Part 1The Ten-Year Lie: My Husband’s Secret Vengeance

On the day I was diagnosed with stomach cancer, his childhood friend announced her pregnancy on Facebook.

Ethan rushed home and signed the divorce papers, but he threw my diagnosis report on the floor with disdain.

"Sophia, don't you think this pathetic attempt to win me back is a bit unnecessary?"

* * *

Ethan saw the divorce papers I had prepared, and at the same time, he saw my diagnosis report.

"Sophia, stop using these pathetic tricks." Ethan casually tossed the paper on the floor. "I’ve been using you all along. My love for you was all fake."

"I know," I replied softly, my stomach cramping in pain. I had known since the day he testified against my father in court, since his childhood friend, Chloe, told me it was my father who had ruined their families.

"I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Just pretend you didn't see it." I carefully put my diagnosis report away and handed him a pen. "Asking for a few million in the divorce settlement shouldn't be too much for Mr. Vance, right?"

I couldn't defend my father's actions.

But Ethan had lied to me for ten years; that had to be worth something.

When I went to visit my dad in prison, he looked incredibly haggard. He said, "Sophie, don't blame Ethan. It was all my greed back then. You two live a good life together, and just remember to visit me often."

Fighting back a sob, I forced my tears down.

I said, "Okay."

I had promised my dad I would live a good life. I was going to get treatment, survive, and strive to outlive him.

Ethan's cold sneer pulled me back from my memories. "A few million? Is that enough to pay off his debts?"

Ethan flipped open the agreement and read it carefully. "Should I have my lawyer revise this?"

Every word hit my heart like a block of ice.

"My father wronged you, and he wronged many people. I know that. But you don't have to pay for it." My hand holding the paper curled up, wrinkling the edge, my sweaty palm slowly dampening it. "This money buys my ten years. It's enough."

"Fine." Ethan nodded, his jaw clenched, his eyes terrifyingly cold.

He had disguised himself perfectly for ten years. In front of me, he let me throw tantrums and vent my emotions on him.

He had always been careful to protect my feelings, his expression as gentle as day one for ten years straight.

This was the first time I had ever seen him angry. The veins on the back of his hand bulged, and the pen looked like it was going to snap in half.

Ethan signed quickly. His handwriting was a bit messy due to his haste, and every stroke was so forceful it seemed to tear through the paper.

"My dad bought this house for us as a wedding gift. I plan to sell it to pay off some of his debts. I've already packed your things; they're in those big boxes. The things you gave me are in there too." As I spoke, I subconsciously looked down and noticed a small patch of skin on my ring finger that was a different shade—where my wedding ring used to be.

When Ethan proposed, he told me that if I put it on, I would be tied to him for a lifetime.

I had cried and replied that a lifetime was too short; I wanted the next life too.

But there were no two lifetimes, not even one. We only had ten years.

To me, those ten years felt fleeting, but for Ethan, every day must have felt like a year.

"You..."

I interrupted him: "You packed so fast. Why did you always pretend to be so scatterbrained before?"

A sentence can have completely different meanings depending on the tone, and Ethan's was clearly sarcastic.

I used to be very scatterbrained, and Ethan always kept the house perfectly organized.

My lips curled up slightly: "It's not fast. It's been two months since my dad was sent to prison, Mr. Vance."

He hadn't been home for two months, but I could see his updates on Chloe's Facebook.

I knew Chloe posted them deliberately for me to see.

As for why we were Facebook friends... it was because she was Ethan's secretary.

Three years after Ethan started his company, she barged into our lives.

She pretended to be my good friend, sending me dozens of messages every day, sharing details of Ethan's life at work, making me completely drop my guard around her.

Little did I know, it was all exactly what she wanted me to see.

Ethan's pupils contracted, and he pursed his lips in silence.

"When it comes to pretending, Mr. Vance is clearly the master." I forced the corners of my mouth up, refusing to let my tears fall.

Ethan's tall figure loomed over me, and the smell of nicotine instantly flooded my nose.

"Pregnant women shouldn't be exposed to secondhand smoke. Think about Chloe and smoke less." I placed my hands on his chest and pushed him away.

Chloe's latest Facebook post was a picture of a positive pregnancy test. At that time, I was holding the freshly printed divorce agreement. The paper was warm, but my hands and feet were ice cold.

I guess I should have 'liked' it.

Ethan hadn't expected my push and stumbled back two steps before catching his balance.

A flash of shock crossed his eyes, but he quickly returned to his cold demeanor. "Didn't you say you were selling the house? I'll offer 10% above market value. Sell it to me, and you leave."

As soon as he finished, I was the one in shock.

I didn't understand why Ethan was being so spiteful. Maybe he just had too much money and nowhere to spend it.

I had no reason to turn down money, so I nodded.

"But before the contract is finalized, I'd like you to move out first."

"I'll call my lawyer right now to draft the purchase agreement. I'll wire you the money together, and you move out." Ethan was inexplicably acting like a petulant child, his jaw clenched tight, emphasizing the words "you move out."

His anger was his business, but this arrangement suited me perfectly.

I nodded again: "Arrange it however you like. I have an appointment this afternoon."

With that, I went into the bedroom to pack my own things.

There wasn't much left. After removing what I gave Ethan and what he gave me, and considering I was in a rush to leave, I had already purged my belongings once.

The moment I closed my suitcase, the purchase agreement was sent over.

The moment I signed, I caught sight of my relieved smile in the mirror. I looked up and met Ethan's eyes, startled by his dark, brooding face.

On a whim, I said to him, "Pleasure doing business with you."

As I was leaving, a large box flew past me and landed in the trash can in the hallway.

The loud crash startled me. Before I could recover, another box flew into the trash.

I didn't need to look back to know it was Ethan.

He was throwing away the trash. One box was the things he gave me; the other, the things I gave him.

When I regained my composure, I didn't look back and stepped into the elevator.

Strangely, until the elevator doors closed, I didn't hear the sound of his door shutting behind me.