Chapter 2

I didn't know how much time had passed before I received a message from Maxwell on my phone.

"Things at the office are a little complicated, Val. I probably won't make it home tonight, so don't wait up for me.

"I ordered dinner for you from your favorite restaurant. Eat something and try to turn in early tonight."

I blankly read the message over and over, feeling like I could barely breathe.

I couldn't believe that Maxwell left me to be with another woman and her child. The man, who supposedly loved me so much, had changed and built a second family behind my back.

Heartbroken, I picked up my phone with shaking hands and dialed Mom's number. "Mom, I've decided to work at the Beryllian branch."

Mom had never approved of my decision to stop working after getting married. She had more than once mentioned that I should manage our operations in Beryllia.

But back then, I was so drowned in Maxwell's romantic lies that I believed our happiness would last a lifetime. I didn't want to be apart from him, so I turned her down without a second thought.

I never imagined that in less than three years of marriage, the happiness would vanish like a mirage.

"Fine then, Maxwell. I'm done with you."

…

Maxwell never came home that night.

After sitting in silence until dawn, I headed over to the visa center to start my application. It would take five days to process.

I thought about the weather in Beryllia and decided to head to a nearby mall to pick up some warmer clothes.

The moment I stepped inside, I spotted a familiar silhouette.

Maxwell was bent over, helping a young girl try on a pair of shoes. Standing beside him was the woman I had seen at the kindergarten gates yesterday afternoon.

When our eyes met, Maxwell's expression flickered with panic. His hands froze in mid-air.

But in just two seconds, he regained his usual gentle composure and stood up to walk toward me. "What a coincidence, Val. Are you here shopping, too?"

He stepped aside and pointed at the woman to introduce her. "This is Maya Bennett, my secretary. I brought her here to pick out a gift for a client."

I chuckled. "I didn't realize you started hiring female secretaries again."

His expression stiffened for a split second, while Maya flashed a smile and extended her hand to me. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Ford. Mr. Ford talks about you all the time.

"I'm new at the company. When Mr. Ford found out I was a single mother, he promoted me to secretary so I'd have a higher salary to raise my daughter.

"I'm incredibly grateful to him and the company. I'll work my hardest to repay his kindness."

I didn't shake her hand. Instead, my gaze fell on the diamond ring on her finger—identical to the one I was wearing.

For a moment, it felt so absurd that I almost laughed.

When we got married, Maxwell had specially commissioned a world-renowned designer to design my diamond ring. He had affectionately told me then that a one-of-a-kind woman like me deserved a one-of-a-kind love.

As it turned out, the ring had never been one of a kind, and I was never the only woman by his side.

I looked away, ready to leave, when the young girl suddenly threw herself at Maxwell's leg and sweetly chirped, "Daddy!"

My heart skipped a beat. Maya quickly intervened. "Lena, I told you that you just can't call anyone daddy, didn't I? Call him Mr. Ford."

She emphasized the words "Mr. Ford" pointedly, as if she was intentionally reminding me of something.

Lena glanced at me and reluctantly corrected herself, "Mr. Ford."

Then, she continued with a playful pout, "Mr. Ford, the prize for that family contest over there is a Berry Bear. I really want it, so could you join the race with Mommy and me?"

Just then, a group of socialites from our social circle, who knew both Maxwell and me, walked by. When they heard Lena's request, they couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm afraid the girl's going to be disappointed. Everyone knows how much Mr. Ford adores his wife, so there's no way he'd join some family event with another woman and her daughter."

Even though their voices weren't loud, everyone present heard them.

Maya took Lena's hand and looked at me apologetically. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Ford. Lena has never had a father figure join her at the kindergarten's family events, and the other kids tease her. That's why she bluntly asked Mr. Ford to go with her.

"I hope you don't mind."