Chapter 1

Even after a full decade of marriage, my husband Rudolf and I were as deeply in love as the day we wed—an enviable couple in the eyes of all.

On our anniversary, he said he had to go on a business trip. He left after showering me with gifts. A few minutes later, I noticed he had forgotten his briefcase. I grabbed it and chased after him, only to find him at the entrance of our neighborhood, lifting a little boy into his arms.

"Daddy, can you accompany me to the amusement park this time?"

The boy's words were enough to make me freeze as I swallowed the words I wanted to say. Instead, I instinctively hid around the corner.

"Of course. I'll even take you on a trip." Rudolf smiled warmly and kissed the boy on the forehead.

In that instant, something seemed to have exploded in my head, as if years of trust had been shattered at that one moment.

Daddy?

I looked closely and realized that the boy's features were practically the same as Rudolf's. No one could deny they were blood-related.

A beautiful woman, standing next to the boy, said gently, "Your dad's busy with work, sweetheart. Don't cling to him too much,"

When Rudolf and that woman's eyes met, they were seemingly able to communicate with each other with just a look—they didn't have to say a word.

I clutched my chest, which had suddenly spasmed with pain. I felt as though an invisible hand was squeezing the life out of me, and breathing became difficult. I told myself to calm down, but I couldn't stop myself from trembling.

The cruel moment before me made it clear. The man who swore he would love me forever had been cheating all along.

Rudolf and I were childhood sweethearts. I had stood by him through thick and thin.

Not long after our wedding, I was kidnapped by one of his enemies. During my escape, I was stabbed in the abdomen. I survived, but the injury damaged my uterus, leaving me unable to have any children.

Rudolf had fallen to his knees before me back then, eyes red and swollen as he said, "As long as you're alive! You're all I need in my life. I don't need any kids!"

I could still hear the tremor in his voice, but reality had shattered his vow.

He didn't love me anymore!

He had betrayed me!

I staggered backward, my heart feeling like it was being torn into countless pieces. The pain etched deep into my bones. I feared that if I confronted him out of recklessness right now, I would lose whatever dignity I had. I would be mocked and tossed aside.

So, I didn't dare to watch any longer. I turned and fled.

I immediately contacted a private investigator to look into what happened. I wanted solid proof.

For the past decade, Rudolf had been away for almost two weeks every month on business trips. I had never questioned it, but now I realized those trips must have been spent with that woman and their son.

Ten years…

And I hadn't doubted him even once. I had trusted him completely.

Now, reality had just dropped a bomb on me, mocking my stupidity. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, he would still be deceiving me.

Tears streamed down my face as I sat by the tall window, staring blankly at the message he had sent me.

[Honey, I love you. Did you miss me today?]

I didn't want to reply.

The message existed, but how much of the sentiment was genuine?

During his trips, he would always send me these texts to affirm his love. But now I knew they were just part of his good husband act.

Soon, my phone rang with that familiar ringtone.

Seeing "Husband" on the screen, I felt an overwhelming wave of irony.

"Honey, why didn't you reply? Are you feeling unwell? Do you want me to come back to accompany you?" His anxious voice came through the moment I picked up numbly.

"I was in the shower and didn't see your message. Focus on your work. Come back when you're done."

I lied. I didn't want to see him right now.

Rudolf exhaled audibly, relieved, then said gently, "Alright, get some rest. I'll bring you a gift when I come back."

I hummed in recognition.

Just as I was about to hang up, a woman's tender voice came through the receiver on his end.

"Darling, I want it already. Take off your clothes now…"