All Chapters of The One Thing I Never Expected: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

15 Chapters

Chapter 1 The Birthday He Chose Another Life

I was born with a natural scent, and had a birthmark shaped like a camelia on my shoulder.My husband, Lawrence Ashford, was obsessed with it. He would rain kisses on it every single day.We had fallen into each other's embrace over and over during our 10 years of marriage. We've had fun in the kitchen, on the couch, in the car, and even in the public restroom.He never forgot a single anniversary. In fact, he had even given up the chance to study abroad just to stay with me.Yet, he stood before me neatly dressed on his birthday and said calmly, "I won't be spending my birthday at home this year."Before I could speak, he took a family photo out of his pocket.The woman in it looked gentle and composed. The little boy was sweet and well-behaved.Lawrence held the picture with a gentle smile on his face. It was a picture of domestic happiness. "This is my other family," he said evenly. "I want to spend my birthday with them this year."I shook at his confession. I looked at him

Chapter 2 Six Years Too Late

I felt dazed upon hearing his sincere words.The pain I felt was unbearable. Yet, my mind had never been clearer.I stared straight into his eyes and asked, "When did it start?"His gaze flickered. "Six years ago."Something solid deep inside me collapsed.We had been married for 10 years, but he had spent six of them cheating on me. Yet, I hadn't noticed a thing.Grief swallowed me whole. Details I had once brushed aside now came crashing back all at once.Lawrence often worked late into the night, coming home exhausted. Even so, he never forgot to bring me my favorite late-night snacks.I would sit beside him, listening to him talk about his day. I would listen to him chatter about the tiniest details and chuckle when he told me about the funny moments he'd run into.Sometimes, I would find him texting absentmindedly when we were at a gathering with friends. I always assumed it was urgent work and even helped block drinks for him.Now that the truth was out, I finally saw h

Chapter 3 The Birthday He Didn't Wait For

Lawrence let out a sigh.Then, he took a deep breath, curled his lips into a smile, and asked casually, "Sylvia, where's my birthday present?"He asked me that every year.Even though I always gave it to him right on time, he could never wait even a minute longer.This year, I had planned to ask him whether he wanted to adopt a child—one that would belong to both of us.For so many years, his firm refusal to have children had made me assume he had fertility issues. To protect his pride, I had never brought it up.It turned out that he wasn't incapable of having a child. He just didn't want one with me.When I didn't answer, he didn't press. Instead, his eyes stayed glued to his phone.On the screen was a full-size photo of that woman named Willow.He accidentally tapped a voice message, and her bright, energetic voice spilled out of the speaker."Honey, I made a whole table of your favorite dishes. When are you coming over? Let me whisper a little secret to you. After dinner,

Chapter 4 A Family Portrait

The living room was a disaster everywhere I looked. This place that I had once personally turned into a home now looked completely unfamiliar.My phone buzzed. It was a friend request from Willow.The moment I accepted, she promptly sent me a family photo.Lawrence was wearing a birthday hat. Willow, in a deep V-neck camisole, leaned into his chest.Beside her stood a middle-aged couple I didn't recognize, their smiling faces creased with joy.And on Lawrence's other side were my parents-in-law.The two people who once treated me like their own daughter were beaming. A little boy named Miles sat on their laps, grinning."What's the point of holding onto the title of Mrs. Ashford? Lawrence's heart is completely with me. I heard Old Mr. Ashford and Old Mrs. Ashford didn't like you at first and only accepted you later. But guess what? "They gave me the family heirloom meant for their daughter-in-law as a welcome gift the second they met me."Willow wasn't wrong.My parents-in-l

Chapter 5 The Breaking Point

Willow was the first to speak. "Sylvia, I'm sorry to intrude like this. I got you a small gift."Her voice was gentle and humble, but the look in her eyes was full of triumph.I ignored her and let her stand there holding the bag, but the child beside her snapped. He lowered his head and charged straight at my stomach. "You bad woman! How dare you bully my mom! Get out!"It was only when he was about to slam into my legs that Lawrence's expression finally changed. He grabbed the boy, his expression dark."Who taught you to talk to her like that?"He looked every bit the strict, responsible father. It was just a shame that he wasn't behaving that way toward our child.Miles was frightened by his tone and burst into tears, throwing himself into Matilda's arms.Matilda, who had always been obsessed with cleanliness, let him smear snot all over her custom-made dress without a word.She patted his back softly, soothing him. Her eyes were filled with affection, not a trace of surpr

Chapter 6 A Family That Was Never Mine

Matilda jumped to her feet at once, scooping Miles into her arms. Her face stiffened with embarrassment.Still, she forced herself to compose her expression and tried to soothe me. "Sylvia, what's gotten into you all of a sudden? There's an auction this afternoon. I'll take you and Willow along."Only then did she seem to realize she had lumped me together with the mistress. She gave an awkward laugh."If you see anything you like, just buy it. Spend this brat's money as much as you want. He deserves it for making you angry. Willow's still young and hasn't seen much of the world, so she might as well come too. You've always been the sensible one. You understand."I didn't answer. I just looked at her.After a long pause, I spoke softly. "If you had a daughter, would you be okay with her husband openly bringing his mistress home?""Who would dare?""Of course not!"Lawrence's parents blurted at the same time. I tugged my lips into a mocking smile as they sat back down, clearly u

Chapter 7 What I Chose to Leave Behind

The cab screeched to an abrupt stop, causing me to slam into the seat in front of me.Lawrence stood in the road with his arms spread wide, ignoring the driver's angry curses as he blocked the car."Sylvia, I need to talk to you."I apologized to the driver and stared hard at Lawrence. After taking a deep breath, I got out of the car anyway.He stood three steps away from me, yet he felt impossibly distant.After a long silence, he seemed to steel himself. "I'm sorry. I didn't keep the promises I made to you. I told you before that if I ever did something wrong, I'd give you everything I own to make it right.""Okay."My flat response made him pause before he continued, "The child needs me. I can't be an irresponsible father."Bitterness spread through my chest. Ten years of marriage, and he was telling me he had to take responsibility for someone else."Is there anything else you want as compensation?" he asked. As if afraid I would refuse, he added, "As long as it's somethin

Chapter 8 The Sea That Set Me Free

I stood on this sun-scorched southern land. The wind blew against my face, carrying the sharp, salty scent of the ocean.Passersby cast curious looks at me. My trench coat and long pants were clearly out of place in the heat.Lawrence had always been busy. His work never seemed to end.When he first started his business, he would still take me out now and then.However, he began to brush me off after the company went public, citing the same excuse that he was too busy.I saw how exhausted he was growing and felt sorry for him. So, I never brought it up again.Lawrence's people worked fast. Thus, the company transfer papers and the divorce agreement were placed in my hands just before I boarded the plane.Ashford Group was one of Oakhaven's most established firms. Lawrence, who had always been bold and ambitious, had carved out his own empire from nothing.Now, he was giving it all to me.I stared at the result of ten years of his relentless struggle, and I didn't hesitate to s

Chapter 9 Breaking Distance

I was suffering from a leg cramp, so Evan Blackwood, the college guy who was with me, blushed as he gently massaged my leg to ease the pain.A shadow shot past before anyone could react, slamming into him and sending him sprawling onto the ground."Who gave you permission to touch her?"Lawrence's face was calm, but his voice was low and sharp. He was radiating an unmistakable aura of danger.I stepped in front of Evan, shielding him with my body.Lawrence looked surprised and then hurt when he saw my reaction. "Sylvia…" His voice trembled with a hint of grievance.His family had endless wealth, and he was never without bodyguards. Yet, I had always stood in front of him when he was in danger, shielding him without a second thought.Still, that was in the past."Sylvia, don't look at me like that, okay? I… I just saw him too close to you. I got jealous."If it were the old days, his words would have felt like honey dripping over my heart.Now, I just felt repulsed."Lawrence

Chapter 10 Too Late

Night had fallen, but there would be no peace for me. Willow had gotten hold of my new number. Soon, my phone started ringing.The ringing got on my nerves. So, I answered without thinking."Sylvia, you and Lawrence are already divorced. Why are you still haunting him like this?"I had no idea what she was talking about. "Stop calling me. I have nothing to do with Lawrence anymore."Before I could finish, the sound of something shattering outside the window caught my attention. I walked over and looked down.Lawrence froze when he saw me. He crouched in a panic and began picking up the broken pieces of porcelain.The sharp edges sliced into his hand. I could see blood oozing out from his wounds, but he seemed numb to the pain. It was as if he couldn't feel a thing."Sylvia, don't move," he said quickly. "I'll clean it up. Don't let it cut you."When I stepped closer, the heavy smell of alcohol hit me.Lawrence's gaze traveled up from my shoes. When he realized I was there, his

1 2

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP