Miles took a quick step forward and grabbed my arm.
I glanced at his hand, smiled wryly, and asked, "This isn't appropriate, Mr. Gallagher. You should be mindful of your actions when you have a family now."
He seemed to have a lot to say. Yet, in the end, he bitterly said, "Can't we just sit down and have a proper conversation, Yvvy?"
"I have nothing to say to a married man," I replied.
Speaking of the devil, the doorbell rang once again.
Sasha, Miles' second wife, showed up. She was dressed in all white. She wore a cashmere coat, beret, and a scarf, with her hair done straight and simple.
Although she was married, she looked incredibly fresh and youthful.
"Hello, Grandpa Connor and Grandma Katie," Sasha greeted them politely. She then walked in and called for Miles. "I heard that Grandpa Connor and Grandma Katie aren't used to staying over. Did you send them back, Miles?"
It was a rather awkward situation now, as he still held onto my arm. It made me seem like a mistress.
Sasha repeated, "Miles?"
Her voice was calm and measured, carrying a sweet and delicate tone. Although it has a high pitch, it didn't come off as fake at all. It was apparent that she was born with such a gentle voice.
Miles stared at me, completely ignoring Sasha. It was as if he had forgotten that we were already divorced in a messy, awkward way.
Sasha then turned to me. "Hello, Ms. Cooper."
I smiled wryly. I was never one to bother with formalities, yet she was doing that with me now.
…
Whether Sasha was the mistress who came between my marriage with Miles had always been an unresolved question.
She was a rising star in the entertainment industry who was starting to gain some fame. Riding the wave of her popularity, she was invited to a charity event of an A-list brand to promote their jewelry.
Sasha did not know how to work the room, looking embarrassed and out of place. As such, nobody acknowledged her.
As the evening neared its end, she hadn't even made a single sale. Frustrated, Gordon Hawkins, her agent, told her to go around and offer drinks to people.
Sasha gripped tightly onto her gown, looking as if she was ready to bolt in a defeated manner. She looked rather pitiful.
I understood that many young women wouldn't want to be in these situations. However, it was hard not to feel humiliated when you were trying to get money out of other people.
Many brands spent a fortune inviting celebrities over. Even if those celebrities weren't being paid directly, they were thinking about their future resources and endorsements.
I wasn't aware if anything shady would happen after the event, but everyone attending the main event brought their families that night. For example, Miles and I attended the event with Andy.
With how generous Miles was toward me, he was naturally the VIP guest of the brand.
Celebrities were basically high-end salespeople at events like this. I wasn't sure what went on behind the scenes, but their job was to smile, flatter, and offer drinks to others during the event.
Even Louis Greyson, a veteran celebrity, came over to pick Andy up affectionately while chatting happily with Miles. They looked like old friends catching up.
Miles was generous enough to ask him about the line of jewelry he was endorsing and bought up most of the pieces. He bought anything that caught his eye.
If it weren't for him suppressing the news, the following day's headlines would probably be full of stories about how the scion of the Gallagher family had spent millions just to win his wife's favor.
I noticed how uncomfortable Sasha looked, and I happened to like the historical drama she was recently in. Although I wasn't a fangirl, I did have a good impression of her.
I then called her over and asked, "The jewelry on your wrist is beautiful. Could you take it off and let me have a look?"
Sasha immediately started tearing up. Assuming that she was touched, I even comforted her, "It's alright. I'm here tonight to shop anyway."
Miles turned around and was met with Sasha's gaze.
I happened to be looking down at Andy. Someone had given him a diamond necklace, which he was about to stuff into his mouth.
I hurriedly pulled it out of his mouth. "Don't put just anything into your mouth, Andy!"
Miles regained his senses and pried open Andy's mouth. With our joint effort, we finally tossed the diamond necklace onto the banquet table. We then hurriedly took a crying Andy out.
Sasha ran after us and pleaded with Miles, "I'll get scolded by my agent and the agency if I return without making a single sale tonight, Mr. Gallagher. Can you please help me out?"
He turned to me and asked, "Do you like it?"
I wasn't in the mood to think about it as I was busy with Andy. I replied perfunctorily, "The jewelry on her wrist is beautiful. I'll wear it during the summer if you buy it."
I then crouched to cover Andy's mouth to stop him from crying loudly and slipped away to the rooftop.
Miles took the waiter's signing pen and casually left his signature on the event card. He then pointed at Sasha and said, "I'll take everything she's wearing tonight."
He then ran out to find me and Andy.
It was easy to cheer Andy up. He started smiling as soon as he saw the fireworks outside. Patrick and Nancy Wood, Andy's nanny, rushed up but went down again.
Miles pinched Andy's cheeks and grinned. "What a good boy you are!"
I chuckled and replied, "This brat is worried his dad might throw him out."
Miles grumbled, "He has indeed ruined many of our date nights."
…
Miles and I had a huge fight the day Sasha became a guest of the Gallagher's. There were already hints before this.
It seemed like both of them had suddenly become close after that event. The media went wild, reporting that he had spent 50 million on the jewelry line of a rising star.
The jewelry brand was caught up in gossip. Even those who attended the event spoke about it with such certainty as if it were true.
I confronted Miles sternly, and he raised his hands as he pleaded his innocence. "Weren't you the one who asked me to buy the jewelry she had on her? How dare they try to break my family apart! I'll teach them a lesson!"
At that moment, he was humming affectionately while holding Andy. His behavior resembled a young kid at home.
We were childhood friends who grew up together. How could I not trust him when I have known him for so long?
I defended Miles on Twitter by posting, "Don't feed the rumors." A photo of the three of us taken from behind after the event was also attached. My message was clear. He was a well-behaved family man.
I was mocked on the internet for three whole months. They called me a clueless, lovestruck fool, obliviously happy even when my husband was cheating.
Some said that I was a cold, calculating wife, while others commented that I was detached and rational. Others said that I would keep out of my husband's business if he gave me monthly allowances.
Some even claimed that Miles and I had been doing our own things for years since we were in a marriage of convenience in the first place.
I found it exasperating yet amusing at the same time. However, the fun did not last long.
Sasha showed up at my house, waiting pitifully outside the door and refusing to leave even when it was pouring outside.
When Miles drove back, he asked Lucas Green, the doorman, what happened. Lucas replied, "Ms. Bailey said she's here to apologize, but Mrs. Gallagher wouldn't let her in."
I truly found Sasha annoying. Since it was just a misunderstanding, it would be okay to avoid suspicion in the future.
Why would she come to my house just to explain? It was bound to attract trouble, especially when the reporters were around. They would mock me for enduring the humiliation once again.
I wasn't in the mood to even play with Andy. He had called for me multiple times as he lay in my embrace.
Miles walked in. I was about to grumble to him as soon as the door was opened. I wasn't expecting to hear him say, "Come in."
I stood frozen in place.
A timid voice sounded from the door. "Isn't it inappropriate?"
Miles frowned and replied, "What are you afraid of? It's not like I'll eat you up. My wife and kid are both home. Don't worry."