By now, Sean must've gotten used to using Grayson as a shield whenever things got complicated. And yet, I couldn't help but smile as I grabbed my bag and stood up.

"You guys go ahead," I said. "I’m heading out first."

Sean walked with me all the way to the hospital entrance, his face full of affection. He was laying it on thick.

“Baby, when we get home, I’ll cook for you. I’ll make your favorite oil-braised shrimp,” he said with a soft grin, his eyes full of that phony devotion.

His words dripped with sweetness like I was the only woman in the world. “Next time, I won’t agree to Grayson’s requests anymore. From now on, I’ll stay home with my wife.”

People passing by couldn’t help but glance at us, probably thinking what a lucky woman I was. But all I felt was disgust.

I turned away, fighting the smirk I couldn’t entirely suppress, and hopped into a taxi. But I wasn’t going straight home. Not yet.

“Pull over up ahead,” I told the driver. “Let’s wait here for a minute.”

I had a feeling I needed to see something before I went back to that house.

Just a while ago, Veronica had sent me a message that left a sour taste in my mouth.

“Do you know where this is?” she asked, sending me a picture of the obstetrics and gynecology department. Her tone oozed smugness. “This is the obstetrics and gynecology department. You’ll probably never get a chance to come here in your life. Shame, right?”

The message continued, practically gloating. “Michelle, do you really think Sean loves you? A man’s love means nothing. He even said he’d take me to watch the sunset later.”

She kept on, her words dripping with satisfaction. “He never liked women like you—a dead fish. He says he loves me because I’m ‘open.’ He loves discovering new ‘scenarios’ with me…”

I stared at the screen, her words stinging. But I refused to let her get the best of me. I wasn’t going to play her game.

I waited in silence, the minutes stretching on like hours, until finally, I saw Sean’s car pull out of the hospital parking lot. And, of course, Veronica was right beside him, that smug little grin still plastered on her face.

As the car passed, I saw her lean over and kiss him on the cheek. The sight made my stomach churn.

They parked by the river, and I watched as they exited the car, the golden glow of the sunset painting the sky behind them.

But what was supposed to be a romantic moment quickly turned into something else entirely. They were tangled up on the hood of the car, clothes half off, their bodies pressed together in a way that made my blood boil.

But then, just as things were getting heated, I saw Sean pull back. He frowned, his hands gripping her shoulders as he gently pushed her away.

“The doctor said the fetus is still unstable,” he said, his voice tight. “Don’t be reckless.”

Veronica laughed lightly, teasing him. “Won’t it be fine if we just stay out here?”

Sean didn’t hesitate, his breath shallow. “Fine.”

I closed my eyes, feeling the weight of it all crashing down.

“Sir,” I said flatly, “take me back.”

I didn’t need to see any more. They could continue whatever they were doing, but I was done.

As the taxi started moving, I let my mind wander. The years of marriage and the trust I thought we had all felt like a cruel joke now. Sean had always been so good to me.

I remembered how he’d been there for me when I was kidnapped by his enemies while trying to save his sister. His family had been grateful—so grateful they promised to treat me like family for the rest of my life.

But now?

Here he was, having a baby with another woman. All because of a misdiagnosis.

The weight of it was too much to bear, but I couldn’t focus on it for long. Instead, I told the cab driver, “Take me to Fairmount Hotel.”

Grayson had sent me the address and room number. Tonight, I had a feeling things were about to get... interesting.

When I walked into the hotel room, Grayson was wrapped in a bathrobe, looking too comfortable. He flashed me a lazy grin.

“Good girl,” he said, his voice dripping with mock sweetness. "I was just about to change and come find you."

I gave him a sidelong glance. “You are really shameless.”

I walked past Grayson without giving him another look, my mind too focused on the situation to play his games.

Grayson and Sean had been best friends since college. They pursued me at the same time, but I chose Sean and sent him love letters.

Grayson had stepped back, but it wasn’t without some lingering tension.

On the day of our wedding, Grayson hadn’t even shown up. Instead, he had sent us a $5,000 gift through his friends. I appreciated the gesture, but it made things awkward.

Over the past five years, Grayson had dated a few women, but none of those relationships had lasted.

Sean often teased him, “Grayson, can you stop being so picky?”

“Seriously, what kind of girlfriend are you looking for?” Sean would ask, laughing. “I’ve got so many beautiful girls at my company. Let me introduce you.”

But Grayson always had that mischievous glint in his eyes when he’d look at me. “I want a wife like yours.”

And Sean would always turn cold and kick him lightly, pretending it didn’t bother him.

“Don’t mess with me, man. My wife is off-limits," Sean would always say to him. "I’m serious, Michelle is my world.”

But, of course, that was just a one-time drunk joke.

After that, we never brought it up again. Over time, Sean stopped reacting to Grayson’s jabs—he just brushed them off like it didn’t even matter. But I didn’t expect Grayson to take it even further.

One afternoon, I was out shopping, doing my thing, when my phone buzzed. I looked at the screen, and sure enough, it was a message from Grayson.

“Michelle, wanna watch a little office movie?” it said.

The video popped up before I could figure out what he was talking about.

I chuckled at first, thinking it was just another one of his dumb jokes. But when I saw the cover of the video, my smile froze.

It was Sean.

My husband, Sean, looked like a beast, kissing some woman’s neck in an office, holding her close like they were the only ones in the world.

I felt the blood drain from my face. That’s when it hit me—Sean had been cheating on me for who knows how long.

During all those nights, he told me he was working late.

He wasn’t working. He was with his secretary, Veronica. All those late nights? Lies. All of them.

I stood there, shaking, staring at the screen, feeling like the floor was about to drop from under me. I barely had time to process it when I realized I wasn’t alone.

Now, I was sitting in a hotel room. Grayson was standing there, looking way too relaxed for the situation. But when he saw me sitting on the couch, his usual cocky grin faded. His face went red, and he shifted uncomfortably.

“Michelle, you didn’t come here to... mess around with me, did you?” he asked, trying to cover up the tension with a joke. “I mean, you’re so proper, right? You wouldn’t use me like that to get back at your husband. Let me guess... what’s the real reason you came here?”

Before he could finish, I stood up, walked right up to him, and shoved him back against the wall.

His face reddened as he’d just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Michelle, you—”

“Help me get a divorce,” I cut him off, my voice cold and flat.

Grayson blinked, clearly thrown off. “What?”

“I want Sean to lose everything,” I said, my words coming out sharper. “I want his money, his assets, everything. I want it all. Help me with this, and I’ll be your girlfriend.”

Grayson stared at me, and for the first time, I saw something other than his usual teasing grin. Something serious.

“Michelle, you’re... serious?” His voice dropped low, and I could see the excitement flicker in his eyes.

I’d always known Grayson had feelings for me. There was that one time during a game of Truth or Dare when he was drunk out of his mind, and the guys pushed him to say who he liked. He barely mumbled anything, but I could tell he had a thing for me. I always knew.

And now, here he was, practically glowing. He reached out, and without thinking, he linked his pinky finger with mine.

“It’s a deal,” he said, that goofy grin back on his face.

I couldn’t help but glance down at his sharp collarbones. Rationality was screaming at me to stop, but something else was pulling me in.

Before I could even pull my hand back, Grayson grabbed it and placed it on his collarbone.

“You wanna touch it?” he teased. “Don’t be shy. I don’t mind.”

I felt my face go red. This wasn’t why I came here; I hated how my body reacted.

“I didn’t come here to have an affair with you,” I said, trying to push the heat out of my system. “I’m not doing anything until after I divorce my husband.”

Grayson smirked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Of course, Michelle,” he said, still smiling. “I’ll wait for you.”

...

After leaving the hotel, I wandered the city, not knowing where I was going. I ended up at a bar, trying to drown my thoughts with a few drinks. By the time I made it back home, it was well past midnight.

I expected the house to be empty and quiet. But when I opened the door, I found Sean standing there, looking like he’d been pacing.

The second he saw me, he rushed and pulled me into his arms.

“Michelle, where the hell have you been?” His voice cracked, sounding desperate. “I’ve been lookin’ everywhere for you! Why are you so late? I was freakin’ out!”

I stood there, stiff as a board, in his arms. His eyes were red, his face frantic, like he thought something bad had happened to me.

He held me like I was some fragile thing like I was precious.

I almost laughed in his face. The man who’d been sleepin’ with God knows how many women were now acting like I was his one true love.

It was almost funny... if it wasn’t so damn sad.

For all these years, Sean had played the part of the perfect husband. He cooked dinner and did the little things to keep up appearances for his family, friends, and coworkers—hell, for everyone but me.

To the world, he was the perfect man. The CEO. The doting husband. But behind closed doors? He was a stranger.

Sean knows exactly what bags I like. He fills my wardrobe with the latest collections, paying attention to every little thing. When I mentioned I had a heart condition, he started worrying even more. But even with all that, he still let another woman bear his child.

"Michelle, Mom called. She wants us to go to the house for dinner tomorrow," Sean said, his voice soft as he walked into the kitchen holding a bowl of soup.

I’d been out drinking the night before, and he knew it. So here he was, making me hangover soup with that concerned look he always gave me, the one he saved just for me.

When he handed me the bowl, his eyes were full of care. "We haven’t been to the house in a while. Tomorrow, I’ll take you with me. It’ll be a good chance to clear your head."

I just stared at him, feeling the weight of everything crashing down on me.

"I’m not feeling well tomorrow," I said, my voice flat, numb.

Sean pressed a little more, asking if I was sure, but when he saw I wasn’t budging, he just nodded and went on with his day. Like nothing was wrong.

...

The next afternoon, something clicked in my head. I remembered I’d left a few things at the old house. And if I’m going through with this divorce, I might as well take everything with me. So, I called a taxi and headed over, thinking I’d be in and out without a fuss.

But when I walked in, I wasn’t prepared for what I saw—everyone was there, all smiles, welcoming Veronica.

It felt like a punch to the gut. Sean, who’d never even mentioned her to the family, had brought her to the old house and they were all celebrating her pregnancy like it was the best news in the world.

Sean’s mom was holding Veronica’s hand like she was some sort of queen.

"This is great! Our family will finally have a grandchild!" she beamed.

"I can finally get what I wanted—a grandson to hold soon!" she added, her eyes sparkling with joy.

My sister-in-law, Tabitha, couldn't hide her disgust. "She’s just my brother’s mistress. What’s the point of her having the child? It’s still an illegitimate one."

Before anyone could respond, Sean’s mom whipped around, furious. "Don’t you dare say such things!"

"If it weren’t for your sister-in-law not being able to get pregnant, would I have to pray to the gods every damn day for a grandson?" she shouted.

"What’s wrong with an illegitimate child?" she continued, voice rising with every word. "He’s still part of our family!"

And then, as if on cue, Sean's mom turned on me.

"It’s all because of Michelle," she spat. "If she could’ve had a child, you wouldn’t have been stuck with her all these years. Now look at her—heart disease, no children in sight!"

The words sliced through me, and I could barely stop myself from flinching.

"And now she can’t even have children, so what’s the point? She’s infertile, Sean!"

Sean’s mother was relentless. "Hurry up and divorce her. Veronica’s pregnant with our family’s child. Marry her so your son has a real name!"

“Mom, Don’t say things like that!” Sean snapped, his voice low and furious. "Stop! Even if Veronica has a kid, I’ll adopt it and raise it as my own."

Sean's mom just sneered at him. "You really have no backbone, huh? Letting one woman walk all over you."

At that point, Tabitha couldn’t stay quiet any longer. She shot up, her face flushed with anger. "Mom, how can you be so ungrateful? If it weren’t for Michelle, I’d be dead right now. She saved my life!"

"You promised you’d treat her like your own daughter!" Tabitha’s voice was shaking. "It’s just that she can’t have kids. Why are you being so cruel..."

But before she could say more, Sean's mom slapped her across the face.

Tabitha ran out, tears in her eyes, the sound of the door slamming echoing through the house.

For a moment, the room was silent. And I felt something strange—like there were still a few people here who remembered what I’d done for them. But it didn’t matter, because Sean let all this happen. He let other women and other children into our lives without a second thought.

This house… it wasn’t a home anymore.

A few days later, I got a message from Grayson.

[I got it. How do you want to thank me?]

He sent a picture of the divorce agreement. The last page had Sean’s signature on it. I stared at the photo for a moment, my heart pounding.

"How did you do it?" I whispered, barely believing it.

I’d been racking my brain, trying to figure out how I could ever get Sean to sign the papers. I knew he’d never agree to it—not without a fight.

But here it was, in Grayson’s hands—Sean’s signature, clear as day. It was real.