Years of Marriage, One Ultimate Betrayal

A flash of reluctance crossed Alain's face. He glanced at me, keeping his hands at his sides.Jonathan pouted, his eyes glistening with tears. "Dad, don't you love me anymore?"Mabel met my gaze and shivered. Her hand quickly clamped over Jonathan's mouth. "I'm sorry, but the kindergarten requires a family photo and a song. I didn't want to intrude, but Alain didn't check his phone. The homework is due tomorrow, so..."Mabel lowered her eyes, guilt etched on her face. I maintained a stern expression, struggling to contain my anger.They had been together all day, and now she remembered the homework.She continued, "Could you do me a favor? I don't want Jonathan to be seen as a fatherless child."My anger exploded. "Get lost! All of you!"Jonathan had a father who helped with homework and attended every milestone.In contrast, Jeff had a father who missed every parent-teacher meeting, never touched his homework, and was never there when he was sick. He was more like a fatherless

With feigned anxiety, Mabel pulled Jonathan from Alain's arms and apologized to me profusely, "I'm truly sorry. Jonathan is too little to understand. Please don't hold it against him. I never wanted to ruin your family. Just please let him see his dad once in a while."I watched with cold detachment. When I didn't budge, she amped up her act. "Please don't divorce Alain. You are his whole world; he cannot live without you. Jonathan and I don't matter."She clutched Jonathan protectively, but I remained silent. In a flash, she grabbed him and slapped his bottom hard. "If you're not satisfied, I'll help you get even!"Jonathan wailed, "Mom, don't hit me! I'm sorry. I shouldn't have clung to Dad."Mabel choked back her tears, but her slap grew harder. "This is what happens when you misbehave!"Alain snatched him away. "What are you doing? Don't hit the child!"Mabel glared. "Will you do it again?"Jonathan ran back to her and clutched her hand. "Mom, I won't do it again.""Good. N

A metal object hit the floor with a resounding crash. Alain stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his face dark and brooding."Release the news about her affair," he commanded. "I'd like to see whether she values the Perez family's reputation or that pretty boy."His assistant nodded, fear written across his face.Mabel gently rubbed Jonathan's face, urging him to go with the assistant. Once they were gone, she wrapped her arms around Alain from behind. "Don't get so worked up. Marie is just jealous and throwing a tantrum. Just don't be so nice to me when she is around."Alain turned around, covering her mouth to stop her following words. "What's wrong with me treating you well? You're kind and gentle. I want to give you the best. Do I need her permission to care for whoever I like? Who does she think she is?"A happy smile spread across Mabel's face as she leaned against his chest, her hand soothingly stroking him. "I know you're a good man. You paid for my education and gave me

"Are these enough to make rose petal jam?" Erik held out some freshly plucked petals in his palm.I examined them happily, my fingertips accidentally brushing his skin. His face flushed a deep red."Marie!" Alain charged in, grabbed Erik by the collar, and punched him hard. "How dare you covet my wife?""Alain, stop!" I reached out to separate them, but they were already tangled in a fierce scuffle.Moments later, Erik relied on his years of training to subdue his opponent. Alain kept cursing even in defeat. "You'll pay for seducing my wife!""Uncle Erik, are you alright?" I asked worriedly.Alain's curses stopped, and his eyes widened. It was normal that he didn't recognize Erik. The latter rarely appeared in public, not even at my wedding.Erik stood up and dusted off his clothes. "I'm fine."His gaze fell on Alain's bruised and swollen face. In the next moment, his body went limp, and he collapsed into my arms. "My head is spinning."I quickly supported him. "I'll call a do