Chapter 2Daughter Has a High Fever While Husband Is Secretly Meeting His Lover

Heartbroken and disillusioned, I went back upstairs and took Emily home alone.

I thought Jack might follow to explain further.

But to my surprise, he didn't come home until that evening.

"Emily, look what Daddy bought for you!" he called out.

He returned with a load of snacks and toys, but only gave Emily two bags of chips.

My daughter looked longingly at the toys in his hands, but was too well-behaved to ask for more.

I felt angry and ridiculous. Was his own daughter only worthy of leftovers?

If these were bought for someone else, why pretend to be a caring father?

"Honey, I bought something for you too. Look at this dress, do you like it?" he said.

I coldly watched him pull out the garment.

It was a bright red dress.

But the size was wrong, and the color wasn't my style.

Since marrying Jack, I'd never bought new clothes to save money.

I only wore old black and gray clothes, with my one red dress being my wedding gown.

But even that was far inferior in quality to this one.

Besides, after having a child, my figure had changed. This didn't seem like a size I could wear.

I took out my phone and smirked.

On it was CCTV footage from the store.

It showed him passionately kissing Lily, who was wearing an identical red dress.

Was this a carefully chosen gift, or just something Lily didn't want passed on to me?

"If you don't want to stay married, just get a divorce. No need to be disgusting," I said.

He flew into a rage, throwing the dress on the floor.

"I try to be nice and this is what I get? Don't push your luck! I'm just maintaining client relationships, all for you and Emily's sake!"

"Besides, you're eating my food and spending my money. You're past your prime and still acting like this!"

With that, he stormed out, slamming the door.

I knew without asking that he was going to see Lily again.

Emily looked up at me and asked, "Mommy, were you fighting?"

Looking at her face, I felt overwhelmed with grief.

To marry Jack, I had cut ties with my parents and hadn't seen them in years.

I had worked tirelessly to grow the business from nothing, handing over all the profits to him.

Now I was being treated like a parasite.

Fighting back tears, I knelt down and stroked Emily's face.

"If Mommy and Daddy separated, who would you want to live with?"

"I want to stay with you, Mommy!"

Feeling a small comfort, I knew I had to fight for Emily's sake.

Late that night, after finishing a call with my lawyer, I suddenly felt a splitting headache.

Using my last bit of strength, I sent Jack a message.

[Remember to go to the store tomorrow. I'm not feeling well.]

Then I passed out.

The next morning, Emily woke me up.

I realized Jack hadn't responded all night.

Instead, Lily had sent a picture of his sleeping back.

My heart ached. The seven-year itch was real after all.

To make money, I forced myself to go to the store.

But halfway through unloading a delivery, I felt dizzy.

When I opened my eyes again, I was in a sterile hospital room.

The nurse told me Emily had called her father.

I felt a glimmer of hope. At least he wasn't completely heartless.

"You're overworked and stressed out," the nurse said.

"Whatever's going on, talk it out. Don't make yourself sick."

I looked around but didn't see Emily. I quickly asked the nurse about her.

"Her father and grandmother took her home. Oh, you still have one more IV bag..."

I pulled out the IV and hurriedly left.

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