Chapter 1 A painful decision
VERONICA
On the day of our fifth wedding anniversary, my husband Christian’s unforgettable ex-girlfriend appeared, with her bright and seductive aura that perhaps melted my husband’s indifferent heart.
I, the third wheel in their lives, watched them enjoying a romantic candlelight dinner—something that had never happened in the five years of our marriage.
Worse still, my four-year-old son, Zeon, was part of this happy picture.
Zeon hadn’t been close to me for the last two years, yet there he was, joyfully smiling at his father’s ex-lover when Celine leaned forward to wipe cream from the corner of his mouth.
“Zeon, who do you like more? Mommy or me?” she asked.
“Aunt Celine!” my little boy replied cheerfully, without hesitation.
My heart bled at his response as I clutched the brown envelope in my hand—the pregnancy report I had just received was inside.
My marriage with Christian had been arranged by our grandparents when I was still a baby. As a result, we didn’t meet until the engagement party.
I never planned to rush into marriage, but when his grandfather called it his last wish, I couldn’t say no. Christian had just taken over the Vice Chairman position of Wolfe Empire when we married.
He was so busy, and to support his career, I gave up my own ambitions and became a full-time housewife.
We never dated, and the only moments of passion we shared were during sex.
After Zeon was born, we were intimate only once or twice a month. Then, two years ago, he suddenly stopped touching me altogether, as if I no longer existed.
His family also began to keep me from caring for Zeon personally. They claimed that, as the heir, Zeon needed a proper elite education—something I supposedly couldn’t provide, especially after my family had gone bankrupt years ago.
And my husband? He never voiced an opinion.
I once tried to discuss things with Christian, but he was always at the company, and I was never allowed to visit him there. My identity as his wife was never made public.
The anxiety of being separated from my son was enough to drive me insane. Just when I was about to break the rules, Christian suddenly appeared in our bedroom two months ago.
I didn’t even have time to speak before he pinned me down eagerly. We had sex again, and I took it as a good sign. But he left on a business trip before I woke up the next morning.
I had planned to talk to him when he returned. I was ready for anything—until I saw the positive result on my pregnancy test this morning. I thought it was a second chance from God.
So, I ordered a cake from Christian and Zeon’s favorite restaurant, planning a surprise for our fifth anniversary.
Instead, I received a surprise first. My heart shattered as I watched Zeon kiss Celine on the cheek.
How long had it been since he last kissed me like that? When did he become so close to her? Had they been keeping me away from Zeon because they’d already found him a new mother?
Anger rose in my chest. Just as I was about to confront them, Celine asked another question.
“Would you like to live with Aunt Celine, sweet Zeon?”
Her voice was sugary sweet but struck me like a spell straight from hell.
The world around me fell silent as Zeon raised his hands excitedly, his head tilted in thought. His answer was coming, and I suddenly lacked the courage to hear it.
It was too cruel. No mother should face the pain of her child not wanting her.
“Hey, watch out!” a sharp voice snapped me out of my thoughts as I bumped into someone. Dazed, I saw a waitress holding a ruined cake, cream now smeared on my dress.
“Oh, I—I’m so sorry!” I exclaimed.
The waitress looked irritated. “Couldn’t you watch where you were going?” she snapped. “Do you know whose cake this was? It was for Christian Wolfe! You’ve ruined his wife’s cake!”
Wait a minute—his *wife*?
I stared at the young woman, shocked. Christian Wolfe’s wife? Could it be... that he ordered the cake for *me*?
Then came the final blow, chilling me to the bone.
“Oh no, what am I going to do? It was for her birthday!” she lamented, her eyes glaring at me.
So it was for Celine?
Tears welled up in my eyes. For five years, Christian had never publicly acknowledged me as his wife—yet now he was celebrating *her* birthday.
Something inside me cracked.
I swallowed hard and clenched the hem of my dress, thinking about confronting him in front of everyone.
But before I could act, a strong hand grabbed my arm. In a flash, I was dragged into a corner and shoved against the wall.
Instinctively, I placed my hands over my belly. My heart pounded as I looked up and met the cold eyes of Diana Sparkles, my mother-in-law.
She’s here too? Of course.
“What are you doing here?” she hissed. “Why are you constantly interfering in my son’s life?” Her eyes brimmed with disdain.
“Interfering?” I stared in disbelief. “Christian is my *legal husband*!” I snapped, my patience unraveling.
“Husband?” she scoffed. “What right do you have to call him that? What have you ever given him except a child?” She looked me up and down. “You’re not even presentable!”
“Now look at Celine,” she continued. “She’s well-educated, from a good family, with impeccable taste—unlike you.”
Her words sliced through me, leaving me numb. But I refused to be silenced. Not this time.
I met her gaze firmly. “But at the end of the day, he’s still my husband. You have no right to stop me.”
Her expression twisted. “My dear, I’m deeply disappointed.” She stepped closer, eyes sharp. “You *say* you’re his wife, but does *he* see you that way?”
Her question silenced me.
She chuckled coldly. “The marriage only happened because of his grandfather. You were merely a means to an end—to secure his inheritance. But I, as a mother, know what’s truly best for my son. That’s Celine. Even Zeon knows who should be his real mother.”
Her words cut like a whip, stinging deep into my soul.
She leaned in, her voice low. “Stop interfering in my son’s life. Let him live freely. Otherwise...” She cast me a final, threatening glare before walking away, proud and unbothered.
A shaky breath escaped me as I leaned against the cold wall.
Even if I wanted to fight back, I couldn’t. She was right.
Who was I fighting for?
The man I loved didn’t love me. My place in his life was more pitiful than a servant’s.
With pain coursing through my veins, I walked out of the restaurant and returned home with a heavy heart. Inside the massive mansion, I felt only emptiness. This wasn’t a home—it was a palace built from money and loneliness.
That evening, Christian finally came back. I watched him gently carry Zeon, asleep in his arms, to his room, then head to our bedroom. I followed and watched as he began undressing.
Everything blurred—his coldness, his love for another woman, Diana’s threats, Zeon’s distance. My vision swam.
It was only a matter of time before he threw divorce papers in my face.
“What are you staring at?”
His voice startled me. Cold and sharp. Harshly pulled me back to reality.
I looked up, meeting his blank gaze.
Before I could stop myself, I said it. The words I least expected.
“Let’s get divorced.”
A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes, quickly vanishing. He turned to the mirror and continued undressing.
“If you’re bored, go find a job,” he said flatly.
A bitter smile tugged at my lips. So that’s what he thought—I was just *bored*.
He stepped toward the shower, but paused when I spoke again.
“I-I’m serious. I want a divorce.”
He glanced over his shoulder, disapproving.
“I don’t have time for this,” he said coldly. “If you want a divorce, fine. But don’t you *ever* try to see Zeon again.”
Then he shut the bathroom door with a loud bang.
His words sent a chill down my spine, filling my heart with a cold dread. My hand went instinctively to my belly.
What would happen to this child? What if Christian separated us too, like he did with Zeon?
The thought alone made me sick.
No! I couldn’t bear to lose another child!
I had to leave before anyone discovered my pregnancy.
That night, I didn’t sleep. Alone in our enormous bed, I lay awake. Christian had left again—probably to see Celine.
Pain stabbed through me as I sat up. I took a deep breath and shakily reached for my phone, calling my best friend and advocate.
After a few rings, he picked up. “Vero? This late? Is everything okay?“His voice filled with concern.
I swallowed hard. “I... I need a favor from you...”
***
A few days later---
I stared blankly at the divorce papers, my heart heavy with pain.
After much thought, my fear of losing my mind—and my second child—ultimately outweighed my boundless love for Zeon.
Though it tore me apart, I had no other choice. Christian had pushed me to this point.
That evening, I left him a note.
*Let’s separate, Christian. I’ve signed the divorce papers and left them for you. You’re free from today onward.*
I placed the note and my wedding ring on his bedside table.
I took the pregnancy report and all the savings I had from before the marriage.
After one last look at our bedroom, I walked into Zeon’s room.
I left another note for him.
*Forgive Mommy, my sweet child. Maybe one day, you’ll understand what I did tonight.*
I stepped into his closet and gently touched his small clothes, overwhelmed with remorse.
My heart broke as I left him behind, yet I was helpless. I didn’t know if I’d ever see him again.
But my son—I would always love you. And always regret this goodbye.
Wiping my tears, I took a photo of him from the album.
And with one final breath, I walked out of the mansion without looking back.
I hoped never to see Christian again.
And I prayed that one day, my son would forgive me.
