Tonight is the once-a-month marital session between me and Timothy Xavier.
I accidentally let out a faint moan.
Timothy’s cold eyes no longer had any hint of desire.
"Zoe Ellison, you’ve broken the rule."
He swiftly withdrew, put on a robe, and walked toward the bathroom.
Left on the bed, I closed my eyes in shame and humiliation.
Everything changed three years ago after our first child passed away.
At that time, Timothy used "praying for the child" as an excuse to build a Buddha hall in the villa, with incense burning year-round in dedication to Buddha.
He said that believers in Buddhism should abstain from lust, and that married life should be limited to once a month.
Moreover, we must not make indecent noises during intimacy, to avoid offending the holy presence.
Even though I’m only 25, with needs of my own, I could only go along with his decision.
...
Timothy left home in the middle of the night.
Soon after, I received a call from my best friend.
Jenna Sutton’s voice was urgently pleading: "Zoe, check the trending searches! Why does Serena Sawyer’s exposed sponsor look so much like Timothy?"
As I clicked into the trending topic, my head buzzed, exploding.
"Breaking News! Rising starlet Serena Sawyer suspected of relying on a sponsor for her success! Sponsor’s identity currently uncertain, awaiting revelation!"
Although the photo only showed a blurred back figure, how could I not recognize my own husband?
That right hand, never without Buddhist Beads, was now wrapped around Serena’s slender waist as they entered a hotel together.
Just then, two anonymous emails popped up on my phone.
A flood of high-resolution photos filled my vision.
The first photo showed Timothy kneeling on one knee cradling a porcelain doll-like little girl in his arms, as the child in a frilly dress wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
The second photo showed Serena reaching to brush dust off his shoulder, and he didn’t coldly dodge as he did with me, but instead indulgently curled his lips.
...
Dozens of photos finally made me understand that the growing distance in the last three years wasn’t due to religious devotion.
It was because he had been unfaithful.
The nails on my fingers dug into my palms, and I took deep breaths, forcing myself to calmly open the second email.
It was a line of text:
"Mrs. Xavier, choose exposure or buyout for ten million?"
"Ten million, buyout."
I replied, then used all the assets in my bank account to buy out the photos that could ruin my husband’s and mistress’s reputations.
Ironically, this money was actually a dowry Timothy gave me when we got married.
And now, it’s used to buy evidence of his marital betrayal.
I repeatedly looked at the girl in the photos.
If our child hadn’t died, she would have been around the same age.
Regrettably, I never even saw that child, who became a handful of ashes in a tiny box.
Back then, I was in unbearable grief, only to hear his light remark: "There will be more children."
Now I know, there won’t be any more!
After buying out the photos, I called Jenna Sutton: "Do you know a lawyer? I want a divorce."
Since the man is tainted, he’s not needed.
Jenna made some inquiries and called me back.
The lawyer drafted a divorce agreement, but since they didn’t know the other’s assets, they couldn’t detail the asset division.
I said, "Then send me the divorce agreement first. I’ll discuss the property division with him slowly."
After all, although the photos only cost ten million, the reputation of the Xavier Group’s president is worth far more than that.
As long as I have this evidence, is there any worry about negotiating the asset division?
I put the printed divorce agreement on the coffee table and dialed Timothy Xavier’s number.
Soon, the call connected.
"Ms Ellison, do you need something? Timothy’s coaxing the child."
The sweet voice, though seemingly polite, felt like a spike ramming into my ears.
It seems Serena is aware of my existence.
I had originally thought if Timothy was pretending to be single outside, deceiving others.
Turns out, she’s knowingly playing the third wheel!
I disdain wasting emotions on such people and coldly said, "Let Timothy answer the phone."
"I’m sorry, the child clings to him too tightly, he doesn’t have time right now. If you have anything to say, you can tell me, and I’ll pass it on."
Still in that gentle tone.
As she finished speaking, a little girl’s voice also came through the phone: "Daddy, will I see you in the morning? You always disappear for no reason."
Timothy gently soothed her: "Of course, I promise I’ll be here in the morning."
My heart constricted, how long has it been since I’ve heard him speak so tenderly?
"Ms Ellison? Is there anything else? If not, we’re going to rest now."
Serena’s seemingly polite words carried hidden barbs with every sentence.
I said, "Yes, have him come back and sign the divorce agreement!"