To save my wife and daughter, I was severely injured and hospitalized. When it came time for family to sign for my surgery, my wife was at the cemetery visiting her first love’s grave. “You won’t die without the surgery, but today is the anniversary of his death!” she said. “Stop calling me!” Every year on this day, my wife would visit the grave of her deceased love without fail, rain or shine. I resigned myself and closed my eyes. The moment she hung up, I could hear her breathing grow heavier. “You’re so bad!” she panted. “Not only are you sleeping with someone else’s wife at a gravesite, but you’ve let another man raise your daughter for four years.” The sounds of kissing and moaning grew louder in my ear… 0 The phone crashed to the floor as my mind went blank. I fell out of the hospital bed in a daze. Pulling out my IV, I rushed past the protesting nurses straight to Peaceful Hill Cemetery. “Quick, stop! Someone’s coming!” A woman’s seductive voice reached my ears. I hid behind a gravestone, clenching my fists as I stared intently at the entangled figures in the darkness. A cat darted past as the man teased: “Even if it was a ghost, not just a person, you’d still have to be with me today. Besides, James is so badly burned – how could you stomach touching him?” Olivia playfully pushed him: “Don’t be silly! I haven’t let him touch me since the abortion.” Abortion? Two years ago, Olivia was pregnant with our second child. Unlike the joy of her first pregnancy, she was depressed all the time. I didn’t think much of it then, trying my best to fulfill her wishes. Even when she hit and kicked me, I never complained. Despite this, just after three months, we “accidentally” lost the baby. My fingers dug into my palms until they drew blood. “Not even once?” the man asked huskily. Olivia laughed lightly: “I can tell the difference between true love and an ATM.” “Who would have thought that the cold, dignified CEO in public would beg like a dog in private, failing each time. He always had to take care of himself in the bathroom…” Her mockery felt like a bucket of ice water dumped over my head. After Olivia’s miscarriage, she deliberately teased me. When I finally made a move, she accused me of being “inconsiderate”, blaming me for the miscarriage… The man’s movements quickened, drowning out Olivia’s murmurs. Lightning flashed, and the man’s face overlapped with the photo on the gravestone. Ethan Wilson. He wasn’t dead. 0
Ethan only got off Olivia when the downpour started. Olivia hurriedly pulled on her clothes, her cheeks flushed as she scolded him: “The ATM is waiting for me to sign for his surgery! Now I’m soaked – how will I explain this to him?” “Come back to the villa with me. You’re not allowed to go home tonight!” Olivia’s eyes widened: “How could I do that?” Ethan narrowed his eyes, his tone displeased: “What, have you fallen for him?” “Your grandfather is dead now, no one can stop us anymore. How much longer are you going to hide me?” Olivia hesitated for a moment. Then she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him, coaxing: “A $2 million villa is beneath you, I know. Just wait a bit longer. Once I get Grandpa’s $100 million inheritance, I’ll divorce him immediately.” Ethan smirked as he scooped Olivia up, heading straight for the villa complex outside the cemetery. This villa was the compensation Olivia had insisted I give her after she lost our second child. The cold rain pelted my body as I shook uncontrollably, but my mind had never been clearer. This must be what it feels like to have your heart ripped out. I let out a bitter laugh, then called my lawyer: “According to Grandpa’s will, donate his entire $100 million inheritance to the Children’s Foundation.” Olivia, this is where we end. 0
The next day, Olivia brought our daughter to visit me. When Emma saw my burned face and torso, she screamed: “Daddy’s a monster! I don’t want Daddy, I want Daddy Ethan…” Olivia covered Emma’s mouth, then turned to scold me: “Couldn’t you have wrapped some bandages around your face? What if you traumatize the child!” I coldly replied: “You didn’t need to come.” Olivia was taken aback. I had never spoken to her in that tone before. The next moment, she grabbed some bandages and started roughly wrapping them around my face. As the bandages touched my wounds, it felt like thousands of leeches biting and sucking at the injuries. Blood quickly soaked through one layer of bandages, so she just kept adding more layers, all while taunting me: “You’re such a failure as a father. Your daughter thinks you look like a monster – I’d say you’re even worse than that.” Olivia seemed to have forgotten that I was burned saving her and Emma. “What are you doing?! He just had medicine applied, do you know how much pain he’s in?” A young nurse rushed in, pushing Olivia aside to gently remove the bandages and reapply medicine. “If you don’t care about him, I do!” “You didn’t touch his waist, abdomen or upper thighs, did you?” The nurse’s words sparked the imagination. Olivia glanced at my lower body: “James, you didn’t…” My face stung fiercely from the fresh medicine, bringing involuntary tears to my eyes. Before I could deny anything, she had already taken out her phone to snap photos. After taking several pictures, she fiddled with her phone, a satisfied smile on her face. When she turned back to me, she covered her nose in disgust: “I’m warning you, Emma is still young. Don’t bring your germs home! Stay here and recover properly these next few days. The care worker will look after you.” As she reached the door, she called back to me: “Hey!” My heart clenched. After being her workhorse for years, I wasn’t even worthy of being called by name anymore. The hickey on Olivia’s neck stung my eyes. “I’ll take over the company for now. Don’t bother me unless you’re dying – I’m busy.” After Olivia left, I opened her social media. She had arranged the horrific photos of my injuries into a collage, proudly displayed for all to see. With the caption: [Bad news: James injured his manhood. Good news: At least we have Emma.] Every word of hers stomped mercilessly on my pride and dignity as a man. The paternity test results popped up. With trembling fingers, I opened it. As expected, Emma wasn’t my biological child. I took a deep drag of my cigarette. As the smoke filled my lungs, I resolved to seek treatment abroad. Before turning off my phone, I glanced at the company’s latest financial report. Olivia had no idea that the prize she was so eager to snatch was nothing but a hot potato. 0
A month later when I returned to the country, I checked my phone to find Olivia hadn’t sent a single message asking about me. As soon as I opened the door, Emma ran over to hug me: “Daddy, did you buy Emma’s favorite dumplings?” When she looked up and saw my face, her smile froze. The arms hugging me jerked away as if electrified, her lips pursed in displeasure. I deliberately asked her: “Where’s the daddy who buys you dumplings?” Emma rolled her eyes and ran into Olivia’s arms. “James, even jokes have limits. Don’t forget, we’re not officially married yet – you’re still on probation.” Olivia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking at me as if granting a favor. Good thing we never registered our marriage. Saved me a month-long cooling off period for divorce. I headed straight for the master bedroom to pack my things, only to find half the gold bars missing from the safe. And my custom tailored suits in the closet showed signs of being worn and washed. The messy bed even had a few strands of another man’s hair. Disgusting! “James, why didn’t you buy me that limited edition handbag?” Olivia barged in with her hands on her hips, pointing at my nose as she yelled: “I order you to fly to Italy right now and line up to buy me that bag!” When I loved her, I found her temper cute and endearing. Now that I don’t love her, she’s just a shrew. “Have your little lover buy it for you.” I picked up the hairs from the bed and flicked them at her nose in disgust: “Olivia, aren’t you afraid of catching something? You’ll let any trash into our home.” A flash of guilt crossed her eyes. But she quickly regained her haughty demeanor: “What? You can’t perform, so am I supposed to live as a widow forever?” I had no interest in arguing further and picked up my suitcase to leave. Olivia stepped in front of me, showing weakness for the first time: “Don’t be angry. I was away for a few days and my cousin stayed here with her boyfriend. The young ones got a bit carried away.” Olivia couldn’t even be bothered to come up with a decent excuse. “Come to the office tomorrow. The company can’t function without you.” “Fine.” During my month abroad, besides medical treatment, I had been busy developing my own company. To be safe, I made two plans. The Wilson Group and my own company would share resources in contacts and talent, paving the way for my future. 0
As soon as I entered the company, I saw the sympathetic looks from the secretary and colleagues. When I pushed open the door to the general manager’s office, Ethan was actually sitting in my chair. “James, this is Ethan. He’s actually still alive – my years of prayers must have moved heaven. You know how happy I am, right?” Olivia clung to my arm, gauging my reaction: “You’re happy for me too, aren’t you?” Ethan stood up and extended his hand to me, more like a challenge: “James, nice to meet you!” My eyes swept past him, landing on the belt at his waist. That belt was a token of love Olivia had given me, the only one of its kind in the world. Blood rushed to my head as I grabbed his collar, my fists raining down uncontrollably on his temple. Colleagues gathered at the door to watch the spectacle, debating who was really Olivia’s husband. Anger, humiliation, resentment and hatred all surged up at once. I just wanted to beat this man to death! “Slap!” A sharp pain stung my cheek. Only then did I notice Ethan had collapsed in a pool of blood, his face swollen like a pig’s head. Olivia held Ethan tenderly, yelling at me: “James, apologize! You must apologize to him!” After regaining my composure, I coldly looked at Olivia: “Apologize? You want me to apologize to your lover?” “Olivia, are you so broke you can’t even afford a belt, resorting to letting your lover wear mine?” Olivia’s eyes blazed with anger as she defended her beloved: “James, how dare you say such things?” “If it weren’t for Grandpa forcibly separating me and Ethan back then, how could you have your current wealth and status? When you think about it, everything you have now was stolen from Ethan’s happiness!” Ethan had ulterior motives, which is why Olivia’s grandfather had promoted me and arranged our marriage instead. Over the years, it was my hard work that grew and strengthened the Wilson Group. But with Grandpa’s body barely cold, Olivia couldn’t wait to bring her lover in to seize the family assets. Since she was done pretending, I would make the first move. I pulled off my wedding ring and threw it forcefully to the ground, my attitude resolute: “Make him leave. Otherwise, we’re through.” 0
After a long standoff, Olivia finally had security escort Ethan out. After dispersing the crowd of onlookers, Olivia’s expression softened as she spoke gently: “James, you never used to embarrass me in public like this. Doing this today… are you upset that I’ve been neglecting you?” I used to think that her willingness to have my child meant she truly loved me. I was willing to let her have her way in everything. Now, she doesn’t deserve that. Olivia’s fingers trailed up my chest: “There’s nothing going on between me and Ethan. Why don’t you come test it out tonight?” I swatted her hand away. Disgusting. Olivia’s face darkened as she glared at me through narrowed eyes: “I give you a way out and you don’t take it. You really think I won’t break up with you?” I stepped on the ring, completely certain: “You wouldn’t dare.” As I left the office, I calculated in my mind. Within a week, Olivia would come begging me to take her back. Unexpectedly, it took less than three days before Olivia tried to make amends: “Honey, I was wrong. The creditors are blocking the office building entrance. I really have no other choice.” I impatiently tapped the desk, brushing her off with an “Mm.” She grew anxious: “What do you mean ‘mm’? Tell me, what do I need to do for you to forgive me?” She had fallen into my trap, just as I planned. I gave a cold smile as I toyed with her: “Olivia, I really don’t know what to do with you.” “It’s simple to make it up to me. Just change your phone wallpaper and the photo frame on your desk to a picture of our family of three.” “A man needs to save face in public too. We’re family after all, let’s not make things too awkward.” Olivia breathed a sigh of relief on the other end of the phone. A minute later, after she sent over screenshots of the changed photos, I leisurely made my way to negotiate with the creditors. Seeing it was me, the creditors’ attitudes immediately softened. Not only did I smooth things over with the creditors when I left the office, I also managed to sign a major new contract. Ethan’s face turned green as he hid in a corner of the company. 0
To celebrate landing the deal, I invited everyone out for drinks. My colleagues know how to read the room. To curry favor with me, they kept forcing drinks on Ethan. After a few glasses of wine, Ethan stumbled drunkenly into the restroom with Olivia following close behind. Curious to see what would happen, I trailed after them. The alcohol had loosened Ethan’s tongue as he whined pitifully: “Olivia, you’re so heartless. Do you know how I’ve spent these past few years?” “While I was in hiding, eating dry ramen in basements, you were having your dream wedding with James.” “When I was hit by a car while delivering food, hovering between life and death, you were in the hospital giving birth to James’ child.” Olivia was overcome with sympathy, comforting Ethan with kisses. Soon Ethan stopped complaining and started ranting indignantly: “And James, he just got lucky, born with a face your grandfather liked. He used that to climb the ladder and reach the top in one step.” “I don’t care about the money, but how dare he steal your heart? I can’t accept it!” In the scuffle, Olivia’s phone crashed to the floor. The cracked screen flickered, showing the family photo of the three of us as the wallpaper. I smiled. My plan to drive a wedge between them had succeeded. Olivia completely broke down. She clung desperately to Ethan, apologizing over and over, begging him to forgive her and the Wilson family. “Everything James has, I’ll make it up to you.” Olivia pleaded with him through her tears: “I’ll make James give you his position as general manager. I’ll repay everything the Wilsons owe you!” I was eager to dump this pile of garbage on Ethan. But unexpectedly, Ethan wasn’t satisfied and made a new demand: “The Wilson Group’s debt ratio is too high, it’s not worth investing in. Cash out your shares and use that to start a new company for me.” Hm, he has some brains after all. But not much. Olivia hesitated. Ethan immediately threatened to break up with her. In her panic, she hastily agreed to his request. After leaving the restroom, Olivia came to lay it out for me: “James, can you buy all the shares I own?” “This is what I owe Ethan. I want to liquidate the assets under my name. You don’t have any objections, right?” Under my manipulation, the Wilson Group’s stock price had plummeted. Buying back all the shares now would be like picking up a bargain at rock bottom prices. “Are you sure?” I raised an eyebrow at her, feigning reluctance: “You’re spending money on your lover like I’m already dead, is that it?” “I can buy the shares, but that means buying out our relationship too. We break up – do you agree?” Olivia shook her head. She explained with a wronged expression that the belt was just a misunderstanding, that she still loved me, that she didn’t agree to breaking up. After some back and forth, I “reluctantly” agreed to buy her shares. Olivia had no idea that in a month’s time, the Wilson Group’s stock price would hit a record high. At this moment, blinded by love, she was secretly promising Ethan behind my back: “Take this money first as startup capital for the company. Once Grandpa’s inheritance comes through, I should be able to get at least $50 million…” I leaned against the doorway, eavesdropping. The corners of my mouth curved up involuntarily.
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