Two days later, I had just come back from the hospital, tired. I had spent the whole day seeing patients. It was as if the whole of Northwale City had chosen the hospital where I worked for their consultations today. My throat was sore, and I was having a serious headache.

I barely managed to escape, and today was also my cousin's wedding. Luckily for me, the wedding would be held at night. I arrived home by 6 p.m. and had a quick bath. I changed and applied a little makeup. I was too exhausted for any glam.

As I came downstairs, everywhere was quiet. I sensed something was off. Since the arrival of Lillian and her daughter, the house has never been this eerily quiet. It's unlike them, but that's not my concern anymore.

I tripped over something and almost fell down. I turned back to see Lillian smiling, her leg outstretched.

"What the hell was that for?" I asked angrily.

"Oops, I didn't see you there."

I wanted to say something, but held myself back. "She's not worth it," I mumbled to myself as I straightened my clothes and was about to walk out of the house, when she ran to the door looking at me challengingly.

"What now, Lillian?"

"Do you know why Richard married you?"

"Nope, but you can tell me," I answered by crossing my arms.

"Because I chose you. You are just my replacement, and now it's time for you to give Richard back to me."

Her words cut deep into my heart. I had thought that Richard and I were in love back then, not knowing he was just marrying me to hide his affair with his sister-in-law.

"Why are you quiet? Say something," Lillian said, grabbing my arms.

I snatched my arms away from her. "Lillian, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

"You can play dumb all you want, but tell me, Fiona, who do you think Richard will choose? Me or you?"

I smiled innocently. "Don't tell me you are having a secret affair with my husband, your own brother-in-law? Oh no, was that the reason that led your husband to his early death?" I said to her, still smiling.

Lillian opened her mouth to say something, but the words refused to come out. "And about who or what Richard wants, I don't care anymore. So stay within your limits," I said, brushing past her as I walked out of the house.

Lillian's gaze followed me to the black car parked in the driveway. If looks could kill, she would have killed me already.

I entered the car and turned to Richard, who was looking handsome as always. He was dressed in a black designer suit. "Hope I didn't keep you waiting?"

"No, honey. You look beautiful," he said, reaching to touch me, but I pulled my hands away before he could reach me.

"Are you angry with me?" he asked as he drove off.

"No, I'm just tired from work."

"You work too hard, honey. I don't know why you insisted on working. You know I have the money to take care of you for the rest of our lives," Richard said sweetly.

I would have believed him if I was still the stupid and obedient Fiona who was kept in the dark. Now I know. "Can you drive faster?" I asked him. I was already irritated sitting in the same car with him.

"Honey, you know you can talk to me if you are worried about something?"

"I'm fine, just thinking of how to celebrate your birthday next weekend," I lied.

"Oh that, you don't have to stress yourself about that. Lillian will take care of the preparations since she's already living with us."

"Okay," I answered nonchalantly, looking out of the window.

He wanted to say something when his phone rang.

"Mr. Gates, your brother's wife is on a blind date." The voice of the person on the other end of the phone was calm but loud enough for me to hear.

Richard frowned. He was already fuming, but he tried to control himself.

"Send me the location right now," he said in an icy tone.

After hanging up, he turned to me with a look of worry on his face. "Honey, something important came up. I won't be able to attend your cousin's wedding."

"Something important?" I smiled. I did not want to bother asking when I already knew everything.

"Okay, I understand," I said calmly. "You can just stop me at the entrance."

The car finally slowed to a stop. Richard held my hand. "Can I at least get a kiss?"

I pulled my hand away as I slipped out of the car. "You are blocking the entrance. There are other cars behind you."

Richard looked stunned for a moment, like he was trying to process my sudden mood swing, but I remained calm with a smile plastered across my face.

"Alright, make sure you have a lovely time at the wedding, and send my blessings to the new couple," he said before driving off.

The wedding hall was filled to the brim. Everything was perfect. I watched as the bride and groom exchanged their vows. My mind flashed back to my own wedding with Richard. That day was the happiest day of my life, despite my parents' disapproval. It was just Richard's family and my cousin and a handful of my friends from the hospital.

After the wedding, my cousin offered to drop me home, but I refused. "Tonight is your first wedding night. You are supposed to be with your bride," I said, hugging him.

I took a taxi home, my shivering from the cold. The atmosphere at home felt unusually pleasant. It was as though I don't belong here anymore.

"Fiona, you are back?" Lillian greeted me with a big smile on her face, which was very unusual because she hardly smiled unless she was up to something.

I was sure that Richard had made it up to her. "This is my house, Lillian. Was I supposed to never return?"

She clearly wasn't done. She walked over to me, playing with a blue diamond necklace on her neck and a matching bracelet on her wrist.

There was the same diamond set Richard had promised to buy for me on our fifth anniversary. Now I realized why he never talked about it anymore. He had already given them to his beloved mistress.

"Richard said you have a good eye for jewelry. Take a good look. This set cost over two million dollars. Richard bought them for me. He said the blue diamonds are perfect for my eye color. Do you think they are worth it?"

"Yes, they match your eyes perfectly," I said, smiling. "And you forgot something: Richard and I are still legally married, so half of that two million dollars belongs to me." I said smugly. "It's from our joint account, and he took out the money without my permission."

"What do you mean the money came from your joint account? You are just a common doctor. The money belongs to Richard."

I nodded and brought out my phone. "Lillian, you have till midnight to wire back one million dollars to my account, or else I will have to report this theft to the Gates Matriarch and also inform the police."

"Check your phone. I have forwarded my account details to you, so do the needful before midnight. And also think carefully before accepting another gift from my husband."

Lillian's phone buzzed in her hand. Her face darkened as she read the content of the message. "You low-life bitch," she yelled at me angrily.

"Ah ah, you don't want me to add assault, do you?" I asked, waving a finger at her. I know there was no way Lillian would ever come up with a million dollars on her own, but I don't care. She has to pay back the money, or else she will face the consequences.

I went upstairs to my room, leaving the visibly angry Lillian still standing at the door. After a quick shower and napping for a few minutes, I went to my jewelry box and started picking out the most expensive jewelry sets. Alice had already found a buyer for me. Once I sell them off, I wouldn't have to worry about money for a while after my divorce.

My eyes fell on my wedding gown. Looking at it now only brings back painful memories. I packed the gown in a bag and called the maid to sell it off or throw it away.

As the maid was dragging the box downstairs, I followed closely behind her, scrolling through my phone. Richard walked in, and his eyes fell on the bag.

"Are you traveling somewhere?" Richard asked, confused.

"No, honey, I'm disposing of the wedding gown."

"What? Why are you disposing of the wedding gown?"

"Honey, I mistakenly poured wine on it, and there's a huge tear on it too. So keeping it is of no use to me now. It's useless."

Richard suddenly frowned. "Why are you throwing it away? Didn't you say you will keep it for our daughter when we eventually have one?"

I looked at him. I don't know if I should laugh at his deceit or just keep quiet. He still doesn't know that I found out about his fake impotency. For five years, I had treasured the wedding gown. I had created a spot in my closet just for the stupid gown, hoping to preserve it for my future daughter. I had it professionally cleaned every year. I had thought it was worth keeping.

But now it was of no use to me anymore, knowing that it would be the first thing Lillian and her daughter would trash once I leave the house after our divorce. I decided to trash it before they get the chance.

I gave Richard a faint smile. "Honey, just let it be. It's ruined. It's useless now. Our future daughter can always make her own gown."

"I know, but you just can't toss it out like that," Richard argued while studying my face. He knew how much I loved that gown. "You know what? I will have a fashion designer take a look at it and maybe repair it for you."

I shook my head. "Don't bother, honey. Some things are better left the way they are. Not everything needs fixing."

I wasn't just referring to the dress, but also our broken marriage. I did not give him the chance to say another word as I turned and started walking back inside my room.

"Are you still angry with me for not attending your cousin's wedding? But I told you something urgent came up in the office."

"I'm not angry, just tired," I said without looking back. Just as I was about to take another step, I tripped and almost fell from the staircase, but Richard held me. Without another word, he lifted me into his arms despite my protest. He carried me to our room and sat me on the bed.

"I'm sorry, honey. I shouldn't have left you alone. I know how important it was that I attended your cousin's wedding with you," Richard apologized.

My chest tightened as I listened to his lies and excuses. I was no fool. Richard had never loved me enough to put my needs before Lillian's. For a moment, memories of my younger self, eager to marry Richard, flashed through my mind. Had I really sacrificed my relationship with my family just for him?

"Honey, you are not saying anything," Richard said, trying to touch me, but I didn't give him the chance. I quickly stood up from the bed and pretended I was going to use the toilet.

"It's okay, honey. You don't need to apologize. I'm used to it," I said before shutting the door of the toilet. I had always known that he barely loved me. Only recently did I realize that he never loved me at all.

After staying inside the toilet for a few minutes, I thought he would have left when I came back, but to my surprise, he was still sitting on the bed.

I avoided the bed and sat on my nightstand, brushing my already perfect hair.

"I want to make it up to you. Is there anything you want me to get for you?" Richard asked.

I sighed. "Anything at all?" I asked in a steady voice as I turned to look at him.

"Yes, anything at all. Just mention it," he replied confidently.

"Allow the maids to dispose of the wedding gown."

"That's it? I mean, that's all you want?"

I nodded. "That's all I want for now."

"Alright, if that's what you want, I will personally dispose of the wedding gown myself, if that will make you happy."

For a brief moment, as I met his sincere gaze for the first time, guilt flickered inside of me. I quickly shrugged it off. His phone started ringing. It wasn't his usual ringing tone. It was the ringing tone he set only for Lillian.

Richard answered the call, said a few words, and quickly stood up on his feet angrily. "Lilly, are you alright? How bad is it? You should have been more careful. Send me your location. I'm coming there right now."

"Lilly twisted her ankle while shopping with Ayesha, and she wants me to take her to the hospital," Richard said, grabbing his jacket.

"Lilly... You know, I have never heard you call her Lillian, or is there more to it?"

Richard stopped in his tracks as he glared at me. "Fiona, it doesn't matter whether I call her Lilly or Lillian. She's hurt and needs my help right now. Why are you being so inconsiderate?"

I smiled. "Relax, honey. I wasn't stopping you from going to her, so why are you suddenly angry? I know you and Lillian have known each other for long, even before she became your sister-in-law, so it's natural you guys call each other by your nicknames."

Richard nodded and ran out of the room. I watched as his black Mercedes-Benz disappeared from the driveway from my window. I breathed a sigh of relief. I almost let the words slip out of my mouth.

From now on, I have to be careful of what I say to Richard or even Lillian. I have always been good at playing the understanding and obedient wife. I just needed to keep it up if I wanted to secure a clean and smooth divorce.

I lay down thinking of my next move, and my phone rang. It was Alice.

"Hey bitch, wanna go out for a drink?"

"Sure, but a bit later. I still have to sell those jewelry today, especially the diamond necklaces."

"Did Richard suspect anything yet?"

"Nope, but I almost slipped while talking to him. But Thank God-"

"Alright, I will come by and pick you up later. Will that be okay?"

"Sure, that would be a perfect time."

We chatted a bit longer. I felt better. Alice always has a way of cracking me up.

One of the good things about being married to Richard was freedom. He never meddled in my business or asked my whereabouts. Even his family couldn't monitor me closely the way they monitored Lillian.

They don't want to mess with my family. Despite marrying Richard against my parents' wish, the Gates knew better than to mess with me.

The Gates never allowed Lillian to work. They said it would bring shame to their legacy. But I was allowed to work. Quietly, I had continued to build my medical career and held regular consultations at the hospital. After five years, my savings were stronger than I had expected, plus the money I would receive for selling my jewelry.

At 8 p.m., I was already waiting for Alice downstairs. I was in high spirits. Alice pulled up outside, honking in her usual style.

As I slid inside her car, Alice raised an eyebrow, looking at me smiling. "Someone's in a good mood. Tell me you got good money for those shits?"

"Lots of money, worth celebrating," I said happily. "Drinks on me tonight."

The bar was already full, but Alice had reserved our usual spot, thanks to her connections. I excused myself to use the restroom. By the time I came out, Alice had already drunk two bottles of beer.

"So tell me, bitch, does Richard know you drink alcohol?"

I took a sip from my own bottle and nodded. "Of course not. He doesn't have time for me. We never go on outings together. And also, just like he doesn't know that I know what's going on between him and Lillian."

"Richard kiss her! Or else you pay a thousand bucks!" Someone from the crowd yelled. As if on cue, the others started yelling, "Kiss her! Kiss her!"

"What's that?" Alice asked, looking at the crowd. I followed her gaze to the middle of the commotion.

"Is that Richard?" Alice asked, her expression darkening.

I nodded. "Yeah, that's him," I replied, sipping my drink as I watched the drama.

Richard stood in the middle of the crowd, with his arm wrapped around a woman in a skintight black dress. He was smiling affectionately at her. I never knew that the always composed Richard could be this affectionate.

"That's Lillian in his arm! His mistress and the love of his life is Lillian?"

"Yes, you are shocked, right?" I asked her, opening another bottle of beer. Alice drained her glass and belched. "That bitch just lost her husband," she said in a hoarse voice.

Just then, Richard pulled Lillian closer to him and kissed her. The crowd went wild. They looked like the perfect couple.

Alice stood up abruptly. I knew what she was going to do, especially now that she was drunk. I grabbed her wrist and shook my head. "Please don't."

"Come on, Fiona, you think I'm stupid?" She brought out her phone and snapped a few pictures of Richard and his lover, who were still engrossed in the kiss. "Wait for tomorrow's headline," she said smiling mischievously. "Let's go and continue our fun somewhere else."

The next day, I didn't wake up until past noon. My head was pounding, and my hair was disheveled. I almost jumped at my own reflection in the mirror. I picked up my phone and saw a credit alert of one million dollars. I rubbed my eyes to be sure of what I was seeing. I wasn't hallucinating. The money was really there.

I checked who the sender was. It was Lillian.

I smiled. Memories from last night came rushing back. "She really did transfer the money back to me. I'm one million richer," I yelled, performing a little dance.

I knew the money must have come from Richard, but I don't care. It was our joint savings, and half the marital assets belongs to me. I went downstairs in my disheveled state to make myself a hangover soup.

The maid was already waiting for me. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Gates. Want something to eat? I can make you some hangover soup or anything else you want to eat."

"Just the hangover soup, please. I'm having a terrible headache," I said, glancing around the house. "Did Richard and Lillian come back home last night?"

"No, Mrs. Gates."

"Alright, go and prepare the soup for me, and add painkillers too." I sat on the sofa, scrolling through my phone.

Just then, Ayesha ran out of her room and scrunched up her face at me. "Bad aunt. Uncle Richard and Mommy went out together last night. Uncle Richard will get married to my mommy very soon, and you will be chased out of this house. Bad woman!"

"Okay, Ayesha," I nodded thoughtfully. "Do you know what that makes you, if your mommy marries your uncle Richard?"

"No," she nodded in her childish manner.

"Well, that makes you the daughter of a homewrecker, and I pray you don't grow up to become like your mother."

"No, I don't want to be the daughter of a homewrecker," Ayesha screamed, crying.

"And also, if your mommy and uncle Richard have another child, they will take you to the orphanage and dump you there," I said, eating my soup.

Ayesha fell to the floor, screaming. "I don't want to be sent to the orphanage."

I ignored her screaming and sat on the dining table as the maid brought out my hangover soup for me. I took the spoon and started eating, who'd occasionally look at Ayesha and stick out my tongue, which made her cry harder.

My phone buzzed with a text from Alice. "Check the trending news on Instagram."

I quickly dropped the spoon and opened Instagram.

"The Millionaire Richard Gates was caught cheating on his wife with a mystery woman last night in a club."

The maid ran to me with her phone. "Mrs. Gates, have you seen the news?" she asked.

"Yes, I just saw it now," I replied, sipping my soup nonchalantly.

"Mrs. Gates, are you alright? You know the pictures might be AI. You know how nasty the internet can be."

I nodded and continued sipping my soup. Whether it's real or not, it doesn't matter. I had seen it all with my eyes last night. Richard and Lillian were so engrossed in the kiss that they had forgotten their surroundings.

"Should I inform the Gates Matriarch?" the maid asked.

I nodded. After finishing my soup, I went upstairs and threw myself on the bed. I need more sleep. Richard and Lillian can handle their own mess.

I slept throughout the afternoon, only waking up in the evening for dinner. The maid had prepared all my favorite dishes, but I was still not able to eat much.

The maid stood beside me, trying to urge me to eat more. "Mrs. Gates, I called the Gates Residence. You don't have to worry about anything now. But there's a little problem."

"What is it?"

"The matriarch was so angry that she collapsed. She's in the hospital as we speak now."

"What? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" I asked her, frowning.

"I knew you were upset and have been crying since you read the news, so I didn't want to disturb your sleep."

I looked at her. "I have been crying since afternoon?" I asked her in shock.

"Yes, Mrs. Gates," the maid replied.

How come I didn't know I was crying? I wasn't even the least sad or heartbroken. I had known about their affair for a while now, so why would I be heartbroken? I thought to myself.

"Mrs. Gates, I know you are just holding in your pains, and I also know that women married into wealthy families are expected to bear the pains and shame of their husbands' extramarital affairs without showing emotions, but it's okay. You can cry as much as you want. I won't mention it to the Matriarch," the maid said, looking at me with pity.

I didn't know what to say, but I didn't bother correcting her either. Her assumption will add more fuel to the fire. And besides, I'm still legally married to Richard. With the news of his affairs all over social media, it made sense for me to be heartbroken.

I decided to play along. I started sniffing. "Why would Richard treat me this way? I trusted him so much," I said, sniffing and wiping my imaginary tears.

"Please, Mrs. Gates, don't cry. I promise you the Matriarch will handle everything once she's out of the hospital."

I nodded, still sniffing. "I'm going to see her in the hospital now, and you can clear the table. I have lost my appetite."

I almost burst out laughing at my own performance as I climbed the stairs to my room. After taking a long hot bath, I was putting a finishing touch to my makeup when the door burst open.