Divorce After Betrayal

In the seventh year of our marriage, around Thanksgiving, my husband still refused to introduce me to his family. Each time I brought it up, he would smile and say:

“Times are different now, darling. People like to maintain personal boundaries.”

“You married me, not my family.”

“Marriage is just between the two of us, as long as we love each other, that’s all that matters.”

“Besides, you don't need to meet my parents, and I won’t meet yours; wouldn’t it be better to keep our families separate?”

His words sounded so reasonable that I never doubted him. Until the next day, when my mom asked me to attend my cousin's son’s birthday party—a cousin I hadn’t seen in seven years—and there I saw my husband playing joyously with a little boy who looked alarmingly similar to him.

My breath caught, and I shakily pulled my aunt Vivienne aside, asking:

“Is that Cecelia's husband? And the little boy, is he their son?”

Aunt Vivienne chuckled warmly, “Yes! They've been together for six years.”

“It’s just that they were living abroad all this time. I hear they’re back to get their marriage license.”

"You should go say hi to your cousin and her husband.”

Across the room, I caught Phillip Daniels’ gaze; he froze on the spot. The next instant, Cecelia came over, her arm linked through his, with a smile that greeted my shocked expression.

“You must be Jemma Price, right? It's been ages!”

“This is my husband.”

A flicker of discomfort crossed Phillip’s face, but he stayed silent.

A ringing filled my ears, my mind went blank.

The room buzzed with noise, but I couldn’t hear a thing.

Cecelia Fischer smiled softly, but I could clearly see the mockery in her eyes, as if she was ridiculing me for my ignorance.

Seeing I remained silent, she asked with concern:

“You don’t look well. Are you feeling okay? Would you like to go inside and rest?”

“Phillip, you don’t mind, do you?” she coaxed him, clutching his arm.

With a small gesture, he tweaked her nose lightly and replied tenderly:

“You’ve asked, how could I refuse?”

Watching their intimate exchange, I wanted to confront Phillip Daniels, yet no words came out.

The man who just yesterday told me he was on a business trip was now at my cousin’s son's birthday party, and he was her husband.

And they had a six-year-old son.

So what was I then?

For seven years, I had been thoroughly deceived.

No wonder Phillip went on business trips every month, often for more than half the month.

No wonder he always found reasons to avoid meeting my relatives.

Turns out he was hiding something on the side.

All those reassurances were just a cover.

Suppressing a tide of emotions, I lifted my head and stared at Phillip Daniels, hoping he would offer an explanation.

He only glanced at me coldly, saying, “Miss Price, if you’re feeling unwell, you should rest.”

“Otherwise, if something happens, we won’t have time to take you to the hospital.”

My heart felt as if it was being ripped apart, the pain making my eyes sting.

Cecelia glanced between Phillip and me, her brows lightly furrowed.

“What’s going on? Do you two... know each other?”

Phillip promptly replied, “No.”

His quick denial made my mouth twist into a bitter smile.

Nearby, the little boy ran over, clinging to Phillip's leg.

Looking up, he said, “Daddy, can you play with me?”

“Mommy has a baby sister in her tummy, so she can’t play with me anymore.”

Phillip stiffened, instinctively glancing at me.

For just a second before he turned away, bending down to pat the boy's head.

“Alright, Daddy will play with Jackson.”

Jackson gleefully bounced up and turned to Cecelia, “Mommy, can you come too?”

Cecelia laughed. “Okay.”

I felt completely numb.

Jackson led Phillip away, leaving Cecelia and me alone.

She dropped her pretense, savoring the sight of my pallor with satisfaction.

Caressing her belly, she said, “Did you know? Ever since I went abroad, Phillip would fly over every month and rent the apartment next to mine, just to take care of me.”

“Even back then, when we weren't married.”

“You two have been married all this time, and you don’t have any children, right? He told me his children would only come from my belly. Any from another woman... he wouldn't recognize.”

“Dear cousin, sometimes it’s better to have some self-awareness.”

She leaned closer with a smile, “Don’t you agree, Jemma?”

I was frozen in place.

Ever since we got married, Phillip always insisted on using protection.

Whenever I expressed my desire to have children, he said the timing wasn’t right, that we should wait.

But now, he had a child.

And it wasn’t with me.

From a short distance away, Jackson turned and waved over.

“Mommy, come on!”

With a smile, Cecelia answered and went to Phillip, falling into his embrace.

Phillip held her, murmuring something to her. Cecelia coyly hugged him in return.

Watching their small family, despite the heat of summer, I felt like I was caught in a snowstorm.