Chapter 3

As soon as the words left her mouth, both of their faces turned ugly.

Madeline opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but after glancing at Zachary's mother and Zachary, she held it back.

Zachary raised his hand as if to slap me, but maybe out of guilt, he finally lowered it with a frustrated sigh.

"Don't mind her. She just loves to get jealous. She thinks every woman I talk to is somehow involved with me.

"Not like you, who knows how to be understanding."

I spent three years abroad, taking care of Zachary's mother and son, working hard to support the family.

And now he came back with another woman and a child.

And he still said I was the one who didn't understand.

When I watched the way they were so loving with each other, my heart ached.

Just when I reached the bus stop downstairs, Zachary chased after me.

Before I could even react, he slapped me across the face.

"There were others around earlier, so I spared you.

"But remember this. Madeline is my benefactor. I will never allow anyone to target her."

I covered my face and stared at Zachary, unable to gather myself for a while.

He turned and walked away, not saying another word.

I touched my swollen face, then looked at his well-built figure as he walked away. I swiftly took off the cheap wedding ring from my fourth finger and tossed it into the trash can nearby.

I spent a sleepless night at the hospital.

The next morning, Lucas was scheduled for some tests, and the nurse came to take him.

The nurse noticed my sunken eyes and dark circles and told me to go home and get some rest first.

"Lucas will be fine with us. Don't worry. You've been through so much alone.

"I heard Lucas' dad is coming back. You and your son will finally have a good time."

Tears filled my eyes, but I showed a bitter smile.

I didn't want to respond to the nurse.

Back at home, I found Zachary still asleep.

I changed clothes and lay on the far side of the bed, as far from him as possible.

But somehow, he suddenly pulled me into his arms.

His warm body pressed against mine, his breath brushing against my ear.

"Baby, it's been three years. Did you miss me?"

If it were before, I would have gently turned to him, wrapped my arms around his neck, and told him how much I missed him, silently letting my tears speak for my longing.

But now, all I felt was disgust.

How could he call me his wife while having a child with someone else?

I pulled away from him with all my strength, not saying a word.

He let out a low laugh. "Still angry? It's not what you think. The child is mine, but Madeline and I are just friends.

"She helped me a lot while I was abroad, and I'm very grateful to her."

"So, to repay her, you gave her a child?" I said with disdain. "What century are we living in? You're still making such a sacrifice?"

"What are you talking about? We're really innocent. The child was conceived through IVF. Nothing happened between Madeline and me," his eyes turned red, and his voice was filled with grievance as he looked at me with sincerity.

"Her parents are never around, and she's been living alone. It's lonely and hard, so I agreed to donate sperm.

"Nina, I swear I never betrayed you."

The sincerity in his voice reminded me of when we first started dating.

"Nina, I will love you and protect you forever."

But it had only been five years of marriage, and everything had already changed.

What kind of woman would agree to have a child for a man?

I didn't believe that Zachary didn't understand.

Maybe he was just pretending not to understand.

He and Madeline were testing my limits.

I closed my eyes, and Lucas' cute smile flashed in my mind.

I sighed.

"Zachary, let's get a divorce."

Zachary's face twisted with disbelief as he yelled angrily.

He shook my shoulders roughly.

"What right do you have to talk about divorce? Don't forget. It was my parents who adopted you. If not for them, who knows where you'd be now!

"You married me out of gratitude to my parents, so why can't I give Madeline a child out of gratitude to her?

"I've told you, it was IVF. There was nothing more to it. Can't you stop being so petty?

"People with a dark heart really see dirt in everything!"

As I looked at the man in front of me, his face contorted with rage, I felt so unfamiliar with him.

Zachary was practically ranting, his words coming in quick succession.

But I felt nothing.

After all, I had heard these words countless times before.

What I couldn't understand was why I ever agreed to marry him in the first place.

And I couldn't understand why his views were so completely unreasonable!

He even thought it was my fault for not being able to accept this!