Third Person's POV

Haven knew everything but still played along. “Oh, really? Well, she’s at the age to start dating, I suppose. But why would she sound so happy to share news about her pregnancy with you?”

“Happy?” Edmond feigned confusion. “You must’ve misheard. A girl her age would be scared out of her wits if something like that happened.”

His explanation was flimsy, and Haven knew it. But instead of calling him out, she leaned back, her expression calm and trusting. “Maybe I did mishear. Either way, since she called you, perhaps you could check in and see if she needs anything. After all, we’ve sponsored her for so many years. It’s only right to do so.”

Edmond studied Haven’s face intently, ensuring that she still trusted him and harbored no suspicions. Once satisfied, he relaxed, offering her a smile that was almost convincing. “I think it’d be inappropriate for me to meet with her alone. I’ll just have my secretary handle it.”

He looked every bit the devoted husband, as though his relationship with Hattie was purely distant and formal.

But no matter how careful Edmond was, there were always people eager to stir the pot.

That day, while Haven was at the amusement park with Leigh, an all-too-familiar voice cut through the air.

“Hello, Aunt Haven,” Hattie greeted with a bright, calculated smile.

At 27, Haven was only seven years older than the 20-year-old, and the use of “Aunt” was an obvious provocation.

But instead of rising to the bait, Haven’s gaze dropped to Hattie’s stomach. The girl was pushing it out in an exaggerated manner, as though she were further along than she actually was. The sight was absurd, but Hattie seemed quite pleased with her performance.

“What a coincidence, Aunt Haven,” Hattie said, her tone sugary sweet. “I’m meeting the father of my child here today.”

Haven’s eyes didn’t waver, though she felt a flicker of annoyance. Just as she opened her mouth to respond, she spotted Edmond approaching from the other side of the park. His face was thunderous, his steps quick and heavy.

Haven kept her tone neutral. “Oh? I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting him yet. Who is it?”

Hattie smiled provocatively. “You know him well.”

Haven glanced toward Edmond, now only a few steps away, and replied evenly, “Then why don’t you tell me?”

Hattie’s smile grew bolder as she said, “The father of my child is, of course, your—”

Before Hattie could answer, Edmond’s cold voice cut through the tension. “Who is it?”

Hattie’s smirk faltered as she turned to face him. His expression was like ice, and the warmth she sought was nowhere to be found. Still, she placed a hand on her stomach and tried to appear pitiable. “Of course, it’s my boyfriend’s child.”

Edmond’s tone remained curt. “At your age, you should be focusing on your studies. But that’s none of my business. You’re an adult now—handle it yourself.”

Tears welled up in Hattie’s eyes, her voice trembling as she spoke. “But my boyfriend stood me up again today... Can’t you drive me home, Edmond?”

Her words were laced with insinuation, making Edmond tense up. He was terrified Haven would catch on. Keeping his expression cold, he said, “I’m here with my wife and child. Just commute by yourself.”

The dismissal was brutal, and Haven found the entire performance laughable. 'Does he really think I’m that gullible?' she mused.

Ignoring the tearful Hattie, Edmond wrapped his arm around Haven’s waist and spoke softly, “Haven, I’m off work today. The nanny told me you brought Leigh to the amusement park, so I came over right away.”

Haven glanced at Edmond, who looked like a loyal dog wagging its tail, and smiled faintly. “Is that so? Well, since you’re free, why don’t you take Hattie home? She’s pregnant, her boyfriend stood her up, and she seems quite pitiful.”

Edmond froze. The next moment, he looked at Haven with a pitiful expression. “She’s nothing to me. How could you ask me to take another woman home? You know, the passenger seat in my car is only for you, right?”

Out of the corner of her eye, Haven caught Hattie’s face going pale. The sight was so absurd it nearly made her laugh.

Third Person's POV

Couldn't take any more of it, Hattie turned and ran away, her face buried in her hands.

Edmond watched her retreat, his lips pressing into a faint frown. But the expression barely lasted before he smoothed it over, returning to his role as the picture-perfect husband.

Soon, Leigh’s delighted giggle broke the tension. She clutched her father’s hand and beamed up at him. “Daddy! You haven’t come to the amusement park with Mommy and me in so long!”

Edmond crouched down to her level and warmly said, “Daddy’s been busy, sweetheart. But once work slows down, I’ll take you and Mommy on a big trip. Just the three of us.”

Haven stood quietly to the side, her face calm as she listened to his promises. Deep down, her heart was a hollow shell—too battered to be moved by his words.

'There won’t be a chance for that though,' she thought bitterly.

For two long hours, Edmond stayed at the amusement park with his family. But when his phone rang, he immediately left them, using his work again as his reason.

As such, Leigh’s cheerful mood crumbled. She tugged on her mother’s hand with disappointment and poutingly said, “Mommy, Daddy said he’d stay and play with us. Why did he leave again?”

Haven knelt down, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter’s face. “Because, promises are meant to be broken, sweetheart. So, never trust a man’s promises too easily in the future.”

Leigh’s young mind couldn’t quite grasp the weight of her mother’s words, but she nodded anyway. “Okay, Mommy.”

Her innocent obedience made Haven smile despite herself. Leigh was her one solace in this loveless marriage, her greatest blessing.

But that fleeting happiness evaporated when they returned home, and she received another provocative video from Hattie.

In the video, surveillance footage captured Edmond kissing a tearful Hattie, murmuring endearments like “Baby, you’re breaking my heart.”

But Hattie sniffled, glaring at him. “I’m not your baby! You were so mean to me at the amusement park.”

Edmond then pulled an elegant necklace from his pocket and clasped it around her neck. “Take this as an apology, okay? I hate seeing you cry.”

As the video ended, Hattie’s voice messages followed, each one more venomous than the last:

“You’re a good actress, Aunt Haven. Pretending like nothing’s wrong even though you know everything. But then, what else can a housewife like you do but stay silent?”

“Well, I get it. You can’t give up the luxury he provides, so you settle for crumbs, so long as he comes home at night. How pathetic!”

“Do you know how much Edmond and I love each other? He can’t go three days without me. Just last week, he made me wear lace lingerie under a coat and meet him in the car because he couldn’t wait.”

“He said he’s never felt this captivated by anyone before. Tell me, Aunt Haven, was he always so unsatisfied with you? Maybe that’s why he finally discovered what it’s like to be with a real woman—with me.”

After listening to it, Haven stared at the screen with her heart filled with bitter irony.

Edmond had once vowed she’d never face humiliation in their marriage. Yet here she was, drowning in it—all of it served by his hand.

How ironic.

As her thoughts swirled, Edmond, who had been “busy with work” but was actually busy with Hattie, hugged her from behind. “What’s got you so distracted? You didn’t even notice I came home.”

Haven clicked off her phone screen and turned slightly. “I was reading something about infidelity in marriage,” she said, her voice as steady as ever.

As expected, Edmond stiffened for a split second before regaining his composure.

Seemingly oblivious to his reaction, she tilted her head and asked, “Edmond, why do you think wedding vows made at the altar turn into empty words after marriage? Is it because people change, or were they just rotten to begin with?”

Edmond’s expression flickered with unease, but he quickly tightened his embrace around Haven, as if terrified that loosening his grip would make her disappear.