Chapter 4

Chuck choked.

I crouched until I was at the same eye level as he was. "Stop lying, Chuck. It's not a good color on you. I'll give you three days to sign the papers, or I'll share those pictures with your investors and your company employees. I won't forget to give your mother a copy too. I want to show everyone how a self-professed DINK like you can be a 'wonderful father' behind everyone's back."

Chuck trembled violently, looking to be in despair. He did not sign the papers in the end, but started to put up a 'performance'. He started coming home on time to cook for me and to wash and massage my feet.

He gave me all his cards and car keys and told me that I would be in charge of the family assets. Chuck called Candice in front of me to say the most hurtful things to break up with her, and to warn her not to see him again. I could hear her sobbing hysterically over the phone, but Chuck refused to budge.

After hanging up, he expressed his loyalty to me right away, "Look, honey, I've really broken up with her. Can we not get divorced?"

If I had not installed a small GPS device inside his car and found out he had parked at another high-end district for two hours every afternoon, I would have believed him. That area was where Candice and Edwin lived.

Chuck was two-timing us and enjoying the best of both worlds. I was the money-maker, while Candice was the love of his life.

My mother-in-law eventually joined the battle. She started by calling me three times a day, berating me for not knowing what was good for me. She lectured me about how I should count myself lucky that my man was willing to come back to my side, and questioned me about what more I wanted.

When she realized that threats were not working, she started to play the emotional card by talking about the past and claiming that she had always treated me like her daughter. However, I ignored everything she said.

On the third day, Chuck went all out. He planned a grand dinner with the investors at our home, and he invited almost every renowned figure in the city. He wanted to put up a great show of how loving we were as husband and wife, and use the opportunity to force me into submission.

He looked at me with tears in his eyes, "Honey, please help me just this once. All I ask is one chance tonight. You can do anything you want after this. This investment is really important to our family and me!"

I looked at him and suddenly smiled. "Sure."

Chuck was delighted.

I looked at myself in the mirror. My makeup was exquisite, and I was dressed in an attention-grabbing, bright red dress with a trailing skirt. Since Chuck enjoyed putting up a show so much, I decided to give him a show to remember.

The guests arrived in troves that night. Chuck was in a haute couture suite, and he looked to be in high spirits with his arm around mine. He greeted every guest in attendance and played the part of the perfect husband. "This is my wife, Willow. She's a food critic, and I wouldn't be where I am today without her."

He described me as someone irreplaceable in his life, and I smiled graciously as everyone looked enviously at me.

After mingling with the guests and clinking glasses with everyone he met, Chuck walked up a stage temporarily set up for the event, and he started a passionate speech about the trials and tribulations of starting his career. He talked about the company's future blueprint and what it was like to be a strong and responsible family man.

"Behind every successful man is a great family. I'm lucky enough to have the best wife in the world, and we made a promise to spend the rest of our lives as DINKs and create an exciting world with only each other."

Everyone applauded, and I raised my glass while looking at him with a wide smile.

Once the speech was over, the lights dimmed, and the main course was served.

I had arranged for the pastry chef to create a huge cake for the event, and he wheeled the cake into the party venue. Everyone thought the cake was part of the party, and Chuck's expression changed when he saw the figurines on top.

It was a man, a woman, and a little boy. The little boy's figurine was created in the image of Chuck, and they looked very similar.

Before the guests realized this, there was a commotion at the door. I smiled when I saw who had arrived, and wondered what Chuck would do.