Today happens to be Yvonne Ziegler's birthday. Yvonne is Shawn Jacobson's, my husband's, newly hired personal assistant.

Shawn spares no expense in buying her a villa as a birthday present, and Yvonne haughtily takes to social media to show off on the day she moves in.

"I'd like everyone to know that I'm married to a wealthy man now."

Shawn comments on the post, saying, "Happy birthday, my beloved Yvonne!"

In the picture, Shawn's hand rests intimately on Yvonne's slender waist, leaving no doubt about their intimate relationship.

In that instant, the company's group chat erupts into a frenzy of notifications, as colleagues declare their envy of Yvonne and heap praise upon her for being young and accomplished.

Oscar Jagger, my childhood friend, notices the picture and immediately tags me in the group chat. He then sends me a pointed, teasing message, saying, "Shawn's display of love is so glaring! Congrats on being cheated on, Leslie!"

I manage a bitter, wry smile, taking my time to type out the response. "Do you need a villa as well, Oscar? I'm happy to give you a place—a much nicer one than Shawn's, of course."

Upon seeing my response in Jacobson Group's group chat, everyone burst into a frenzy, flooding the message room with hundreds of texts.

"That gold-digger is spouting nonsense again!"

"Oscar is probably the only fool who would believe Leslie."

"You certainly run into all kinds of people out there. I mean, could she at least consider the setting before making such exaggerated claims?"

"That gold digger even dares to flirt in front of Mr. Jacobson. Who knows what kind of scandalous stuff she gets up to privately?"

Yvonne Ziegler goes as far as reprimanding me in a highly superior manner. "You've been working here for five years, yet you're still entry-level, Leslie! If I were Mr. Jacobson, I'd be ashamed to have you as a wife! You should work harder and follow my example!"

I had spent years deliberately playing down my role to respect Shawn Jacobson's fierce independence, discreetly supporting him from my low-level position.

I had leveraged my personal monopoly on key resources that helped him close every deal and helped him ascend to his current respectable position.

I, in turn, became the target of slander, labeled a kept woman and gold digger.

I paid no mind to any of those insults, though. I just never thought that Shawn would betray me one day.

It was at that moment that Shawn drew attention to me in the massive group chat, addressing me in front of thousands.

"You should take Yvonne's advice to heart, Leslie. She's better than you in every way, after all."

"That comment from Mr. Jacobson is very telling! Does his 'better in every way' comment include activities in bed, too?"

"It's such a shame that someone as stunning as Leslie turned out to be inadequate under the sheets."

"I had hoped that her performance in the bedroom would match her stunning looks."

In that instant, everyone in the group chat erupted with cackles and jeers, that last remark being spammed repeatedly.

It was then that Oscar Jagger said, "You guys are a pathetic group of fools. You treat everything that geezer Shawn says as gospel. I suppose you guys will be lining up to kiss his coffin when he eventually kicks the bucket, too, huh?"

I couldn't help but burst out laughing when I read his message. Oscar always had a reputation for speaking his mind, a trait that dated back to his childhood.

Those in the group chat went completely silent for a moment. After all, they had never anticipated Oscar to openly unleash such a public attack.

Shawn was absolutely livid when he read the message. He immediately reacted with humiliated rage. "You're fired, Oscar!"

I replied right after, "I'll be resigning as well since Oscar was fired."

Those in the group chat immediately burst into another round of laughter after reading that.

"Those two star-crossed lovers are truly making their big exit together!"

"Did this piece of garbage really think she was indispensable? Jacobson Group will fare much better without her!"

"Exactly!"

I never would have guessed that three seconds later, Shawn would suddenly call me, launching straight into a hostile interrogation.

"Leslie Reed! What in the world are you playing at? You'd better delete that message right now. I can make everyone act as if it never occurred."

"I'm not going to delete the message since I genuinely intend to resign."

"I only said a few critical things about you publicly, and Yvonne is indeed more competent than you. Why are you so hung up on what were clearly just two casual remarks, Leslie?"

I was momentarily rendered speechless by that. I considered this for a moment before saying, "I'll be blunt with you then, Shawn. I want a divorce."

Shawn fell silent for a moment before he let out a sneer, his voice dripping with disdain while saying, "You'd better not use divorce to threaten me, Leslie. I won't fall for that!

"I'm not going back tonight, so you'd better stay home, reflect on your actions, and report to work tomorrow morning once you've understood your place."

Shawn was as arrogant as ever, ending the call immediately after saying his piece. He seemed to have forgotten, however, who exactly had supplied the foundation for his arrogant posturing and lofty speech.

I arrived at work early the next morning. I had just walked through the door when I noticed everyone throwing mocking glances my way.

"Didn't the gold digger say she was going to resign yesterday? Why is she still here like a fool?"

"I know, right? I mean, she was acting all high and mighty yesterday. I almost thought the haughty Ms. Reed looked down on working alongside us."

I wasn't going to reason with the ignorant. I simply didn't have the energy to engage with their nonsense.

It was then that Yvonne emerged from his office. She immediately adopted a deeply patronizing and authoritative tone, asking, "You actually showed up, huh, Leslie? You see, I told you all that youngsters these days need restraints and should humble themselves to learn from others."

She then turned to the other employees and said, "You guys should really learn from Leslie's example!"

The others were aware that Yvonne was Shawn's current favorite and key confidante. They deeply resented her air of authority, but they still offered her superficial agreement and feigned compliance.

Having soaked up the approving glances from the other employees, Yvonne turned her attention to me and patted my shoulder with a show of concern, saying, "I've already taken the liberty of getting Mr. Jacobson's approval for me to supervise you, Leslie.

"I'll be taking you under my wing from now on, pushing you onto bigger projects and hopefully boosting you up that career ladder of yours."

I didn't even bother sparing her a glance. I picked up my cup and took a slow sip of my coffee. "It won't be necessary. What could you possibly offer when you're just a mere assistant? I'm also handing in my resignation today, so there's absolutely no need for you to inconvenience yourself."

In that instant, everyone broke into murmurs of surprise. There were some who burst out laughing as well.

"That's truly impressive, Leslie! I take back all the negative things I thought about you!"

There were some who murmured, "Holy shit! Did you see Yvonne's expression? She's flushed one second and drained of color the next! That sight is incredibly gratifying!"

Someone even exclaimed in delight, "I already hated coming to work, but I especially hated Yvonne's pretentious attitude. That putdown was absolutely satisfying!"

Yvonne was thoroughly defeated by my remarks, leaving her visibly upset and struggling for a comeback. She glared at me, pinning me with a furious look.

I paid her no mind, taking my time to methodically pack up my personal items.

Upon seeing that she couldn't get a reaction from me, Yvonne left in a fit of anger and went straight into Shawn's office.

It wasn't long before Shawn strode out and approached me, fixing me with a stern, frigid glare.

However, I barely acknowledged him.

I picked up the box once my things were almost entirely packed, intending to walk out of the office. "You're blocking my way, so please step aside."

Shawn cocked a brow, stating coldly, "I couldn't care less about you resigning, since Jacobson Group doesn't need someone like you here. I'll need you to apologize to Yvonne before you leave, though."

I asked in confusion, "Why should I apologize to her?"

"Yvonne made a generous offer to mentor you toward a promotion, only for you to give her that disrespectful, languid response. How dare you not apologize to her for that, Leslie?" Shawn's voice gained a sharp, demanding edge, causing the tension in the workspace to solidify immediately.

I had no desire to argue with him further, knowing it would be a waste of time. Hence, I simply turned and offered Yvonne a quick apology.

I tried to turn to leave, but Shawn relentlessly blocked my way, barking, "What kind of pathetic apology was that, Leslie?"

Yvonne also moved closer and chimed in, saying, "You can't be so reckless at such a young age, Leslie. You should strive for more composure."

"You can shove that composure of yours up your ass!" I immediately snapped, having reached the absolute end of my patience facing these two deranged people.

I then forcefully shoved Yvonne aside. I used very little force, but she still staggered dramatically and fell onto the floor, wearing a visibly pained expression.

"How dare you, Leslie!" Shawn immediately snapped, rushing forward. He then slapped me hard across the face, sending a searing pain across my cheek.

He then violently shoved me away, dismissing me as if I were utterly inconsequential. He moved to help Yvonne—who was clearly putting on a show—his entire demeanor radiating anxiety.

"Are you alright, Yvonne? Did you take a bad fall? Do you need me to take you to the hospital?"

I truly questioned my standing in Shawn's life at this moment.

I had never once witnessed him make such a worried expression, despite being married to him for eight years.

I even broke my leg while saving him from an oncoming car once, yet he didn't express an ounce of worry, only insulting me and implying that the injury was my deserved punishment.

Yet now, Yvonne had merely staged a minor fall, and Shawn was frantic enough to immediately dial the emergency line. Perhaps he genuinely had feelings for Yvonne.

I had no desire to dwell on that anymore, though. "I'll have my lawyer deliver the divorce agreement tomorrow morning, so let's call it a day and go our separate ways, Shawn."

I simply walked out of the office after saying that, not once looking back.

I felt the cool breeze around me as soon as I stepped outside, making me shiver as I walked.

All of a sudden, I felt a void inside, as if I had suddenly been left without a home.

Unbothered, Shawn returned home utterly intoxicated that night, stumbling in well after midnight.

"Let's do it in the bathroom tonight, Yvonne…"

I had just opened the door when Shawn stumbled and collapsed into my embrace, the heavy, obnoxious scent of perfume immediately assaulting my senses.

I felt nothing but utter nausea when he pressed his lips to my neck. I instantly pushed him away with considerable force.

Having no one to lean on, Shawn staggered before hitting the floor. He then whined loudly, asking, "Why did you push me away, Yvonne? Do you no longer care for me since you're with child now?"

He sounded injured and deeply heartbroken. "You can't do this to me! You still have to love me more than you love him, even if he is my son!"

I thought my ears were failing me. "W-What? What did you just say, Shawn?"

"I'm talking about our baby, Yvonne. You surely haven't forgotten that night we spent…" Shawn mumbled, trailing off in his drunken recollection.

I had assumed Shawn had lost all ability to provoke me while in such a state.

Yet, in that instant, I completely lost all reason. I gripped his collar tightly and questioned him like a madwoman.

"I have always wanted a baby while we were married over the years, yet you always claimed that a baby would derail your career. I foolishly believed your excuses this whole time!

"How could you just turn around and knock Yvonne up? You made a complete fool out of me, Shawn! How could you even live with yourself?"

Shawn offered no response whatsoever. He was too far gone, completely out of it while under the influence of alcohol.

I was the only one in the entire living room, whispering, sobbing, and repeatedly demanding an answer to the same question.

Shawn had collapsed and was already sound asleep on the floor by now.

I, on the other hand, had gradually calmed down, my voice raw from all the sobbing.

It was then that Shawn's phone pinged with two incoming messages. I happened to catch sight of my name on the screen. I immediately unlocked the phone to read the messages.

Shawn had sent, "You don't have to be afraid of Leslie. I'll simply tell her that the baby was adopted once he's born, and she'll surely raise the baby for us, Yvonne."

Yvonne replied, "You shouldn't divorce Leslie for now, then. Otherwise, we'll have no one to raise the baby. If not, we could always have an abortion. I really can't be bothered with raising a child."

I wiped away my tears after reading the messages and let out a chilling, humorless laugh. "I gave you my all for eight years. I helped you secure your business and boost your standing. Is this how you're going to repay me? By betraying and conspiring to deceive me? Your easy life is coming to an end, Shawn!"