When my husband, Jared Hunt, receives a promotion that requires him to travel to Belmont, a big city, he submits a list of family members who will be traveling with him to the organization.

He has submitted two names; the first one being our son, Jackson Hunt, and the second being a knowledgeable young woman, Sabrina Hayes. She's a friend who has traveled to the village with him in the first place.

Life in the village is difficult. There's no way Jared will let Jackson suffer in the village.

As for Sabrina, he has already given her his word to take her back to Belmont a long time ago.

But when it comes to me, his actual wife, he thinks I should be gracious and offer the opportunity of traveling to Belmont to others.

"It's completely useless for a country bumpkin like you to go to Belmont. Sabrina is very knowledgeable, so she's a more suitable candidate. Jackson and I will come back for you when an opportunity comes up in the future."

As I listen to Jared's perfunctory explanation, I can feel my heart breaking.

But what Jared doesn't know is that I'm not a country bumpkin despite having lived in the village longer than him.

The truth is, I'm the talent that Belmont wants the most. The promotion that Jared cherishes the most is actually something that I don't want.

I returned home in a daze, only to hear cheerful laughter coming from inside.

Jared Hunt saw me and immediately wiped the smile from his face, giving me a cold, indifferent look. "Since you're back, get dinner ready. Everyone's waiting."

He didn't ask why I was late, nor did he mention the travel list I had handed in.

When Jared first came to the countryside, he fell for me at first sight. He always stammered and fumbled his words whenever we spoke. I hadn't planned on getting involved with anyone, but Jared kept blushing and following after me. Over time, I let my guard down and agreed to be with him.

When we first got married, Jared promised that one day, he would take me back to Belmont and show me the city where he grew up.

Somewhere along the way, I fell more deeply in love, but Jared began to pull away.

Sabrina Hayes stepped out of Jared's room, dressed in the very wedding dress I had cherished for years.

Her smiling eyes curved into crescents, carrying the effortless beauty of youth. The red bodice of the dress made her cheeks look even more rosy.

In contrast, years beneath the sun and wind had already left fine lines at the corners of my eyes.

Sabrina saw me and covered her mouth, gasping softly. "Kylie, you're back! My dress got wet earlier, so Jared found me something else to change into. I hope you don't mind."

Her words sounded apologetic, but the pride in her eyes nearly overflowed.

I bit back my anger and said stiffly, "He told you to change, and you went along with it. Can't you see this is a wedding dress? Do you really think it's appropriate to change clothes in the house of another woman's husband?"

Sabrina froze, and tears slowly welled up in her eyes. "I didn't know. I'm sorry..."

Jared suddenly slammed his hand on the table and shouted at me, "Enough! I was the one who gave Sabrina the clothes. Why are you taking it out on her? Her dress got wet. Do you expect her to keep wearing it? Can you stop being so selfish?"

I bit my lip, unable to believe that Jared was actually shouting at me.

Even my son, Jackson Hunt, put down his book with a frown.

"Mommy, it's just a dress. You scared Sabrina—you're being way too petty."

His words chilled me to the bone, making me feel as if I were the one to blame.

Jared gently brushed away Sabrina's tears, then gave me an icy stare.

"Stop making a scene. Get dinner ready. Sabrina's eating here tonight, and don't add chili pepper. She can't handle it."

Before I could respond, he left without looking back.

That night, I went on strike and refused to cook.

Jared didn't bother to coax me. He just took Sabrina and Jackson out to eat. They didn't come back until late, leaving me no opportunity to question him about the travel list.

By morning, word had spread through the village that Jared was set to be promoted to Belmont and that Jackson and I would be going with him.

I was still half-asleep when a deafening slam of the door pulled me fully awake. Jared seized me and dragged me out of bed.

"Kylie Summer, do you enjoy making things difficult for me?"

My head spun. I had no idea what was happening.

"I don't know who told you about Belmont, but I'm telling you now—your name isn't on the list! Stop dreaming," he barked.

I let out a cold laugh. "So? What exactly are you trying to say to me?"

He sneered. "Don't act innocent. You're spreading rumors just to get your name on the list, aren't you? You're nothing but a country bumpkin. Look at yourself—do you really think you deserve to go to Belmont with me?"

Finally, Jared revealed his true face.

Sabrina, who had rushed after him, spoke through her tears, "Jared, I took Kylie's spot, and she's upset… I would have given it back if she had asked. Please, don't fight over me."

Jackson tried to soothe her, like a young adult. "Sabrina, don't cry. This was always your place. Mommy doesn't understand anything. It would be a waste if she went to Belmont. You're the only one who belongs with us."

My husband and son were busy with another woman, leaving me lying on the floor, like a complete mess.

I glared at Jared with nothing but bitter disappointment.

"I knew you were going to Belmont and that my name wasn't on the list, but I don't know how anyone else found out. You owe me an explanation—why is Sabrina the only name on your travel list?"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Jared averted his eyes and looked away from me.

"You're from the countryside, and you wouldn't help in the slightest even if you went to Belmont. Sabrina is educated and far more suited. We'll come back to visit you when we can," he said.

Jared's words were a lie so hollow he couldn't even convince himself.

I couldn't help but snort. "Belmont is over six hundred miles away. How do you expect to visit me frequently?"

His expression darkened at my words. "Don't be selfish. Chances like this don't come often. If Sabrina misses it, she may never have another shot. I know you've resented her all along, but there's nothing going on between us. Stop being so willful."

Jackson crossed his arms, imitating Jared's posture, and lectured me like a young adult, "Mommy, you're being selfish. You grew up in the countryside. Why deny Sabrina the chance to return to the city?

"Daddy's right! Only someone educated and capable like her deserves to go to Belmont with us."

Had he truly forgotten that he came from the countryside and that his life had started in my womb?

Whether I went to Belmont or not didn't matter. What truly hurt was Jared's and Jackson's attitudes. For the sake of a stranger, they judged me without any thought or reason.

As Jared walked off with Sabrina, he said coldly, "Stay at home and reflect. Don't act so childish again."

Jared and Jackson started giving me the cold shoulder. In the past, I would have immediately blamed myself, humbled myself, and tried to win them back. But now, I refused to play along. I hadn't done anything wrong. They were only hoping their cold attitude would make me give in.

Eventually, Jackson couldn't hold back and shyly came to me. "Mommy, I finally learned the Pythagorean theorem."

His eager expression made me feel oddly uninterested. Even when I found Jackson clumsy, I used to pretend not to understand, let him explain, and shower him with praise. He would always sigh and mutter, "It's all knowledge. You wouldn't understand it anyway."

After all those pep talks, he actually thought he was a genius. The Pythagorean theorem was easy—I had learned it back when I was a toddler.

Jackson was approaching eight years old and still only learning it, but he strutted around as though he had accomplished something incredible.

I had no time for flattery, so I said lightly, "Good job. Keep it up."

Jackson didn't get the response he wanted. He shot me a furious glare and stormed off. Soon after, the organization found out that Jared hadn't taken his wife to Belmont and sent someone to check.

Jared carried himself with exaggerated self-importance. "Sabrina is an intellectual, and I am convinced that taking her to Belmont is best for her and for the nation. My small family means nothing when duty calls, and my wife fully supports me."

The organization was moved by this sense of duty and approved a grant for our family. Still, when the funds arrived, none of it reached me.

I caught up with Jared while he was out shopping in the county with Jackson and Sabrina. He was already juggling several bags, almost all packed with women's clothes.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at home cleaning and cooking? What are you doing out?" Jared asked, staring down at me like a king, as if I owed him an apology.

I wasn't there to apologize. "Jared, where's the money the organization sent for me?"

Jared snapped, "What money of yours? It's technically in your name, but it was really given because I got promoted to lead in Belmont. How does that make it yours? I decide how to spend it, and you have no right to interfere!

"Besides, you don't even need it here in the village! Prices in Belmont are high, and we can barely make ends meet!"

Looking at Jared's self-righteous face, I felt nothing but disappointment. "Give me the money now, or I'll report this to the higher-ups. This is blatant misuse of funds, and I want to see how you explain it in Belmont."

Jared's eyes widened with rage. "You're impossible to reason with!"

Sabrina was more terrified than anyone at the thought of not going to Belmont. She immediately grabbed Jared's sleeve and said, "Jared, Kylie's upset. Please return the money to her. I don't want it…"

Jared held Sabrina close, slamming his foot in anger. "You jealous woman! You just can't tolerate Sabrina! If you take this money today, it's over—we'll get a divorce!"

Jackson joined the fray, hurling insults and declaring he would never talk to me again, but I stood my ground. A small crowd had gathered, murmuring among themselves.

I had done nothing wrong, and I wasn't afraid. In the end, Jared and Sabrina surrendered and gave me the money.