan emerged from the bathroom. “I have a party tonight. I’ll probably be back late, so don’t wait up.” “You know you don’t enjoy these parties; otherwise, I’d have taken you with me,” he said while getting dressed. “I want to go today.” His hands paused while tying his tie, but he quickly resumed as if nothing had happened. Maybe my tone was a bit harsh, and he sensed something was off. He chuckled lightly, his back to me. “You don’t like these parties, right? It’s just a bunch of guys; you wouldn’t enjoy it.” “What kind of party only has two people?” He spun around, his scrutinizing gaze shifting from my face to the phone on the table. “You checked my phone!” He unlocked it with his fingerprint, glanced at the new message, and then stuffed it back into his pocket. I hadn’t even started questioning him, but he was already on the offensive, looking fierce. “Coco, you never used to check my phone. You’ve changed!” “Evan, who really changed here? You haven’t even explained yourself. After all these years, how could you do this to us?” I was furious, my fists pounding the sofa. He irritably loosened his tie. “I told you, she’s just a colleague. If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do.” His eyes darted around as he slumped on the sofa armrest. I stood before him. “A colleague showing you lingerie, huh?” He pursed his lips, impatient, eyes red, looking up at me. “I haven’t even mentioned how you and Mike were sketchy last time. Who knows what you two were up to?” That was just a department dinner that ended late. I happened to run into Mike, so we came back together. Suddenly, I wanted to laugh. It was just like the videos I’d seen, where men raise their voices and counterattack when feeling guilty or exposed. “You two have been together all along, right? You look down on me, couldn’t handle being alone, so you went for my brother.” Desperate? It was the first time I realized he had this side. My hands shook at my sides, but I held back the tears. “Yeah, you’re right. I do like your brother. He’s better than you in every way.” He stared at me, incredulous. “Say that again!” “I like your brother. We’ve been together for a while now. Satisfied?” Evan’s fiery gaze moved from my face to the doorway, where Mike, his brother, stood. He wore gold-rimmed glasses, a dark suit, hands in his pockets, standing tall. His cold gaze through the lenses landed on me, making my cheeks burn. I sobered up a bit, unsure how much he’d heard. His leather shoes clacked on the floor, and a shadow loomed over me, making my heart race. Evan spoke first, pointing at me. “Big brother, she’s lying, right?” I frowned, about to speak, but his actions stopped me. Mike walked up to me, reaching out his hand, a ring on his left index finger. Under his calm gaze, I inexplicably placed my hand in his. **Chapter 2** Evan stormed downstairs. Rain pounded on the car roof, the engine roared, and he drove off. Rain surrounded the balcony, enclosing it in a tight space. I wrapped a shawl over my silver silk pajamas and sank into the sofa. Before this, he showed no signs of anything unusual. I always thought we were the happiest. Even if we might never have kids together. He was busy with work but called me every day. If he was coming home late, he’d let me know in advance, so I wouldn’t wait up. He’d tuck me in at night, always prepared surprises for holidays. When he had time, he’d cook for me, even if his skills weren’t great. He said he wanted to make it for me. So, when I saw the message from that woman, I couldn’t believe it. I thought it was a misunderstanding. To confirm my suspicions, I scrolled far up, hoping to find it was sent to the wrong person or that Evan had rejected her advances. Clearly, I was disappointed. They chatted every day. I couldn’t reach the top of their messages, which meant they’d been together for a long time. It was all real, not a misunderstanding. When the lies were exposed, and the truth was out, he showed his ugly side. It felt like all the past tenderness was an illusion. He was furious and made wild accusations, so different from the Evan I remembered. Memories flooded back, the sound of my phone hitting the floor snapped me back. Looking up, I saw him on the third-floor balcony—Mike, Evan’s brother. Black trousers, black shirt. Holding a glass of red wine, his expression indifferent, as if he always was like this, showing no emotion. Maybe because he was the head of the Johnson Corporation, years of business ups and downs had given him such a calm demeanor. I wanted to apologize, but he was gone from the balcony. Since Evan left, he hadn’t come home for days. Today, his assistant helped him back. “Ma’am, the young master drank too much today. I’ll leave him to you.” He was sprawled on the sofa, his face flushed and reeking of alcohol. He rarely drank this much. If he occasionally drank too much during social events, I’d help clean him up. I felt sorry for him, drinking so much to socialize. Now, seeing him like this, I stared at him for a long time, though my heart was already in turmoil. Countless raindrops fell on my heart, cold enveloping me, making it hard to breathe. After all, we were once so perfect. Together since sophomore year, it’s been six years now. I wanted to take a knife and cut open his chest, to see what’s inside. What kind of person can maintain a calm and beautiful life with me, while having another family outside? I don’t understand. I don’t understand why there are such people in the world. Lying in bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, even though I was exhausted, I couldn’t sleep. I was a child left behind by parents who worked away from home, sometimes not returning for a year. Later, they died in a car accident, and my grandmother passed too. I had too little love. Compared to other children left behind, I was even more hesitant to believe in others’ sincerity. I was afraid of gaining something only to lose it again. But I was cautious. Why did it end like this? Back then, he was the famous rich kid on campus. I was the well-rounded school beauty. His pursuit was intense, but I was unmoved. I didn’t believe someone like him could be sincere. Besides, I was busy with studies and work, had no time for such thoughts. But after a class-organized event, I was moved. It had rained the night before, and we walked along the winding mountain road. When I got in the car, the only seat left was the front passenger seat, and Evan was driving. It was our first outing, everyone was excited, discussing what to play when we arrived, unaware of the impending danger. A landslide blocked the road. Evan was about to get out to check, classmates in the back were craning their necks to look out the window. “Be careful, Evan…” Before the words were out, a rock rolled down and hit the hood hard. By the time we reacted, it was too late. Mud and rocks flowed down. It was too late to reverse. In panic, he pulled me into his arms. He let out a few grunts and then went silent. In the hospital, I accepted his confession. He took out a simple ring and put it on my ring finger. He wore an identical one. Tears fell down my temples, soaking the pillow. A loud knocking at the door pulled me from my memories. The knocking sounded like it would break the door down. **Chapter 3** “Mom, what are you doing here?” She stormed in, glanced at the bed behind me, then at Evan sprawled on the sofa. “Mom? You still remember I’m your mom? Is this how you treat your husband?” “He hasn’t been home for days, and now he’s back, you don’t even clean him up and let him sleep on the sofa while you sleep comfortably in bed.” I didn’t want to explain. She never liked me anyway. She started lecturing me again, about how a husband is like the sky, and a mother-in-law’s words are the rules. I used to endure because of Evan, but not anymore. “Someone else can clean him outside; I don’t need to.” The door swung open and someone stormed in with an air of hostility, casting a glance at the bed behind me before looking over at Evan, who was sprawled out on the sofa. “Mother? So you do remember I’m your mother. Is this how you treat your husband?” “He’s been gone for days, and when he finally returns, you don’t even bother to clean him up. You let him lie on the sofa while you sleep comfortably in bed.” I had no desire to explain anything to her; we’ve never really gotten along. She started on the usual lecture about how a husband is everything and a mother-in-law’s word is law. I used to put up with her for Evan’s sake, but not anymore. “Someone else can deal with him outside; I don’t need to.” She was dressed in opulent attire, carrying herself with the air of a wealthy lady, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she pointed at me. “That’s because you’re useless. All this time and you haven’t even managed to bear a child. Maybe you should look into your own shortcomings.” So she knew all along about her son’s affair. “Just as I thought, you should always consider a man’s parents. With a mother like you, it’s no wonder he lacks any moral direction.” I’m usually quite mild-mannered, but this was the first time I spoke so disrespectfully to her. She pointed at me, her finger trembling. “This is unbelievable! How did my Evan end up with such an unworthy woman?” “What era are we in? Still harping on about being ‘virtuous’?” She had the nanny help Evan clean up, and amidst her curses, I turned my back on her and returned to my room. Lately, I’ve been out of sorts at work. My colleagues commented that I looked worn out. This wasn’t some trivial spat that would blow over in a few days. It was years of trust collapsing in an instant. Warm memories shattered by the bitterness of mutual hurt. A woman, dressed to the nines, blocked my path. Her face was full of arrogant disdain. I knew who she was. Lily, the woman sending Evan messages on WhatsApp. “Coco, I assume you know who I am by now? Let’s not beat around the bush.” “Evan has agreed to marry me, so you’d better get the message and step aside. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I smirked slightly. “Are you sure he’ll actually marry you?” She rolled her eyes at me. “Of course. Do you know how much he likes me? He’s been with me for so long, and he hasn’t even touched me.” I laughed out loud. She was furious. “Have you lost your mind? What’s so funny?” I moved a little closer. “I just want to tell you, if a man and a woman are in bed together, and he’s not interested, then he’s just—” Before I could finish, a slap landed on my face, ringing in my ears. It was Evan, standing there while Lily laughed mockingly beside him. My face burned, and he dragged me a few steps away. “What nonsense are you spouting?” With a slap, I returned the favor. Chapter 4 He stared at me in disbelief, his expression one of shock. To him, I had always been gentle and understanding. But hadn’t I always seen him as a considerate family man too? Now, everything was different. He pulled me into the car, and my legs, encumbered by my dress, banged against the door frame. Before I could even fasten my seatbelt, the car lurched forward. It screeched to a stop suddenly, and he dragged me up to the second floor. I was powerless against his strength. “Coco, admit it, you look down on me! So why did you marry me?” “You women are all the same, right? Just after money. If I had none, you’d have left long ago!” I couldn’t help but cry—was it the pain in my knee or the hurt in my heart? “Evan, you were the one who pursued me first. Have you lost your conscience?” He picked up a cup from the table and smashed it on the floor. The flying glass cut both of us. I touched the cut near my eye, and it stung sharply. His eyes narrowed, a flash of danger in them. “I have my issues, but didn’t you know that before we married? What now, can’t handle being alone?” “If you want a man, find one outside, not at home, Coco. You’ve got some nerve.” His words were harsh, as if he were the victim. I’m not good at arguing, and at this point, there was nothing left to say. I pulled out the divorce papers from my bag. Half a month ago, I never imagined we’d end up here, after five years of sharing a bed and whispering to each other every night. Seeing the words “divorce agreement,” he rushed over and tore it in half. A cool breeze swept in from the balcony, and at some point, it had started raining outside. The rain splattered on his black leather shoes, and the droplets pounded on the umbrella, sliding down, surrounding us in a curtain of rain. “What are you doing? Divorce would be good for both of us, right?” His eyes were bloodshot, truly looking like a victim: “Divorce? Not a chance!”
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