Who's He Hiding Behind My Parking Spot?

My heart lurched, hammering against my ribs.Matthew Channing and I had used those two parking spots for years, and nothing like this had ever happened before. But after a moment, I let out a small laugh and shook it off.The internet crowd was probably too deep into their drama binges. Everything had to be some big scandal with them.Matthew and I had weathered storms together for years. I knew him better than anyone. When I called him just now, nothing seemed off at all. He sounded exactly the same as always.We met in college and had been married for six years. When I couldn't bear to leave my parents and move to another city, he didn't think twice. He packed up his whole family and moved to mine, starting over from scratch.Two years ago, when I fell seriously ill, he quit his newly promoted director position on the spot just so he could take care of me full-time. After I rose to the management level at my family's company, I worked late constantly, but no matter how tired he

I stared at him, a dull ache spreading through my chest."What is she to you? You're snapping at me over someone I've never even met?"His expression softened, shifting into something that looked like helplessness with a touch of hurt. "I wasn't snapping at you. I just think you're being too sensitive. It was just a charger. Nothing's going on.""Or is this because you came home and saw my bad parking job, so now everything's rubbing you the wrong way?"Listening to him turn this around on me, I almost wanted to laugh. That righteous indignation of his only worked because he knew I didn't have solid proof."Fine. If you say nothing happened, then nothing happened."I didn't say another word. I went back to the bedroom and posted the surveillance screenshots on social media. The response was instant."She's going full surveillance mode on this scumbag. This is about to be a showdown!""Anyone can post a couple of blurry screenshots. This is probably just another clout-chasing st

A muscle in Matthew's face twitched, and then he arranged his face into one of confusion and disbelief."Vivienne, what are you talking about?" he asked. "I have no idea what any of this means."He stood up and looked around the room at the executives, his eyes wide and bewildered. "Everyone, please don't take this seriously. There has to be some kind of misunderstanding. My wife and I have always been close. You all know that, right?"The executives exchanged glances in silence, but nobody said a word.He turned back to me, his tone softening, a wounded edge creeping in. "Vivienne, whatever this is, we can talk about it at home. This is a shareholder meeting. Please don't make a scene.""I'm making a scene?" I scoffed. "I'm presenting facts, showing evidence, and stating my case."When you were cheating on me, did you think about sparing me the embarrassment? When you had a baby with that woman, did you think about my dignity then? When you had your parents raising your secret c

"What are you doing here?" I asked.Matthew stepped closer, his voice hoarse. "Your parents wouldn't let me inside. They said I needed your permission first. So I've been waiting out here for you."I nodded. This actually worked out perfectly.I pulled the divorce agreement I'd picked up earlier that day out of my bag. "Sign it.""Vivienne, I really do love you. I can't lose you." He looked up at me, his eyes pleading. "Just tell me where this whole secret child thing even came from. Let me explain. Someone has to be setting me up. You can't condemn me over one report."I looked at him and almost laughed. He wanted me to ignore an objective report from a certified lab and take his word for it instead? Even now, at this point, he was still performing.I refused to let him say any more and held out the agreement. "If you really love me, then sign it. Walk away with nothing."His expression changed instantly. "You want me to walk away with nothing?"He shoved the agreement back in

Three days later, at the law firm, Matthew sat across from me in a crisp suit, every hair slicked perfectly into place. He'd put his polished mask back on. The dark circles under his eyes were the only giveaway that he hadn't been sleeping well.My lawyer was present. I pushed the divorce agreement across the table."Sign it."He didn't even glance at the document."Vivienne, let's talk about this." He looked up and forced a smile. "We don't need to get divorced. I have a solution."He stood up and opened the door. Jenny walked in carrying a child.It was a boy, about a year old, with round cheeks and eyes that looked exactly like Matthew's.Jenny brought the child right up to me, beaming from ear to ear. "Vivienne, look at him. Isn't he adorable? He's so well-behaved and so smart. His grandfather and I have been raising him since he was born. You wouldn't have to lift a finger!"Matthew leaned in too, gazing at me with soft, tender eyes. "Honey, if you're willing, you could be