Chapter 1 A painful decision

VERONICA

On the day of our fifth wedding anniversary, my husband Christian's unforgettable ex-girlfriend appeared, with her bright and seductive aura that perhaps melted my husband's indifferent heart.

I, being the third wheel in their lives, watched them having a romantic candlelight dinner, which had never happened in the five years of our married life.

Far worse was that my four-year-old son Zeon was equally involved in this happy picture.

Zeon had not been intimate with me for the last two years, yet now, he was joyfully smiling at his father's ex-lover when Celine tried to wipe the cream from the corner of his mouth. "Zeon, who do you like more? Mommy or me?" she asked.

"Aunt Celine!" my little boy replied cheerfully, without any hesitation.

My heart bled at the reply as my fingers clenched the brown envelope in my hand; inside was the pregnancy report I had just received.

My marriage with Christian was ordained by our grandparents when I was still a baby. As a result of the move, we didn't meet until the engagement party.

I never planned to rush into a marriage, but when his Grandpa called it his last wish, it was hard for me to say no. Christian had just taken over as Vice Chairman position of the Wolfe Empire when we got married.

He was so busy, and to support his career, I had to stop my career plan and become a full-time housewife.

We never dated, and the only passionate time we shared was when we had sex.

After Zeon came, we only had sex once or twice a month. Suddenly, he stopped touching me anymore two years ago, as if I had become non-existent to him.

His family also started to prevent me from taking care of Zeon in person. They said Zeon as the heir needed the authentic elite education, and I couldn't give him that when my family had been already bankrupt many years ago.

And my husband? He never had any say in it.

I once tried to discuss this with Christian, but he was always busy in the company, and I was never allowed to meet him there. My identity as his wife had never been open to the public.

The anxiety of being separated from my son was enough to drive me crazy. Just before I was about to risk breaking the rules, Christian suddenly showed up in our bedroom two months ago.

I didn't have time to say anything before he pinned me eagerly to the bed. We had sex again. I took it as a good sign. However, Christian left straight for a business trip before I woke up the next morning.

I wanted to have a talk with him when he returned. I was ready for anything until I saw the positive result of my pregnancy test this morning. I thought it was our second chance from God.

So, I ordered the cake from my husband and son's favourite restaurant, planning a surprise for our fifth anniversary. However, I received the surprise first. My heart shredded into pieces as I watched Zeon sharing a kiss on Celine's cheek.

How long hadn't he done that to me? When did my son become so close to Celine? Were they purposely keeping me from seeing Zeon because they'd already found him a new mom?

Anger crept into my heart, and when I was about to head to them, Celine's other question came.

“Would you like to live with Aunt Celine, sweet Zeon?” Her voice was sweet but sounded only like evil spells in my ears.

A hush fell over my world as Zeon excitedly raised his hands, head tilted in thought. His answer seemed imminent, and I found myself lacking the courage to hear it anymore.

That was too cruel! No mother could face the pain of her child not wanting her.

"Hey, watch out!" A shrill shriek startled me as bumped into someone. Confused, I noticed the waitress standing before me, holding a damaged cake, while some of my dress was soiled with cream.

"Oh, I-I am so sorry!" I exclaimed.

The waitress appeared irritated. "Couldn't you watch where you were going?" she said sharply. "Do you realize whose cake you've ruined? It belongs to Christian Wolfe! You've ruined his wife's cake!"

Wait a minute—his wife?

I gazed at the young woman, astonished. Christian Wolfe's wife? Could it be that he ordered a cake for me?

Then, something truly alarming happened, leaving me shaken as cold fear washed over me.

"Oh dear, what am I going to do? It was her birthday!" she lamented, her eyes glaring at me.

So the cake was for Celine? Tears of remorse and ache welled up in my eyes. For five years, my husband has never publicly acknowledged me as his wife, and now he's announcing Celine to the world.

Something just broke within me.

I swallowed hard, my fists clenched against the hem of my dress as I considered confronting him publicly. A painful whimper escaped my lips as I felt a strong grip on my arm. Before I knew it, I was pulled into a corner and roughly thrown against the wall.

Instinctively, my hands went to my belly. My heart pounded as I looked up, my eyes widening at the sight of Diana Sparkles, my mother-in-law.

She is here as well? No wonder!

"What are you doing here?" She hissed. "Why are you constantly interfering in my son's life?" Her eyes are full of disdain.

"Ruin your son's life?" I stared in disbelief. "Christian is my legal husband!" I couldn't help but retort. My patience was wearing thin.

"Husband?" Her lips curved into a cold mockery, "What makes you think you have the right to call him your husband? What have you given him besides an heir?" She looked me up and down with disdain. "You are hardly presentable!"

"Now look at Celine," she continued. "She is well-educated, comes from a good family, and has impeccable taste, unlike you!"

Her words cut through me, making me feel hopeless, yet I refused to be silenced, not this time. I met her gaze firmly. "But at the end of the day, he is still my husband! You have no right to stop me!"

"My dear," her eyes welled up, "I must express my profound disappointment." She approached with a look of displeasure, "You claim to be his wife, but I question whether he feels the same. Does he truly consider you his wife?"

Her question left me speechless, dissolving my defences.

She chuckled coldly, "Only his grandfather's expectations led to this marriage." A frown creased her brow, "You were merely a means to secure his inheritance. However, I, as a mother, know what is truly best for him, and that is Celine. Even Zeon knows who could be a suitable mother for him."

Her words were a lash of whip on me, aching to the depths of my soul.

She moved closer, whispering, "Defences should stop interfering in my son's life. Let him live his life, Otherwise—" She gave me a warning glare defence before leaving with her arrogant defences.

A shaky breath escapes me as I lean against the cold wall... Even though I wanted to, I couldn't deny her demands. She was right. For whom would I fight?

The man I love, my husband, does not want me. My existence in his life is shabbier than a mere servant.

With anguish flowing through my veins, I walked out of the restaurant and returned home with a heavy heart. Entering the huge mansion, I felt nothing but coldness. This place is no home but an empire of expensive materials only.

That evening, Christian eventually came home. I watched as he gently placed our sleeping son in his bed before going to our bedroom. I followed him, observing as he undressed.

Everything before me is mixing up—his coldness and devotion to another woman, publicly acknowledging her as his wife, Diana's warning, my son's ignorance—my vision blurred, It's just a matter of time before he throws a divorce letter in my face—

"What are you staring at?" A cold voice startled me, harshly pulling me back to reality.

I looked up at him, meeting his void gaze. And before I realized it, I muttered the words I least expected—"Let's get divorced."

A slight hint of shock crossed his eyes, which soon faded. He turned to the long mirror and began to undress again. "Find some work if you're bored," he said.

A melancholic smile twitched my lips. So he thinks I'm just bored.

He turned to get into the shower but paused at my next words: "I-I'm serious. I want a divorce," I whispered.

He cast a disapproving look over his shoulder and spoke, "I don't have time for you; I'm busy enough. If you want a divorce, go ahead, but never dare to glance at Zeon again." He said coldly before entering the shower and closing the door loudly.

His words sent a chill down my spine, filling my heart with a cold dread. My hand instinctively went to my belly; what would become of my unborn child then? What would I do if he were detached from me like Zeon?

The idea itself churned my stomach. No! I couldn't bear the loss of this child as well! I had to leave before my pregnancy was discovered.

My entire night was sleepless. In our huge bed, I lay alone as Christian had left for work. I doubt, though, that he went to Celine.

A sharp pain pierced me as I sat up. Taking a deep breath, I shakily picked up my phone and called my best friend and advocate.

After several rings, he answered, "Vero, at this hour? Is everything alright?" His voice filled with concern.

I swallowed hard, "I-I need a favour from you..."

A few days later---

I look down at the divorce papers in a daze, my heart swelling with pain.

After much deliberation, my fear of losing my sanity and my second child ultimately outweighed my boundless love for Zeon. Despite the intense pain I felt, I had no other option; Christian had driven me to this point.

That evening, I left my husband a short note: "Let's separate, Christian. I've signed the divorce papers and left them for you. You are free from today onward." I placed the note and my wedding ring on the bedside table on his side of the bed.

I took the pregnancy report, along with my savings from before my marriage, and with one last look at our bedroom, I went to my son's room.

I left another note for Zeon: "Forgive Mommy, my sweet child. Perhaps one day you'll understand my actions tonight."

I walked into his closet and touched his small clothes as remorse consumed my heart. My heart ached to leave him, yet I was helpless. I don't know if I will ever see him again, but my son, I will always love you and regret leaving you.

Wiping my tears, I took one of his photos from the album and, at last, with a heavy heart, I walked out of the mansion without looking back.

I hope I never see Christian again, and that my son can forgive me in this life.