Chapter 3

My wife was never an ordinary woman.

…

Emily Watson got off work and came straight home. She walked in, set down her bag, and washed her hands first. Then she came over and took the baby from my arms.

"Thanks for doing all this, honey. If I didn't have business I couldn't step away from, I should've been the one doing all this."

I shook my head. "You just gave birth—that's the hardest part. Besides, plenty of people would love to stay home and be a pampered husband."

She let out a soft laugh and stood on tiptoe, pressing a kiss to my cheek.

At twenty-four, Emily took over her family's business and tripled its market value in three years. She was ruthless in business and uncompromising at the negotiating table. Even her own father once said she had a mind as deep as the ocean.

Someone like her—I didn't believe she'd fall for a cheap act like Kyle's.

The next afternoon, Kyle arrived. He was wearing a tailored suit and carrying a bag of bruised apples.

The overpowering scent of cologne hit the room the moment he stepped inside.

As soon as he walked in, he exclaimed, "Jason, man, you look terrible!"

He raised a hand like he was going to touch my face, but his eyes were already drifting toward Emily.

"Even if you're staying home with the baby, you still need to take care of yourself. Look at me—I work out an hour every day. My muscle definition is perfect."

He said this while standing proudly in the middle of the living room, chest slightly puffed out. His arms were as thin as twigs—no sign of any real training.

I looked at him and suddenly felt amused. That over-the-top act… how had I never seen through it before?

Emily was on the couch reviewing reports, not even looking up.

Seeing that no one was responding to him, Kyle froze for a second, then turned toward the crib.

"Oh, the baby is so cute! Come here, let Uncle hold him!"

He reached out right away.

But Emily stood up first and took the baby.

"You didn't sanitize. You're not clean."

Without another word, she carried the baby into the bedroom.

The door clicked shut.

Kyle's hand froze in midair, his face darkening.

I almost laughed out loud.

'That's my wife. Well played.'

Kyle wandered around the living room, loudly criticizing the decor as he went.

When I still didn't play along, he finally sat down at the edge of the couch.

"Hey, bro, where's that new Rolex of yours? The one you wore last time looked amazing. Let me borrow it for a few days. And Mom said your father-in-law gave you a gold watch? Let me see it—I might buy one too."

His eyes kept scanning the room.

I used to spoil him without hesitation. Whatever he wanted, I gave him.

Now I realized—I'd been nothing but a fool.

I smiled faintly.

"I sent the watch in for maintenance."

"The gold one? Oh, that's locked in the safe. Your sister-in-law has the key."

His expression visibly darkened.

Just as he was about to say something, the bedroom door opened.

Emily came out holding the baby, heading to change the diaper.

Kyle instantly switched his expression.

"Oh, hey, Emily! You shouldn't be doing this yourself!"

He rushed over, trying to grab the baby.

"Bro, come on, you should be helping out!"

Emily sidestepped him.

"My baby. Not your business," She said it flatly and skillfully spread out the diaper.

Kyle's hand froze in midair.

At that moment, his phone rang. He glanced at it, and a strange flush immediately spread across his face.

"Jason, something came up with a friend. I gotta go."

Emily had just finished changing the diaper.

She set the baby down, grabbed a wipe, and cleaned her hands.

"I'll see you out."

Kyle's eyes lit up instantly.

"Thanks, Emily!"

He reached out, trying to take her arm. But Emily had already turned and walked ahead. He missed completely.

After the door closed behind them, I sat on the couch, staring at their departing figures, a chill creeping through my entire body.

That earlier satisfaction vanished without a trace.

Half an hour later, Emily finally came back.

I sat on the couch with my arms crossed, staring directly at her.

"Who told you to see him out?"

Emily froze at the doorway.