Awake to Deception

Three months after having twins, I received pictures and a video from my best friend, Phoebe Doyle.In the photos, my husband, Derrick Wells, was hugging another woman. The video was even more explicit, showing the two of them kissing in a car.Phoebe anxiously asked, "Do you know Derrick has a mistress?"I replied calmly, "I do."Derrick's cheating wasn't new to me. I found out about his affair five months into my second pregnancy.Back then, I screamed, cried, and moved back to my parents' house. Three months postpartum, I was still staying there.At home, my mom played with the babies while glancing at me. "You're almost back to your pre-baby figure."I touched my soft belly and smiled. The 90 thousand dollars I spent on a personal trainer and nutritionist had been worth it.My mom studied my face with a mix of relief and sorrow. "Derrick stopped by earlier."I hummed in acknowledgment while teasing the babies.She pressed, "He left when he didn't see you. Are you really p

I stared at Derrick blankly.His eyes were filled with utter annoyance. A strange sense of dread gripped my heart.He continued, "I believe you chose me as your husband after careful thought. I, too, picked you as my wife for specific reasons. You're simple, easily content, respectful to elders, and fond of children."While you're not so ambitious, you know your place and have good judgment. Those are qualities of an ideal wife. But if you continue like this, I may have to reconsider our marriage."Her words left me breathless, as if an invisible hand clutched my throat, dragging me underwater where needles pierced my lungs.He added, "Stay at home, raise our children, and manage the household. I can provide you with a life free of material worries. You'll maintain your status and honor. I'll respect your contributions, tolerate your tantrums, and accept your whims within reason. Isn't that good? Why must you make a fuss over this?"I couldn't think, speak, or even cry. I just st

My dad's mistress made a scene, but my mom managed to send her away. While handling the funeral, my mom found time to take care of me."Before your dad passed, he made a will," she said. "90% of his assets and company shares went to us. The remaining 10% was split between his illegitimate son, your uncles, and your aunts. I did the math. That brat only got a fraction of what you got. The mistress has been making a scene every day, thinking her son would get most of your dad's wealth."I was puzzled. My dad loved his illegitimate son so much, yet he didn't leave his assets to him.My mother explained, "Your dad had already made a will before the car accident. Back then, he only left us 30% of his assets."I was shocked, and she continued, "After his accident, I told the doctors to say he didn't have much time left if the mistress asked. That fool believed it. She must have known about the will and thought she was safe, so she went on a trip with her lover. When your dad woke up, he

Then I suddenly remembered a conversation I had with my mom."Derrick has been behaving quite well lately," my mother said. "I haven't heard any rumors about him messing around."I smiled, "That's because I'm a good wife."I not only took care of the kids at home but also often accompanied Derrick to business events. Among the wives, I was poised and appropriate, always saying the right things.Although I wasn't big on socializing, I still had a place in the wives' social circle. Thanks to my efforts, Derrick's business was booming.A business partner once commented, "The reason I chose to work with you is because you're the only successful man who goes to those places and stays faithful."I learned about it through the man's wife and shared this story with my mom as a joke.My mother asked, "What's your plan?"I nestled against her chest. "I can't forget what he said to me in the hospital."She patted my shoulder. "I know it's hard for you to get over it, but you need to look