I Chose Divorce After His Surgery

"Willow, I… I can explain."

"All right." I put my phone away and went to sit on the sofa while looking nonchalantly at him. "Go ahead."

Chuck's explanation was filled with loopholes. One would say that it was the year's worst crisis management attempt. He told me that Candice was his distant cousin, and it had not been easy for her to bring up her son after her husband's passing. Chuck took extra care of her out of sympathy.

He went on to explain that the photos only made them seem intimate because of the angle of the photos. Chuck had been dragged into the photo because the kid wanted him in it. He went on to declare that I was the only one he loved, but that he kept this from me for fear that it would cause a misunderstanding.

Chuck observed my expression while explaining, and he started to sweat profusely.

I listened quietly without interrupting him. When he was done, I said slowly, "Cousin?" I stood up and went over to Chuck, gently touching the collar of his shirt to straighten it. "We've been married for 10 years, Chuck. Why haven't you mentioned your cousin, Candice, all this time?"

Chuck gulped. "That's because she… She's a distant cousin, and we haven't been in touch for years. It's only two years ago that we started…"

"Is that so?" I interrupted him. "Why does your cousin's son look so much like you?" I leaned in close, saying it right into his ear in a voice low enough for only both of us to hear. "Even that mole on his eyebrow is in the exact same spot as yours."

Chuck's body stiffened while I stepped away from him to admire the fear in his eyes with a smile. "Do you think I'm stupid, Chuck?"

He finally ceased the pretense and went down on his knees before me with a plop. Chuck grabbed my hand as tears streamed down his face with his snot. "I made a mistake, honey! I'm a horrible person! Please forgive me just this once. I promise to break it off with her. I'll make sure it's a clean break, and I won't see her again!

"I was being stupid! You're the only woman I love. We've been together for 10 years, honey. Please give me a chance on account of our time together." He cried hysterically and with regret.

If I had not found out that he purchased a 5 million trust for Candice's son last month, I might have forgiven him. I pulled my hand away and looked down at him."How are you going to have a clean break? Do you want your son to be without a father? Or do you plan for your mistress to lose her financial backer?"

Chuck turned pale and started to ramble, "No… I…"

"Let's get divorced, Chuck," I said calmly.

His head jerked up to look at me with disbelief. "No! I won't agree to it. I don't want a divorce!"

"It's not your choice to make." I gave him the divorce papers I had prepared. "I've already signed them. We'll each get half of our assets. I'll get the house, and you can have the car. The company has always been yours, even before we were married, so you can have it back."

Chuck looked incredibly upset while starting at the divorce papers, and he shook his head vigorously. "No, you can't do this to me, Willow. You had a part in building our company too! We can't get divorced!"

He grabbed the leg of my pants and refused to let go.

I know what he was really afraid of. He was not afraid of losing me, but what I could give him if I were still with him. His company was at a critical stage of getting a new round of investment, and the main investor was someone I had connected with through my long-term contacts.

If his persona as the perfect husband faltered at this time, it would affect his reputation in the industry. He could not afford to lose a good wife like me at such an important moment.

"Listen to me, Willow. That child… He's not…"

"Not what?" I looked at him coldly. "Not your son?"