Chapter 1Daughter Has a High Fever While Husband Is Secretly Meeting His Lover

My daughter Emily was running a high fever in the middle of the night, but my husband Jack had taken the car and left.

The next day, I saw a post from Lily, his female business partner, on social media.

"Finally fulfilling my dream of motherhood," she wrote.

The picture showed stockings on the passenger seat, and the car's interior was identical to ours.

Furious, I confronted Jack for an explanation.

He brushed it off casually: "I'm just maintaining client relationships. It's all for you and Emily's benefit."

"Besides, what use is a daughter? Lily's son will be the one to carry on the Miller family name!"

To add insult to injury, Lily leaned into his arms and said, "Don't mind me, sweetie. I just love kids and needed someone to help me have one."

I kept my face expressionless as I turned away, already planning my next move.

0When four-year-old Emily's fever suddenly spiked to 104°F in the middle of the night, I frantically woke Jack up.

He glanced at his phone, then left without a backward look.

"There's an issue with a business partner. You'll have to handle this yourself," he said.

I watched in disbelief as he slammed the door shut. With no other choice, I carried Emily downstairs myself.

To my shock, Jack had taken the car and driven away without a word.

In the dead of night, the streets were deserted.

I had to walk eight miles to get Emily to the hospital.

As the nurse hooked up the IV, she scolded me, "A little longer and she could have suffered brain damage. Where's her father?"

I forced a smile. "He's busy with work."

The nurse nodded approvingly. "What a good husband."

Is he really? I wondered. In our seven years of marriage, I had helped him grow his small fruit stand into a thriving store.

As our lives improved, I saw less and less of him.

Having finally caught my breath and settled Emily to sleep, it was already dawn.

I picked up my phone, intending to ask Jack where he was, but instead saw a social media post from Lily from twenty minutes ago.

"Finally fulfilling my dream of motherhood," it read.

The picture showed stockings on a car's passenger seat, and the interior was identical to ours.

I felt like I'd been struck by lightning. Though I had a bold guess, I didn't dare to investigate further.

Jack and I had been married for seven years, weathering hardships together.

Even as our situation improved, he seemed to be a good husband and father to Emily and me.

Lily was a purchasing manager at his company, and had been buying fruit in bulk from our store for company events for years.

I'd never heard of them being close. Looking at my sleeping daughter, I tried to push the thoughts away.

But the next day, reality hit me like a ton of bricks.

In the hospital lobby, I saw two familiar figures.

Jack was carefully supporting a woman, laughing and talking.

It was Lily.

Her belly was slightly swollen, and Jack's face showed a tenderness I'd never seen before.

I remembered being eight months pregnant and still working in the store.

Jack would come by after unloading deliveries and affectionately pat my belly.

"You're doing great, honey. I promise I'll take good care of you both in the future!" he'd say.

Now here he was, arm-in-arm with another woman at the hospital!

I was grateful Emily was still upstairs getting her IV.

Before I could approach them, Lily spotted me.

Leaning into Jack's embrace, she sauntered over. "Well, if it isn't Chloe! What brings you to the hospital?"

Seeing my silence, Jack quickly stepped closer. "Honey, I'm just accompanying Lily for a prenatal check-up. Don't be upset."

I stared at her belly, my throat dry. "Whose is it?"

He looked guilty but tried to appear calm. "Mine... but you know my parents have always wanted a grandson to carry on the family name..."

Lily giggled, stroking her belly. "Don't take it personally, sweetie. I just love kids and needed someone to help me have one!"

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