Chapter 2My Jerk Husband Who Begged for Forgiveness, Yet Held Another in His Arms

After seven years of marriage to Hector, I had never interfered in his affairs, no matter how many he had outside. But recently, he had been going too far. His relationship with Yael had even reached his mother's ears, and she warned me not to let him disgrace the family name.

Moreover, lately, I'd been jolted awake by nightmares, each time feeling as if I'd lived through half a lifetime, my heart tormented. So, I decided to gently warn him that it was time to rein in his behavior. But with this unbearable stomachache, I had no choice but to put it on hold.

I drove to the hospital as fast as I could, barely holding it together. The doctor gave me a bunch of test orders. A few hours later, the doctor asked me, "What's your name?"

"Charleen Smith." At that moment, I was in so much pain that I was drenched in sweat and curled up on the hospital bed.

"How long has it been since you last had a bowel movement?"

"Uh... about a week."

"The results just came back. Your constipation is caused by intestinal obstruction. You'll need an enema shortly. Please get ready for it." As soon as the doctor finished speaking, I was surrounded by nurses.

By the time I got home after the enema, it was already the afternoon of the next day. Hector still hadn't come back. I guessed that with his beautiful secretary by his side, he had completely forgotten about me, someone no longer in the prime of youth.

In the fifth year of our marriage, Hector's hotel business expanded rapidly. With that came his increasing all-night absences. Later, I learned that he had been constantly changing secretaries. But ever since Yael started working as his secretary two years ago, Hector had not hired another one.

My friend kindly warned me to keep an eye on the women around Hector, so I wouldn't end up being taken for a ride without even realizing it. I just smiled. They had no idea that I had never had any access to Hector's money.

Once again, when I arrived at Hector's office building, the receptionist asked if I had an appointment. I guess I was probably the only wife who needed an appointment just to see her own husband.

I called Hector and told him I couldn't get in. Before long, Yael came to pick me up. "Mrs. Smith, Mr. Smith is busy at the moment. Could you please wait for a moment in the lounge?"

The young receptionist looked surprised and muttered nervously, "Who knew Mr. Smith had a wife? I always thought Yael was Mrs. Smith. So thin and haggard—I can't figure out what he sees in her."

Yael gave the girl a stern look, then turned to bring me a cup of coffee. "Mrs. Smith, please wait a moment. Mr. Smith will be here as soon as he's done."

Hector wrapped up his meeting early and walked over to me. His brows furrowed as he asked, "Couldn't this wait until I get home?"

"I've been waiting for you for over a week, but you never went home. I want a divorce."

After hearing what I said, Hector finally looked up from his pile of documents in disbelief. "Don't make a scene here. I'll find time this weekend to go home and spend some time with you, okay? Your birthday is coming up in a few days. I'll transfer 300 thousand dollars into your account. If that's not enough, just let me know."

I forced a smile. In the seven years of our marriage, his celebration of my birthday had become increasingly perfunctory. His business kept growing, but the amount of money he transferred into my account kept shrinking.

I was just about to get up and fling the bank card in his face when I didn't notice Yael had come up behind me. I accidentally knocked over the freshly brewed espresso she was holding, and the coffee splashed all over her crisp white suit, staining it.

Hector stood up and pushed me aside, his eyes filled with obvious concern. He took Yael's hand and anxiously asked if she had been burned anywhere.

This was the first time he so openly cared for another woman right in front of me. I slowly clenched my fists and gave a soft, bitter smile.

Hector scolded me, "Apologize to Yael right now." I picked up my bag, didn't spare him another glance, and walked away.

As soon as I got downstairs, my phone rang. "Are you Charleen?"