Chapter 1

In the sixth year of my concealed marriage with Elaine, we decided to quietly part ways. He wanted to protect his young girlfriend from being labeled as a homewrecker. He said, "I want no one to know we were ever married." I nodded silently and added an extra zero during the property division. Elaine's expression shifted.

"Is money all that matters to you?" he questioned.

I laughed softly. "After all these years, you know me best."

Elaine ended up in the hospital from drinking too much. A nurse asked, "Who is the patient's family?"

Lily and I both stood up. "I am."

"It's me."

The nurse frowned. "Who really is it?"

Lily quickly stepped forward. "It's me. Tell me whatever is needed." The nurse explained the night care instructions, and Lily listened carefully. I glanced at Elaine. His breathing was labored, his brow furrowed, and the corners of his eyes were red, yet his lips were pale and bloodless. It had been years since I'd seen him like this.

Alcohol tolerance can be developed, but it also depends on one's constitution. Elaine, unfortunately, is allergic to alcohol. Lily, with tears in her eyes, warmed his hands. For a mistress to go to such lengths, it's quite awkward for me, his lawful wife. I hesitated whether to leave when she spoke.

"It's all my fault. If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have drunk so much." My assistant had already briefed me before I came. At the banquet, someone flirted with Lily and tried to drink with her, but Elaine intervened. The person mocked, "A man who won't drink? You might as well be with me."

Elaine had long outgrown reckless behavior, but that night he lost control and started drinking heavily. Those who know Elaine understand he can't handle liquor. But if he decides to drink his life away with you, you might not keep up with him.

In his youth, such recklessness had landed him in the hospital several times. The last time was in the second year of our marriage. He was in the hospital vomiting blood while I got into a car accident on the highway. After that, he changed.

Lily asked, "Leader Demi, did he protect you like this before too?"

I was at a loss for words. "You take care of him; I'm heading back."

"Leader Demi." Lily's voice was urgent. She bit her lip as if making a decision. "I told Elaine I want to get married, and he agreed."