Married to My Bestie's Husband

The first morning of the New Year.Fighting the exhaustion of a high fever, I handed Ethan the divorce papers.He frowned, displeased, and asked, "Is this because of last night's punishment?""Victoria, if you didn't overstep your boundaries, I wouldn't have punished you. You should learn to reflect on yourself," he said.I suppressed the urge to defend myself. My voice was hoarse, but steady. "Just sign it.""What about our son?""He was never my biological child. Of course, I won't fight for custody." I paused, then added, "And don't worry, I won't ask for any share of your assets. Consider that my contribution to his upbringing."Ethan glanced up, slightly surprised. It was no wonder—after all, I'd always valued that child above everything else.With a cold expression, he warned, "I advise you to stop this nonsense. If you keep pushing, there'll be no turning back."He thought I was throwing a tantrum.But what he didn't realize was that from the moment I decided on divorc

After settling the matters at hand, I went to pick up Jack from his grandmother's house. But I hadn't expected that when he saw me, he wouldn't run to me, calling out in his soft, babyish voice, "Mom." He didn't remember me anymore. Later, when he started school and mingled with classmates, he grew even more distant. He complained that I wasn't like the other mothers—successful and admirable. He said I didn't have a "real job."The police officer's voice jolted me out of my thoughts.As it turned out, Caleb had been clever enough to hide in a trash bin and escape. He never boarded that ill-fated ship. A homeless man had found him and taken him in, and the two had relied on each other all these years. Recently, after the old man passed away, someone discovered Caleb living alone and reported it to the authorities. That's how they found him.Caleb was dark-skinned, frail, and timid, his demeanor utterly heart-wrenching. I knelt down, gently stroking his small head. "Don't be scared. I

"Caleb, are you okay? Did he hurt you?"I searched him over, my eyes scanning for any signs of injury.That was when Jack broke down. He suddenly burst into tears, loud and unrestrained.Since starting kindergarten, he had rarely cried like this. But now, his sobs were relentless, his face crumpled in what seemed like unbearable grief.In the past, if I saw him like this, I would have knelt down immediately, scooped him up, and held him close. I'd whisper softly, "Don't cry, don't cry. Mommy's here."But now, I felt nothing. My concern was for Caleb alone."I'm fine, Auntie," Caleb said, his voice obedient and calm. "But he told me to stay away from you. He said you're his mom. Is that true?"I shook my head. "He's lying. I'm not his mom."Hearing this, Jack's crying abruptly stopped. His eyes widened in shock, as though my words had struck him harder than any physical blow.At that moment, Ethan's voice drifted over before he even appeared."Ha! You're still pretending. You

Ethan followed me inside like it was the most natural thing to do. "You're really staying in a place like this? I can't believe it. Leaving behind a spacious villa to live in this cramped little box?"My patience finally ran out. "Ethan, are you deaf? We're divorced. Coming into someone else's home without permission is trespassing. Now, get out."He still thought I was just throwing a tantrum and refused to leave. With no other option, I called security to have both him and Jack "escorted" out.The next morning, as I headed to work, I saw him waiting by the parking lot entrance. I ignored him, but he maneuvered his car to block mine.Rolling down his window, he said, "Let's talk. About the divorce."Perhaps it was time to settle this once and for all. These constant entanglements were exhausting.We chose the nearest café.Sitting across from him, I said coldly, "Say what you need to say.""You've lost weight. Have you not been eating well lately?"I paused, then replied, "St

He insisted on giving me a portion of his assets as compensation, but I refused.Before leaving, he suddenly said, "I'm sorry, Victoria. Whether you believe it or not, I truly loved you. Even if I only realized it now, please trust me."I smiled faintly and turned to leave.Later, Ethan didn't let go as effortlessly as he claimed. Instead, he began pursuing me again.He said that since I married him as a stand-in for my best friend, the failure of our marriage was understandable."Now, I want to pursue you openly, as yourself. Will you give me a chance to be your boyfriend? I'm a single father with a six-year-old son, but he's well-behaved..."He rambled on, but I only said one word. "No."He didn't give up. He kept sending coffee, buying gifts, tirelessly trying to win me over.Five months later, I started dating someone new.The boy was an intern at our TV station named Dennis Peters. He admitted he had admired me for a long time, calling me his idol."Victoria, I joined th