Fractured Trust, Reawakened Affection

"Finally made up your mind, huh?"

With her smoky eye makeup and mocking grin, the woman in front of me eyed me curiously. I nodded, feeling a little embarrassed.

Seeing my reaction, her temper flared. "Look at you, all meek and pathetic. When you caught him cheating, you should’ve called me immediately. I would’ve torn him apart!"

"All these years, he’s been spending your money, using your connections and still had the nerve to find other women. I can’t believe you held out this long!"

I told her how I replaced the lubricant with super glue. Catherine Bellamy burst into loud, shameless laughter, catching the attention of other diners around us.

She lowered her voice, still grinning. "That’s brilliant! But aren’t you worried Ethan will report you to the police?"

I shrugged, "Let him. I’m just a housewife cleaning the house and I got confused about the bottles. How was I supposed to know I poured the wrong one?"

Catherine doubled over, laughing into her hands. "Now that’s the real you! I never understood why you, a rich girl, wasted your time playing the perfect wife. Glad to see you’ve come to your senses."

I nodded, "I've already contacted Mr. William to file for divorce. I have video evidence of their affair. He’s the one in the wrong here. I will ensure he walks out with nothing and returns everything he took from my family!"

Catherine shook her head, not seeming so optimistic, "That’s not going to be easy. Remember, you gave him full control of the company you built and stepped back. That’s not going to help you now. As long as Pinnacle Harvest is still in Ethan’s hands, even if you win the divorce, it won't matter."

Thinking of this, I wished I could slap my past self. How could I have loved him so much that I gave him my entire company?

Catherine tried to comfort me, " But still, congrats on seeing him for what he really is. Better late than never, right?"

I smiled back, feeling grateful, "Thank you, but..."

"I need your help with something."

***

Back home, I noticed a missed call from an unknown number. I hesitated, then dialed it back.

The voice on the other end was cold, "You know who I am, don’t you?"

It was such a cliché line, like something out of a soap drama.

I replied, "Who are you?"

"I'm the mistress."

Her calmness made my heart race. She continued, not waiting for me to say anything, "Evelyn Whitmore, Ethan doesn't love you at all. You’ve trapped him in this marriage. If you still feel a bit guilty, divorce him and give him freedom."

I was stunned, "So I’m supposed to step aside for your tragic love story?"

"We made promises to each other! I washed Ethan’s clothes when he was drunk, cleaned his house in the suburbs and cooked his favorite spicy chicken. I'm only twenty, young and beautiful. What do you have to compare with me? He said he has no feelings for you and didn't divorce you out of pity."

She grew more agitated as she said, "You don't deserve Ethan. He is a charming, successful CEO and you’re just a rough cook stuck in the kitchen. You’re holding him back from finding someone better!"

I couldn’t help but retort, “You’re not the ‘better person’ he’s looking for, are you?” I added, "Sweetheart, that super glue should have sealed your other mouth."

She screamed in anger, "You!"

I rolled my eyes, "By the way, I recorded the call. You know this is evidence, right?"

"Beep beep beep—"

The call ended abruptly. She hung up.

The mistress was making a scene... I sighed, pressing my forehead. Ethan, you really know how to surprise me. But sweetheart, is your love story as epic as you claim?