Chapter 3

That day I developed a high fever and ended up in the hospital.

The doctor called Derek a dozen times. He didn't answer any of them.

I called my lawyer Marcus to the hospital. Seeing my condition, he was shocked.

"How did you end up like this? Is a man worth this?"

I shook my head mockingly.

"Not worth it. Is it too late to regret now?"

Marcus sighed and took out his notebook from his bag.

"I know no matter how much I tried to persuade you before, it was useless. You had to figure it out yourself before you'd turn back..."

I showed Marcus the photos of Derek and Bella kissing.

Marcus frowned.

"Why does this homewrecker look so much like you?"

Actually, he wasn't the only one. The first time I met Bella, I thought she looked somewhat like me too.

But none of that mattered anymore.

I'd been married to Derek for five years. The first few years, we had a great relationship and were very much in love.

But everything changed after Bella joined the company as Derek's secretary.

Derek and she were inseparable. They even shared hotel rooms on business trips.

I told him countless times, but he kept crossing my boundaries.

He would even go to Bella after fighting with me.

My patience and communication became unreasonable trouble in his eyes.

Gradually, I got tired.

I became numb.

"Claire, I'll help you get back what belongs to you."

Marcus's words pulled me back from my thoughts.

I nodded. "I'm counting on you for the divorce papers."

On the day of the company's fifth anniversary gala.

I entered the venue in a black mermaid dress, immediately becoming the center of attention under the spotlight.

"Didn't they say Mr. Derek's wife was fat? I don't think she's fat at all!"

"Exactly! Who spread that rumor? That hourglass figure is what I dream of having!"

"Those waves, that black lace... total bombshell!"

"I heard it was Derek's secretary Bella who said it. We don't really know..."

The company employees were buzzing with gossip.

I walked forward without looking sideways, a faint smile on my lips.

When Bella saw me, she dropped her glass. It shattered on the floor.

"Bella, what's wrong..."

Derek was about to speak when his eyes fell on me. His pupils dilated in shock.

Derek was so stunned he couldn't speak. He stared at me blankly.

In that moment, I saw in his eyes the same passionate devotion from five years ago.

Bella snapped back to reality and quickly stood in front of Derek, blocking his view.

"Derek, I'm not feeling well. Can you help me..."

Before she could finish, Derek pushed her aside.

Derek walked up to me:

"Claire, uh no, honey, you look so beautiful tonight..."

Bella grabbed Derek's hand stubbornly.

"Derek, my chest really hurts. Don't believe me? Feel it."

She tried to put Derek's hand on her chest. Derek pulled away awkwardly. "No."

I ignored them both and walked straight to the stage.

Bella shouted from below:

"Claire, today is the company's fifth anniversary gala. That's not your place to stand!"

I laughed softly.

"Should I come down so you can stand there?"

Laughter erupted from below.

I added: "Would that be appropriate?"

The laughter grew louder.

Bella's face turned red with humiliation. She wanted to crawl into a hole.

Derek came up on stage, took my hand, and proudly introduced me to everyone.

"Claire, my beloved wife."

Amid the enthusiastic applause, I smiled slightly and spoke into the microphone:

"Not for much longer."

Derek froze, thinking he'd heard wrong. "What?"