Chapter 1
My husband spends most of each year expanding his business in New York. I secretly applied for a business trip there to surprise him.
My boss handed me a family portrait showing only four tightly clasped hands.
“This is Mr. Carter’s family of four. Prepare gifts properly for this visit.”
I stared at the photo, momentarily dazed by the familiar wristwatch.
But Benjamin Carter had knelt before his parents for three days and nights just to remain childfree as DINKS.
I brushed off my doubts and went on the business trip.
Never did I expect to see my husband at the hotel with two children, his fingers intertwined with another woman’s.
Seeing two faces that mirrored Benjamin’s like carbon copies, I froze where I stood.
Benjamin claimed love should be pure, untainted by children.
Yet he only practiced DINK with me while raising kids elsewhere.
A colleague excitedly pushed me forward: “It’s Mr. Carter’s family! How lucky! Greet them now.”
The woman instantly released Benjamin’s hand and approached us:
“Are you Olivia Parker from the project team? What a surprise meeting you early. I’m Sophia Roberts Mitchell, Mrs. Carter.”
She knew me, declaring herself Benjamin’s wife to my face.
How dare she act so unabashedly as a mistress?!
Recalling how my boss had suddenly allowed my project involvement, I wondered-was this her deliberate setup?
Benjamin’s smile froze when he saw me. He carefully set down the little girl he was holding, took her hand, and after a moment’s hesitation, extended his hand toward me.
“Nice to meet you,” he said, pretending not to know me.
My lower teeth ache as I bite down, staring at his cold, distant face-it feels like a lifetime has passed.
After our college entrance exams, Benjamin confessed to me in front of the entire school. We then attended the same university and married right after graduation.
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Ten years together, his passion gradually faded. I thought love had simply evolved into family bonds.
Turns out he had another wife and children elsewhere-a son already six years old, born the very year we married.
So all this time he’s been traveling between two countries… Is it for me? Or for that happy family in New York?
Seeing I didn’t shake hands, Benjamin frowned with displeasure: “Is this how your company conducts business?”
Sophia immediately grasped his hand, soothing him with a smile:
“Sophia’s just keeping a respectful distance since you’re a married man. Very professional-I quite admire that in a
woman.”
Her words sounded like she was defending me, yet I found myself biting the inside of my check to stifle a bitter laugh.
Benjamin pretended not to know me, while Sophia kept asserting her claim over him.
What did that make me?
My colleague tensed, hastily pushing down on my back to bow:
“Mr. and Mrs. Carter, please forgive her. She’s just off a flight and not herself. Our deepest apologies.”
“Distance is wise. Everyone knows you’re the epitome of marital bliss-a true fairy-tale couple in our circle.”
I wanted to confront Benjamin, but the fiery defiance evaporated the moment my colleague forced me into that bow.
Yeah, Benjamin is the CEO who needs to be flattered, while I’m just a small employee who has to beg the boss for a chance to join a multinational project.
Sorry, we came specifically to cooperate with you, absolutely no intention to offend.
After apologizing proactively, I bowed again, looking at Benjamin and Sophia’s interlocked fingers, my eyes stung.
Sophia affectionately held Benjamin’s arm:
It’s okay, I also heard about your strong professional skills and that’s why I put you in charge, but my husband and I are going home now, let’s talk about the project another day?
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