Lahat ng Kabanata ng I Got Caught Cheating, but She's the Remorseful One: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 9

My thoughts snapped back to the present. Without any emotion on my face, I said flatly, "Your mother and I are not getting a divorce."The moment those words left my mouth, my daughter, Monica Bennett's face flushed with anger. "Dad! What are you talking about? I already talked to Mom about this, and she agreed! Why are you changing your mind now?"There was a sharp edge of blame in her voice.Jason Bennett, my son, chimed in, "You've dedicated your whole life to this family. Now that we're grown and independent, can't you finally live for yourself? We're saying this because we genuinely care about you!"Right. They genuinely cared about me. They cared enough to orchestrate an affair, ensure I left with nothing, and ultimately watch me die. All so they could collect the massive life insurance policies they'd secretly taken out on their mother and me, naming themselves as beneficiaries.I took a deep breath, swallowing the bitterness rising in my throat. "I said no divorce, and t

Linda froze, apparently not expecting me to be so direct."She told me that you and your wife weren't getting along and were planning to divorce. She said you were lonely and wanted to give us a chance to get to know each other."She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, looking slightly embarrassed.Just as I thought. I laughed bitterly to myself but kept my expression neutral. "Did she mention that I'm still married? That my wife is just away on a business trip?"Linda's expression turned strange, but she nodded. "She did mention it. She said that as long as you want to, I could help you get out of this unhappy marriage as quickly as possible."She looked at me with what seemed like genuine sincerity. And I felt insulted.I picked up the steaming cup of coffee in front of me and dumped it onto the floor at her feet. Linda jumped up, staring at me in shock."I don't care what Monica told you, but let me make something very clear. This is my home. I have a legal wife, an

My question cut right through their seemingly airtight logic. The entire courtroom fell silent.That was right. If a man was determined to have an affair, and his children were supporting a divorce, why wouldn't he just get divorced? Why would he choose the most foolish path, the one most likely to destroy his reputation?It didn't make sense.At the plaintiff's table, Claire froze. She was never particularly quick-witted. Her eyes began to dart around, and a flicker of doubt crossed her face, as if my words were getting through to her.She probably couldn't figure out what my motive could possibly be.Seeing his mother about to waver right there in court, Jason panicked. He shot to his feet and blurted, "Your Honor! I know why!"He turned to me, his eyes full of what looked like pain and disappointment."Because my father cares about his reputation! He's afraid that if he divorces my mother and immediately moves on to someone else, the neighbors will gossip."So he's stalling,

The bailiff connected the phone to the courtroom's sound system. Monica's voice, clear and urgent, filled the entire place."Ms. Calcraft, my dad's a bit shy. You'll need to take the initiative! Just hang around our apartment complex more often. Create some chances to run into him. Talk to him more, and show him you care."Here's my mom's business trip schedule. Time it right..."Yes, these next few days. I'll find an opportunity to invite you to the house and give my dad a surprise!"Each recording struck like a sledgehammer, hitting everyone hard.In the recordings, Monica's voice was nothing like the pitiful, victimized daughter she'd played in court. Instead, she sounded calculating and manipulative, patiently coaching Linda on exactly how to pursue me.The mood in the gallery shifted completely."My God! What kind of daughter does this? Setting her own father up with a mistress?""And domestic violence? Look at her mom. She looks furious, not like someone who beats her hus

After the trial ended, I walked slowly out of the courthouse alone."Mr. Bennett." A familiar voice called out to me.I turned to find the female judge standing there. She'd taken off her robes and changed into casual clothes.She walked up beside me, looking at me with sympathy and encouragement. "Don't be too hard on yourself. It's all over now. At least things ended well for you."She paused, speaking gently, "You still have a long life ahead of you. I hope from now on, you can truly live for yourself."I nodded, a warmth spreading through my chest. "Thank you."She smiled, looking past me toward someone in the distance. "Go on. Don't keep her waiting."I followed her gaze. Under a massive plane tree, Linda stood quietly. The fading sunlight stretched her shadow long across the ground.She watched me from afar, her expression carrying the same nervousness and clarity it had held more than 30 years ago, when she was just a little girl.Memories began to surface. I remembered