Chapter 3

Ashley couldn't take it anymore. During dinner, Ethan’s phone kept buzzing.

He looked anxious but kept declining the calls.

"Who is it? Just answer it," I said.

"Just some urgent work stuff. I need to go check on it!"

As he rushed out, I texted my private investigator to follow him. Within twenty minutes, I received photos of them kissing passionately in his car.

I looked at the cold soup on the table and dumped the entire bowl into the trash.

At 10 PM, I called Ethan. He didn't pick up. I called four more times before he finally answered.

"Is everything okay?" his voice was tense.

"I saw you weren't back yet. I made some late-night snacks. Should I bring them over to your office?"

He panicked over the phone. I heard a faint, sharp gasp in the background. I knew it was Ashley.

"What was that noise?" I asked.

"Nothing! We’re almost wrapped up here. I’m heading home now. Don't wait up, go to sleep!"

"Okay."

The moment I hung up, I drove to his office building. It was pitch black.

I took a photo of the dark building and sent it to him on WhatsApp. "Are you off work? I’m downstairs."

Ethan called me immediately. "Vivian, why are you there? I just drove a colleague home. Wait there, I’ll drive back and pick you up!"

"No need. I’m going home."

I hung up and let out a cold laugh. I had tried to give him—and myself—one last chance. But he threw it away.

When he got home, I pretended to be asleep. He crept into bed and tried to hug me. It made my skin crawl.

I rolled over, breaking his embrace. Ethan seemed to realize something. He sighed and eventually fell asleep beside me.

Soon, his steady breathing filled the room, but I couldn't sleep. I opened Twitter and checked Ashley’s spam account.

"When can you stay with me for the whole night? The baby misses you too!"

There was a photo of her hand resting on her flat stomach. My heart stopped.

No one was going to steal my daughter Emma's inheritance.

Under Ashley’s post, some internet sleuths had already started pointing things out.

"Are you a side chick? The dad can't stay the night because he has another family, right?"

"I can't believe I followed this account for so long. You’re a homewrecker. Gross."

"Unfollowed. I hope the wife finds out!"

"Ten years? You’ve been messing with a married man for ten years? The wife must be devastated."

Ashley argued with people in the comments before finally deleting the post. But I had already screenshotted everything.

It seemed the internet still had a moral compass. I was relieved.

Ashley, the deeper your love for Ethan, the harder you’re going to fall when this is exposed.

I couldn't wait.

A few days later, Ashley sent me the venue layout for the anniversary. I looked at it. It was filled with Ashley's personal favorites. She had snuck in so many of her own touches.

Ethan's photos were blown up so large that it looked more like his solo photography exhibition than our wedding anniversary.

I didn't say anything. I just told her she had full control.

Finally, the anniversary arrived. I invited many friends, family members, and Ethan’s business partners.

It was Ashley’s masterpiece. Gardenias and white lilies filled the hall. When I walked in and saw the venue, a cold smirk played on my lips.

But I kept my face neutral.

As the guests entered the hall, I stood backstage in a stunning red dress with flawless makeup. I looked at Ethan in the crowd and smiled.

Ethan met my gaze, his eyes full of tenderness.

I had to hand it to him. His acting was top-tier.

I walked up to the stage and turned on the microphone.

"Thank you all for taking the time to join us today. Welcome to my divorce announcement party."