Divorce on New Year’s Eve,My Husband’s Mistress Gave Him HIV

1

This year, my husband claimed he had a business trip and couldn't come home for New Year's Eve.

He insisted I go celebrate with my own family instead.

But a blizzard grounded all flights.

So I turned back toward his parents' house, planning to surprise them for the holiday.

When I pulled up outside with a car full of gifts, I heard laughter and clinking glasses from inside—a full-blown celebration.

"Daughter-in-law, eat more! Your mother-in-law made this whole spread just for you."

Then I heard my husband's voice: "Mom and Dad have been waiting all year for you to come home."

My body went rigid. My hands and feet turned to ice. My mind went blank.

I couldn't stop myself—I kicked the door open.

And there was my husband, the one supposedly away on business, with his arms wrapped around a young woman.

They looked comfortable together. Intimate. Like lovers who'd been together for years.

——

The air left my lungs. The scene before me was a knife twisting in my chest.

For a long moment, I couldn't breathe.

Then I forced it all down. Forced myself to stay calm.

"Mom, Dad, Ray—I'm home."

I glanced around the room with practiced ease. "Oh, we have a guest?"

My eyes landed on the woman tucked against my husband's side, and I smiled. "Isn't this Ruth Newton?"

I slipped off my coat and sat down at the table like nothing was wrong.

Inside, I was hemorrhaging. The pain was unbearable.

But my pride—my dignity—demanded composure.

I picked up my chopsticks, took a bite of fish, and gave my mother-in-law an appreciative thumbs-up.

"Mom, this braised carp is my absolute favorite. Thank you for the wonderful surprise."

I lifted a glass of warm Maotai and let it burn down my throat.

Then I turned a bright smile toward my father-in-law.

"I do love a good baijiu. This is excellent—thank you for warming it, Dad."

The liquor hit my stomach, and warmth spread through my veins.

I wasn't cold anymore. Feeling returned to my fingers and toes. And the tension in the room? I'd wound it tight as a spring before a storm.

Ray Dickerson finally cracked. A muscle in his jaw twitched.

"Lottie Dickerson, weren't you supposed to be at your parents' house?"

I met his frigid stare with a smile.

"Flight got canceled."

His expression soured. I pretended not to notice.

"Everyone, please—eat, drink. Ruth, it's been ages since we've seen each other. I had no idea you'd be here at my home. Tomorrow's New Year's Day—how perfect that we can all celebrate together."

The silence that followed was deafening. You could've heard a pin drop.

Every bite of food turned to ash in my mouth, but I kept eating. I stuffed myself until my stomach ached.

They couldn't take it anymore.

Ray grabbed my wrist and yanked me up from my chair.

"Fine. Yes. It's exactly what it looks like."

His voice turned sharp. "Lottie, if you have something to say, just say it. Stop with the passive-aggressive act—you're making Ruth uncomfortable."

He stepped in front of her, shielding her. As if I were the threat.

I hadn't done anything. I'd just eaten dinner.

I looked at my in-laws. They shifted awkwardly but positioned themselves protectively around Ruth too.

Like she was family.

Like they were the real unit here.

My mind replayed what I'd heard before I walked in. They'd called her daughter-in-law.

My throat tightened, but I kept my smile fixed in place as I swept my gaze across all of them.

"Making her uncomfortable? How?"

"I heard Dad call her 'daughter-in-law' before I even opened the door. I thought I must have misheard."

"But I didn't, did I? I've been sitting here all this time, and not one of you has said it was a joke."

The older couple's faces flushed with embarrassment.

Ray guided Ruth to the sofa, tucking a cushion behind her lower back with careful hands.

Then he poured her a steaming cup of chrysanthemum tea and placed it gently in her palms.

In all our years of marriage, Ray had never once treated me like that.