My Wife's True Love Owns Our Home

Charlene paused before hesitantly asking, "Javier, can I discuss something with you? It's just… Travis got into some trouble with his landlord and was kicked out. He can't find a suitable place right away, so would you mind if he stayed with us for a while? It's just a temporary arrangement."I almost laughed in disbelief.Did she have a few screws loose or something?"Do you really think that's appropriate?" I asked coldly in return."What's inappropriate about it?" she retorted impatiently. "Javier, since when have you become so petty? I already told you that he's in my past. You're the only one in my heart now."But he's all alone and really struggling these days, so what's wrong with offering him some help? Don't worry, I would never betray you."She made her vow with such conviction, yet she had already betrayed me the moment she decided to give our home to another man."Charlene, do you really see me as someone you can just push around? Do you think that just because I've

"Charlene, I feel awful. I can hardly breathe," Travis moaned.Charlene's expression changed instantly, and she quickly leaned over to check on him. "Travis, what's wrong?""I-I think I might be having an allergic reaction to eating peanuts," Travis stammered, pain evident in his voice.Charlene's gaze snapped toward me, sharp with accusation."Javier, you knew full well Travis is allergic to peanuts, so why didn't you tell the kitchen in advance?"Her question caught me off guard. Since when did I know about Travis' peanut allergy? And why would I ever instruct my father-in-law's kitchen staff about a stranger's dietary restrictions?Not to mention, the dishes were already on the table by the time we arrived."I didn't know he was allergic to peanuts," I replied coldly."You didn't know?" Charlene's voice rose sharply. "You clearly did this on purpose! Do you really hate him that much?"I was so furious I almost laughed. "So? What do you want me to do? Take responsibility for

Charlene picked up the divorce papers with trembling hands. Seeing I had already signed them, she clutched her head and sank to the floor before letting out a low, anguished cry.Memories flooded back—the property deed, her insistence that Travis move in, the argument at the family dinner, the moment she chose Travis and abandoned me on the roadside.Each memory cut into her, one by one.Only then did she begin to realize just how many terrible things she had done.After rising to her feet, she picked up the wedding ring from the table and clenched it tightly in her palm. She was determined, more than ever, to find me.Just then, Travis arrived. When he saw the divorce papers, the ecstasy in his eyes was almost impossible to contain.He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Charlene."This is wonderful, Charlene. After all these years of missed chances, we can finally be together openly! Don't worry, I'll take good care of you from now on. We can start over!"But Charlene

When I saw Charlene like this, I let out a soft chuckle. "What? Now you feel ashamed? But you seemed pretty happy when you were in bed with Travis. Did it ever cross your mind that I might find out one day?"Or did you think you could keep your marriage intact while having fun on the side? Charlene, you really thought you could have it all, didn't you?"The moment my words landed, Charlene completely broke down.She stood there, every justification and pretense stripped bare and utterly hollow. She stumbled back two steps, leaning against the fence behind her just to keep from falling.She opened her mouth, but no words came out. With the truth laid bare like this, any explanation would be meaningless.I looked at her pale, defeated face and continued, "Charlene, did you know when I saw that his name was on the deed instead of mine, I'd never felt so tired in my life. Not even during the days I worked three jobs."I lived in that basement with you, ate cheap bread with you, paid

I stared at Dad in shock."That's just what we told everyone else," he added.He picked up his cup of coffee, his gaze distant. It was as if he was seeing through time back to the night that changed his life forever."The truth is, the day before the company went bankrupt, she took the last of the cash reserve and ran off with her lover. It was only later that I learned they fell out over how to split the money, and he accidentally killed her in the struggle. Ironic, isn't it?"I was too stunned to speak."When the bankruptcy hit, the police had just called me in to identify her body."Dad's tone was calm, as if he were talking about someone else's story."I lived my whole life never expecting the person who shared my bed would give me such a surprise in my later years."A flicker of pain crossed his face, but it was gone in an instant."But I didn't even have time to grieve; creditors were circling like vultures. Not to mention, she'd left a complete mess behind. I couldn't a