Chapter 3

Walking out of the office building, I took a deep breath.

Lily, you think hiding in the shadows means I can't touch you?

I'll show you what a wife is capable of!

Derek came home very late that evening, reeking of women's perfume.

"Client entertainment. Had a few drinks." He burped. "I'll take a shower first."

While he showered, I went through his phone.

Lily: "Darling, the checkup went great. The doctor said the baby is very healthy!"

Derek's reply: "That's wonderful! My precious! I'll take you shopping for baby supplies tomorrow."

"You're so good to me, darling. I love you!"

"I love you and our baby too. Once he's born, we'll be a real family."

Reading these messages made me nauseous.

They had everything planned out, just waiting for me, the wife, to disappear.

Dream on!

I put the phone back where I found it and plastered an innocent smile on my face.

When Derek came out of the shower, I went up to massage his shoulders.

"You've been working so hard. There really have been a lot of client dinners lately."

He enjoyed my service, a flash of smugness in his eyes. "It's all for our future."

"By the way," I mentioned casually, "I ran into Lily at your office today. The student I used to sponsor, remember? She seems to be pregnant. So young and already having a baby."

Derek's body visibly stiffened. "Is that so? I hadn't noticed."

"She looked pretty far along. Probably four months or so." I continued probing.

"Young people these days don't know how to protect themselves." He fumbled for something to say.

I sneered internally while maintaining a concerned expression. "I hope her boyfriend is responsible. Otherwise, it would be too pitiful."

"He probably will be." Derek was already sweating.

The next day, I had my private investigator continue tracking their movements.

Sure enough, Derek took Lily to an upscale baby boutique where they intimately selected baby items.

In the photos, Derek had one arm around Lily's waist and his other hand on her belly, his gaze tender in a way that reminded me of how he'd looked at me when we first married.

Even worse, they went to a jewelry store and picked out a two-hundred-thousand-dollar diamond ring for Lily.

I saved all these photos as evidence for the divorce.

That afternoon, using shopping as an excuse, I went to the mall where Lily frequently appeared.

I soon spotted her at a café chatting with a friend.

I sat in a corner not far away and listened to their conversation.

"Lily, are you sure about this? He's a married man," her friend said worriedly.

"What does it matter? He doesn't love his wife. He only stays married because her family has money," Lily said dismissively. "He said once I have his son, he'll find an excuse to divorce her."

"But what if he's lying to you?"

"He won't. Look how good he is to me." Lily showed off her hand. "This ring cost two hundred thousand. He bought me a house too. If he weren't serious, would he spend this much money?"

Her friend still seemed concerned. "But if his wife finds out..."

"So what if she does?" Lily smugly touched her belly. "I have his son. That's my trump card. Men all want their own bloodline. He won't abandon us."

"Besides, that woman—three years of marriage and still no kids. I got pregnant right away with a boy. Who do you think he'll choose?"

Hearing this, I nearly lost control on the spot.

Twenty-eight years old made me an old woman in her eyes?

I forced down my rage and kept listening.

"He promised me that once the baby is born, he'll make our relationship public and let me be his wife." Lily looked dreamy. "Then I won't have to answer to anyone anymore."

"Does this Victoria know yet?"

"Probably not. Derek puts on such a good act at home, never slipping up. She still thinks I'm just the student she sponsors. How would she guess I'm pregnant with her husband's child?" Lily laughed smugly. "Even if she knew, so what? I have a son and she doesn't. I'm the winner."

Enough!

I couldn't stand to listen anymore. I got up and left the café.

Outside, I called my father.

"Dad, we can make our move."