In a voice exhausted beyond words, like he was utterly drained of both this marriage and me, Aiden said, “If this is what you wanted, then congratulations. You’ve gotten your wish.”
After saying that, he let out a faintly mocking smile, packed his things, and moved back to Martha’s house.
The next morning, Martha and Amelia came banging on my door.
“Lily, you’ve gone too far!” Amelia fumed. “All this over something so small? Did you really have to go for the kill? You know exactly how much my brother sacrificed to get where he is in his career. Do you even have a heart?”
“Lily, I’m deeply disappointed in you.” Martha’s voice was sharp and accusing. “At the most critical point in Adien’s career, you stabbed him in the back! A husband and wife rise and fall together. How could you be so ruthless toward your own husband? Do you really have no loyalty left for him?”
I met their gazes with a calm expression. “Loyalty? Did he show any? You probably won’t believe this, but he even wanted me to apologize to that woman.
“I didn’t cause this mess. Aiden did. If he had the guts to cheat, then he should have the guts to deal with the consequences. Isn’t that right?”
“How is that cheating?” Martha looked at me in disbelief.
Amelia scoffed. “At most, it was just an emotional affair.”
“An emotional affair isn’t cheating?” I shot back coldly, then fixed my gaze on Amelia. “If your husband called another woman his ‘one and only wife,‘ could you accept that?”
“He wouldn’t dare! I’d break his damn hands!” she blurted out.
Mom arrived shortly after. She looked heartbroken and furious. “Lily, you’re being foolish! They didn’t actually cross the line. If you just endure it and let it go, you’ll always have the upper hand in this marriage. But look at the mess you’ve made!
“What did you even get out of it? Your report didn’t ruin him completely! You let your emotions get the best of you! No matter how strong’a woman is, she still needs a man to rely on.
“I’m ordering you to go bring Aiden back home! Even if you don’t care about yourself, think about Chloe!”
My eyes turned red. I was devastated, but I stood firm.
