After Husband's Affair

Apparently, Nikolas had changed long ago, and I was just fooling myself.

From a young age, trauma instilled in me that my initial reaction to any hardship was to run away.

"I want a divorce."

I said calmly, my voice void of emotion.

"I know getting a divorce now is complicated, but I refuse to let some young woman ruin a decade of my life."

Laney paused on the phone for a moment, then cautiously asked, "Natalia, are you really okay?"

How could I be? Yet what's done is done, and I'll protect myself, just as I did when I was a kid.

"Don't worry, I'm not some lovestruck fool."

Laney chuckled a bit, then firmly reassured me, "I'll definitely help you!"

I drove to the hotel. Laney sent me a text with the location: "The girl's family is having a gathering today, and Nikolas is there."

Following the room number she gave me, I peeked through the glass door and saw Nikolas bending down to help the girl adjust her dress like he was the host.

The girl had pigtails and wore a cocktail dress, with Nikolas's jacket draped over her shoulders.

She pouted and complained, "It's all your fault! I haven't slept well these past two days, and now I have dark circles under my eyes!"

Nikolas chuckled and pinched her cheek. "I'll send you ten thousand dollars later to buy a full set of skincare products."

I clutched my purse strap tightly and watched Nikolas take out an envelope from his briefcase.

"This is the purchase agreement for the villa near your college. It'll be yours once you start university."

"You're my precious little jewel. I'll make sure everything's set for you, don't worry."

The girl squealed with joy and jumped into Nikolas's arms. He caught her effortlessly, his gaze so tender it was overwhelming.

It reminded me of when we bought our first home—Nikolas held me the same way.

In the vacant house, he pointed out the window and said, "Natalia, we've made it through."

"The future will only get better. We have a lifetime to journey together."

"When we have kids, we'll move to a neighborhood with the best schools. Natalia, I'm genuinely happy!"

That night, he repeatedly told me he loved me.

So gentle.

Through the years, our relationship never faltered.

Even last month, when I faced a plane malfunction on a business trip, Nikolas booked a ticket overnight to come find me, his voice shaky over the phone.

"Natalia, if something happened to you, what reason would I have to live?"

"Wait for me, I'm coming right away!"

How could the Nikolas who loved me like that now hold someone else so dear?

I fought back the bitterness in my heart and watched as he slipped a bank card into the girl's pocket.

"I've got the engagement money ready, but you must promise me you'll stay in school."

She stood on tiptoe to kiss his chin. "Got it, Uncle! But..."

She suddenly asked, "What about that old woman? How are you planning to deal with her?"

"I don't like her. She's old, overweight, and a workaholic!"

"Plus, I don't want to be the other woman. Uncle is mine alone; she's the intruder!"

Hearing the girl's voice take on a whining tone made Nikolas feel extremely sympathetic.

He quickly pulled her into his arms for comfort. "Don't cry, sweetheart. I'll handle it."

"I'll tell her everything."

"I love you."

The weight that had been held in my heart came crashing down.

Like a plane flying high suddenly losing power and plummeting.

I stood in the shadowed hallway, saved all the evidence, and went to the bank to retrieve all the transaction records.

Then, I called Nikolas.

It rang seven or eight times before he picked up, the background noise filled with the girl's playful "Who is it?"

Nikolas deliberately muffled the receiver and lowered his voice, full of irritation, "I'm in a meeting, can we talk later?"

Ignoring him, I said, "Nikolas, we need to talk."

"Either now, or tomorrow with my lawyer."

He was silent for a few seconds, then his tone suddenly turned gentle. "Don't be difficult, honey, it's an important client."

I knew Nikolas well.

And he knew me.

I'm detail-oriented by nature.

When his young assistant once gave him an extra glance, I managed to deduce what she was thinking.

The next day, Nikolas had her transferred to another branch.

He had once cupped my face and said, "Your eyes are too sharp. How could I dare fool around?"

"I'll give you all the security you need."

But now, watching his hand serve ravioli to the girl in the private room, our wedding ring long gone.

"Nikolas."

I murmured softly.

"You know I can't tolerate lies."

There was a sudden silence on the other end of the phone.

He was about to speak when the girl's sugary voice interrupted, "Uncle~ My parents are waiting for you."

Nikolas quickly replied:

"Natalia, there's an urgent matter at the office. I'll call you back."

Then he abruptly hung up the phone.

The dialing tone felt like a slap. When I tried calling back, his phone was already off.

Laney sent me a real-time screenshot:

"Seems like Nikolas has already won over the girl's parents, whether with money or other means."

"They're having a celebration for her college admission early next month."

"Looks like by then, Nikolas will have secured his place as the beloved son-in-law."

The last bit of hesitation in my heart shattered.

I told my friend to proceed with our plan.

If before today I was wavering about our relationship, now Nikolas's actions had made the decision for me.