Chapter 2The Price of a Mistress

Staring at her back, a sourness surged in my nose.

No one knows how long I waited for this day.

Two years? Three years?

I can't remember.

Yes, I knew about Julian's affair long ago.

For the past three years, his most frequent phrase was that the company was doing poorly, asking me and our son to cut expenses.

So for three years, I lived worse than a dog.

But this woman, under his care, went from a monthly salary of $5,000 to an annual salary of $400,000.

Once the heart tastes pleasure, it becomes greedy.

She was no longer satisfied with companionship; she wanted to replace me, to stand by his side legitimately.

Just now, when the sun hit her face, even her peach fuzz glowed gold.

Every gesture was full of ease untouched by hardship.

I'm not surprised Julian loves her.

The woman in the mirror is 36.

My entire youth is hidden in the fine lines of my eyes.

My era has quietly ended.

The next second, the alarm rang.

Leo was about to finish school.

At the apartment entrance, I saw Julian rushing back.

"Sorry, I didn't know she would find you."

I looked up, forcing back tears.

"She is more honest than you. At least she knows I can't wait anymore."

Julian's Adam's apple rolled, and he finally said it.

"You can ask for anything. After all these years, I won't let you suffer too much."

My nose soured again.

So everything that woman said was true.

My departure had long been gossip over their tea and dinner.

"Dad! Mom!"

A childish cheer came from behind.

The school bus stopped, and my son rushed over.

At seven, he didn't know what happened.

He only knew to hug his leg and act spoiled:

"Daddy, I missed you so much!"

My heart was silently wrung again.

For seven years, I gave him a fairy tale world.

He is kind and simple, thinking all parents love each other like I pretended.

How do I tell him this father already built a home outside?

At night, after coaxing Leo to sleep, I walked to the living room.

Julian was on the balcony making a call.

His back was so familiar, yet so distant.

I remember.

Seven years ago in the delivery room, looking at the wrinkled little life, his hands trembled:

"Joanna, I swear, I will protect you both with my life."

I remember.

Postpartum hair loss clogged the drain. He squatted on the floor, picking up the hair strand by strand, eyes red:

"No more babies. Your hair used to be so beautiful."

I remember.

When Leo was two and had a febrile seizure, I was scared out of my wits, only crying on the phone.

He was at a project site 300 miles away. He drove all night, appearing at the hospital in four and a half hours, hugging me tight:

"Don't be afraid. I'm here."

That sentence made me believe for ten years.

How did we get here?

"Joanna."

The man opened the balcony door, bringing in a chill.

"Is Leo asleep?"

I nodded, pulling out the prepared divorce agreement from my bag.

"Let's talk."

"Ten years of marriage, two houses, two cars. I know nothing about the assets in your hands these years, so I give you two options."

"One: You take Leo and the small apartment. All remaining assets go to me."

"Two: I take Leo and both houses. You are responsible for paying off the remaining mortgage."

Julian's brows furrowed.

"You actually... don't want our son? How do you plan to explain this to him?"

"Explain?"

I looked at him incredulously.

"Did you consider how to explain to our son when you were undressing with that woman?"

He closed his eyes, jaw tight.

"I don't want to fight, but neither option is fair to me. Don't forget I earned all the money in this family."

I nodded and pressed play on the recording.

"I'm eight years younger than you, and I'm about to be promoted to VP of Finance. By the time I reach your age, I'm confident I will become Julian's indispensable right hand."

Recording ended. I looked at him.

"Julian, I'm so proud of you. You found a soulmate evenly matched in power. So, what's wrong with compensating me a little more?"

Yes, I was threatening him.