Chapter 2
We’ve never met before, but she seems to know me quite well. It seems that my coming to New York is indeed relat-
ed to her.
Thinking about this period, the whole department has been working overtime until they have dark circles under their eyes, and the friend who’s waiting for the project’s success to get promoted.
I didn’t say anything else, forcing a smile and nodding.
“Hope you both enjoy your evening.”
Benjamin opened his mouth as if to speak to me, but his hand was held by the child and Sophia.
He immediately turned away with a smile, scooping up the child and following Sophia.
Back at the hotel, I stared blankly at my empty phone screen.
Why couldn’t Benjamin even give me an explanation?
I kept dialing his number until he hung up repeatedly, clearly annoyed, and finally blocked me.
I sat there blankly until midnight, when Benjamin’s text finally came through:
[Olivia, you know how much I love you. The child and Sophia were accidents. Step back from this project first-I’ll explain everything when I’m back.]
[Be good. Don’t make a scene.]
Don’t make a scene?
What counts as making a scene?
Sophia wiped away tears, numbly tapping redial.
Only a blocked tone answered.
For Benjamin, I who always loved children agreed to be DINK. Yet he had kids with someone else-couldn’t even give me a reason.
If the first child was an accident, what about the second one?
Ten years together, and “stop making a scene” is all he offers? What am I to him?
Calmer now, clinging to hope, I texted: [When did you and her start?】
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Chapter 2
Benjamin replied: [The die is cast. My fault. I’ll compensate you-bought that island you liked last month.]
Sophia knows nothing about this.】
His reply doused the last flicker of anger in my heart like a bucket of cold water.
If moments ago I was still bewildered and furious, now my heart felt as if thrown into an ice cellar.
All emotions vanished instantly.
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Indeed, I’d sensed it long ago in the subtle details of our life together-we were no longer the inseparable couple clinging to each other during our passionate early days.
At first, he traveled abroad every other month, then spent most of the year away later on, only returning for holidays. I should have realized it sooner.
I mistook it for his intense career drive, never complained, and even encouraged him to pursue his ambitions.
Lack of companionship was forgivable, but betrayal was inexcusable.
He stopped replying to my messages, and I lost the will to press further.
Early next morning, my mother-in-law called.
“Olivia, I heard you made a scene in front of Sophia! Can’t you behave?”
Her scolding froze me-she’d always been gentle, never using that tone before.
I bit my lower lip, staring down at the floor. “I didn’t, Mom.”
“I didn’t.”
“You call me Mom? Then remember Sophia is the child’s mother! Listen to me-return home now. Don’t let her dis- cover your relationship with Benjamin.”
Her voice softened midway: “She’s emotionally fragile with the child. Since you don’t have children, be sensible and don’t trigger her.”
My grip almost failed me-realizing she showed even more tenderness toward Sophia than toward me.
He even lashed out at me for Sophia’s sake.
“But I’m Benjamin’s wife, Mom.”
Summoning courage again, I sniffled and cautiously tested my mother-in-law’s reaction.
She exploded instantly: “You can’t even bear a child! What kind of proper wife are you?! Benjamin hasn’t divorced you only out of respect for your history. Don’t push your luck.”
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family business.
Later, when Benjamin knelt before her for three days straight declaring he didn’t want children, I spent two days me- diating peace. She even praised me for being understanding and saving her trouble.
Throughout our marriage, I managed the household for years, obeying Benjamin and my mother-in-law without ques- tion, growing ever more dutiful and respectful.
Just because I didn’t have a child, I was seen as pushing my luck.
And the mother-in-law I thought treated me better than my own parents actually knew long ago that Benjamin had a child outside and helped him keep me in the dark.
I was just an outsider.
Holding back my tears, I said my final words, “Fine, let’s divorce.”
Isn’t it just to make room for Sophia? Fine.
