I’m Not Your Second Choice

Terrance Burgess slapped me in front of the entire company, all because I accidentally knocked over his assistant's vase.

My five-year-old son, Claude Burgess, stood off to the side, clapping like it was something worth cheering for.

Afterward, the assistant walked up to me while holding the bouquet the father and son had given her, showing it off right in my face.

"So what if you're the wife? The one who isn't loved is the real outsider."

I looked at her calmly. "Then you'd better watch yourself. If he can have you on the side, he can just as easily find someone else after you."

I used to think I had a happy, complete family.

Until Terrance's assistant came along and made me realize it had all been in my head. The love from that father and son had already moved on to someone else.

That was the moment something in me went completely still. I called a number I hadn't contacted in years.

"Dad, I want to come home and take over the family business."

[I booked you a red-eye flight. Keep an eye on the time.]

Ten minutes after I told my father I was going back to take over the family business, I got that message.

I had been playing the role of an ordinary person in front of the Burgesses for far too long. It was time to go back and inherit what was mine.

Just as I was about to reply, Terrance Burgess and Claude Burgess suddenly showed up behind me, leaning in to peek at my phone.

"A flight? What flight?" Terrance only caught the last few words and frowned. "Are you going back home?"

I gave a small nod. I didn't feel like lying to them.

"Yeah, right. Grandpa and Grandma are dirt poor. Why would you go back?"

Claude crossed his arms, his tone dripping with disdain.

"You're just mad that Dad hit you earlier, and you're trying to make a scene for us. You smashed Stephanie's favorite vase. Of course, he hit you. What did you expect?

"Stephanie's already being nice about it and letting it go. If it were anyone else with her family's power, you wouldn't even last a day in this city. You should hurry up, take her out to dinner, and apologize properly."

Claude had no idea who I really was. There was no way Stephanie Blunt could ever come close to my family's background.

Back when I first got together with Terrance, I hid my identity so I wouldn't bruise his pride. I stayed by his side as just another ordinary woman.

Later, when he started his business and grew it into something big, my parents had been quietly supporting him every step of the way.

I had planned to come clean next week.

Now, there was no need. I was leaving anyway.

Before I could respond, Terrance spoke up and shut Claude down.

"She can apologize to Stephanie another day. We're celebrating her birthday today. We don't have time for that."

He had forgotten. Today was also our wedding anniversary.

Every year before this, the two of them would carefully prepare gifts and decorations, always finding new ways to surprise me.

But ever since Stephanie showed up, that day had disappeared from their memory.

If it were before, I would've reminded them.

But I was leaving now. It didn't matter anymore.

"Dad, let's go. Don't keep Stephanie waiting," Claude urged, tugging on Terrance's hand as they hurried out.

After I made sure they were really gone, I contacted the divorce lawyer my father had recommended.

Back then, my parents hadn't approved of my marriage to Terrance. They thought he wasn't good enough for me. But I was deep in love, and at the time, he truly treated me like I was everything. So I ignored their objections and built a life with him anyway.

I never expected that just six years later, everything would fall apart like this.

Thankfully, my parents didn't hold it against me. They still wanted me to come home.

My nose stung, and I quickly finished going through the process with the lawyer.

Since I was in a rush, we agreed on a digital divorce agreement so I could sign it before boarding.

Just as I was about to put my phone down, Stephanie suddenly sent me a video.

In it, she wore a custom-made gown Terrance had arranged just for her, a crown resting on her head. Surrounded by people, she looked like a queen at the center of it all.

Claude sat in her arms. When the atmosphere peaked, he cupped her face and kissed her. Terrance stood beside them, watching with a soft, indulgent smile.

At a glance, they looked like a perfect family of three.

I watched Stephanie's smile and, for a moment, saw my old self. Back then, Claude would curl up in my arms, begging for bedtime stories, then give me a satisfied goodnight kiss.

And every time, Terrance would lean in, jealous, and ask me to kiss him on both cheeks, no exceptions.

I never imagined their love wasn't mine alone. Now, it belonged to someone else.

My chest tightened. With trembling fingers, I typed out "Wish you a happy life together" and sent it.

The next second, Terrance called. What greeted me was a sharp scolding.

"Vivian, are you done yet? So what if I didn't spend the anniversary with you? Did you really have to take it out on Stephanie? Missing one anniversary isn't going to kill you!"

So he did remember.

From the other end of the line came Stephanie's soft sobs, sounding as if she had suffered some terrible injustice.

"Terrance, don't yell at her. It's my fault. I shouldn't have sent her the video. I just felt so loved by you and Claude, and I wanted to share that happiness with her. I didn't think she'd be so petty, getting mad over something like this, and even calling me a shameless homewrecker…"

I laughed. I hadn't expected Stephanie to be this bold and calculating.

Terrance kept going, scolding me without caring what really happened. I hung up and started packing.

There were three hours left before my flight. I wasn't wasting another second on them.

Halfway through, the lawyer sent over the digital agreement, saying Terrance had received his copy as well.

Just as I finished signing my name, someone knocked on the door.

Terrance's anxious voice came through.

"Vivian, open the door!"