So the reason Adrian acted strangely this morning and dragged me to do it again and again was not that he suddenly changed his thoughts, but because he wanted me to try it first for his lover.

Adrian still seemed stuck in a defiant stage, on one side not wanting me to manage him or disturb him, yet each time he teased around on purpose to let me notice.

He treated my collapse and my crying as his rewards.

I feel worn out.

I did not want to comfort him anymore or go along with this kind of behavior.

Liliana said she would take care of the divorce. After seven days, I would bring the child and go away.

Early the following morning, I got a cold and had a fever, my head heavy and spinning.

“Why didn’t you tell me when you had a fever? No surprise you didn’t answer me last night.”

In my haze, I felt a hand holding the back of my neck, pulling me into his chest.

My forehead leaned against the man’s shoulder, and the warmth of his body made me blank for a short moment.

Why was Adrian always like this, so divided?

When we didn’t see each other, he acted very harshly and pushed me in every possible way, but when we did see each other, he became softer than anyone, like his eyes held only me.

It made me think that if I gave in, ready to be a proper Mrs. Wilkinson who didn’t manage him, we could keep a close love and marriage.

A lot of people around us had this type of marriage, and even friends told me to ignore it.

But I couldn’t ever accept that, so I decided to leave.

A soft sound came from the crib.

Adrian stood up and lifted the baby, his tone very soft.

“Daddy’s here. Did baby get upset because daddy didn’t come home yesterday?”

He gently pressed his forehead to the baby’s small face, slowly moving and rocking around the room.

Watching this, my heart felt a little warm, and my face eased for a second.

At least Adrian still treated the baby well.

Noticing my face relax, Adrian caught my finger and lightly moved it.

“Sorry, wife, it’s my mistake for not coming back yesterday. I didn’t even know you were ill.”

“I’ll bring you to the hospital for a full checkup, alright?”

My mind felt heavy, and I didn’t refuse to go to the hospital.

Along the way, I stayed very quiet.

Before, in times like this, when we were alone, I would keep complaining.

Complaining about Adrian coming back late, complaining about small things in daily life, and complaining about things he didn’t do well.

But now I didn’t want to keep pushing myself forward to act like a housekeeper.

Adrian drove the car, glancing at me a few times through the rearview mirror.

He seemed a little not used to it.

He clicked his tongue.

“Wife, did you check the message I sent last night?”

I shut my eyes to rest. “Hmm.”

“Is it because you have a fever and feel unwell? If it was before, you’d have kept calling my phone last night.”

Adrian’s tone sounded relaxed with a bit of testing.

“Before, when I was only a bit close to my secretary, your calls kept coming one after another, making me answer, so what, your attitude changed?”

“Isn’t this what you always wanted?”

I spoke with a mocking tone.

“A good wife who doesn’t cause problems, doesn’t stay loud, and doesn’t try to run your life.”

Adrian paused for a short time, not expecting I’d reply that way.

After a few moments, he gave a quick smile, leaned closer, and brushed my hair, like he was petting a calm animal.

“Okay, wife, you finally got it. I told you before, those girls outside are only for fun.”

“But you aren’t the same to me.”

His voice sounded quite serious.

“You’re my wife, you’re my home, home is where you are, I’ll come back to you in the end.”

“Only for fun.”

Those few words dropped softly.

But like small grains, they quietly slid into my throat, making even my breathing feel hard.

I thought back to that day five years earlier when Adrian told me his feelings.

He went down on one knee, his voice so serious it almost felt heavy, saying we’d stay together and grow old side by side, one life, one person.

Maybe promises only matter at the moment they’re said.

In just five years, everything had already changed so much that it couldn’t be recognized anymore.

Right then, Adrian’s phone rang.

He looked at the screen, his eyes lowered a bit, but he still picked up the call.

On the other side came a woman’s voice, sounding like she was crying.

“Brother, my ankle got hurt, it hurts a lot… can you come…”

Adrian cut her off with impatience.

“Didn’t I already tell you? Don’t call me when nothing’s wrong, I need to stay with my wife.”

“If your ankle is hurt, go to the hospital. Why call me? If it happens again, don’t reach out to me!”

He ended the call right away.

When he turned to me, there was still a slight look of wanting praise.

Like he was saying, look, he didn’t treat those women outside as kindly as he treated me.

I let out a slow breath, pressing my teeth into the soft part inside my lip.

Adrian, even you didn’t notice that before; you never gave those women your personal number.

At the hospital, he stayed busy helping me sign up.

But after I completed the checkup, he was gone.

A text showed up on my phone.

[Something came up, so you handle the IV yourself first.]

[In three days, it’s your birthday, I’ll surely come back to stay with you, the baby’s full month banquet I’ll arrange together.]

I read those lines, and I didn’t feel shocked at all.

I set up the IV by myself, then noticed Amira’s post on Instagram.

The image showed her view, with her foot resting on Adrian’s shoulder, and the man looked gentle and helpless, like he was watching a playful cat.

Her text said, [Whenever it is, if I need him, he always comes to me right away.]

Warm tears dropped quietly; the ache in my hand made me react, and I slowly came back to awareness.

Then I realized the IV was done, and blood was flowing back.

The nurse quickly came over to remove the needle and said with an apologetic tone, “Sorry, miss, does it hurt very much?”

I answered in a low voice, “……After the pain passes, it will be okay.”

After I left the hospital, I went straight to the main office of the Pearson family business, now handled by the Wilkinson family.

Since my parents died, the Pearson family had kept its business barely going.

The size wasn’t like before, but a few key parts were still kept.

I stayed in the meeting room, laying out every document one by one.

All the help the Wilkinson family gave over the years, I listed each part clearly, getting ready to give everything back.

And the assets of the Pearson family, I would take them back fully.

Not just for me, but also for my child.

Even if leaving the Wilkinson family, she still must grow up well and properly.

After the secretary completed signing the final document, she asked quietly, “President Pearson, either the film and television department or the advertising department must give up to settle this, which one do you plan to keep?”

I didn’t reply right away, but chose to go see the recording studio first.

That place was the main center of the film and television department, and it was also the place I knew best.

My dream before was to become a host.

But after I married into the Wilkinson family, their rule said Mrs. Wilkinson couldn’t appear in public.

It was Adrian who told me I could create a recording studio that belonged to me, make podcasts, and show my ability without showing my face.

So during those years, I quietly made podcasts, slowly bringing the film and television department and my show to the front of the industry.

Each wall there, every light, had been arranged by Adrian and me together.

It was also the place where we spent time together and stayed for a long period.

He was my first viewer, first listener, and also my first supporter.

“President Pearson, wait a second.”

While I was thinking about the past, someone suddenly stopped me.

The recording studio felt cold. Adrian stood in the middle, his face serious and striking.

And across from him, Amira moved in a soft dance.

He looked at her, like he was looking at his goddess.

After I found out I had arrived, Adrian had someone send me a message, saying he wanted to use the recording studio for a while.

“President Wilkinson said don’t get upset, he said he’s shooting a show and needs this place.”

The warmth in my chest from earlier thoughts quickly turned cold.

Adrian really knew how to pick, taking the recording studio we worked hardest on as a place for his lover.

I pulled back my eyes and faced the secretary.

“Keep the film and television department.”

If the film and television department stayed with Adrian, sooner or later it would turn into a step for Amira in his hands!

I wouldn’t let him ruin this place for another woman.

Over the next two days, I almost didn’t pay any attention to Adrian anymore.

The baby couldn’t be left alone, so I looked after her while dealing with papers.

But Adrian was still all over the place.

The trending searches were full of him and Amira.

The heat of the dating show kept going up.

The newest part was the last part where they shared feelings on the show.

Adrian reserved a whole sea area, fireworks went up from the water, one after another, lasting three full hours.

They kissed under the fireworks, and people online said it looked like the main couple in a story.

People outside were guessing if Amira would be the next Mrs. Wilkinson; people around were guessing how many days I’d last before I lost control.

But no one knew the spot of Mrs. Wilkinson. I didn’t want it anymore for a long time.

On my birthday, I dressed myself up with care.

At today’s banquet, besides marking my birthday, I also wanted to reach new partners and work with the Pearson family, so I didn’t focus on enjoyment.

During the first part of the banquet, Adrian didn’t show up, and I wasn’t surprised at all.

In the middle, I passed the baby to the nanny and turned to walk to the restroom.

But when I returned, I saw that Amira and Adrian had come to the banquet.

And in Amira’s arms was my baby!

She bent her head and played with the baby, her long nails pressing the baby’s face again and again.

She held the baby not firmly, like she was playing with a fun toy.

My head rang.

Without thinking, I ran over.

“Move back, who let you touch her!”

I pulled the baby back in one move.

The baby got hurt by Amira’s nails and started crying right away.

On her arm, there was a light blood line left by the nails!

I held back my anger and let the nanny take the baby to calm her.

After the baby went away, my chest moved up and down fast, staring at Adrian, my voice almost yelling,

“Adrian, didn’t I tell you, those dirty things outside, don’t bring them in front of the baby!”

Amira was pulled by me and lost her balance, then fell straight to the floor.

“Sister-in-law, I only felt the baby was lovely and wanted to carry her, why shove me?”

“Today is your birthday, I came just to celebrate with you…”

Adrian’s face turned dark. He quickly walked over and helped her stand. “Does it hurt?”

After making sure she was alright, he lifted his head and looked at me.

Adrian’s eyes looked very heavy and scary.

“Eloise, Amira only wanted to get near the baby. Did you have to hurt her?”

When he said that, he didn’t even glance at the baby.

He only moved to protect Amira.

“I thought these past two days you really started to act better, didn’t expect you’re still like this.”

“Today is your birthday. Amira prepared a dance for you, wanting to make you happy.”

“But in the end, you won’t even let her stay here.”

“When did you turn so selfish?”

I felt very mad, so I laughed loudly instead.

“Adrian, go outside and check how many performers want to join my birthday party, your partner dancing for me, should I thank you for that?”

“You say that I only think about myself.”

“So, you're bringing your mistress to my birthday, isn't it selfish? You think I should kindly welcome that woman back and take care of her?!”

Adrian clearly did not think I would talk to him like this in front of others; his expression quickly turned cold.

“Eloise, you really are unbelievable. Now you even speak against me in front of everyone! You are nowhere near as reasonable as Amira!”

He could not win the argument, angrily placed his arm around Amira’s shoulder, and left.

I breathed in deeply, holding back the worry of wanting to see the child, saying sorry, making small talk, and sending the guests away one by one.

After everyone had fully left, the smile on my face slowly faded away.

I quickly moved toward the baby's room, hoping to get some comfort from the child.

But the nursery had no one inside!

And the helper who was about to enter was also not holding the baby.

A bad feeling rose up at once.

“Where is my child?”

I asked the nanny with teary eyes. “I told you to stay with her, where did she go?!”

The nanny’s face turned white right away, and she started to speak with breaks.

“M-Ma’am, the baby…”

“It was, sir, he said you cannot care for a child well, your feelings are not calm, it will affect the child’s nature…”

“For these days the baby will stay with him, and you… should think about yourself.”

I stood still, and even breathing felt hard.

After I came back to my senses, I quickly tried to reach Adrian’s staff, his assistant, but every message got no reply.

Adrian stayed away from me on purpose. For now, I had no way to know where he went.

Just as I was about to break down, my phone showed that last extra live stream of the dating show.

When I noticed what the live video showed, anger rose in my eyes at once.

On screen, Adrian told everyone the baby was given by the show team so they could practice caring for a child.

I watched Amira, next to him, give the baby a small cookie. The baby was just one month old, and even drinking was hard, but it was pushed into her mouth, and she cried loudly in pain.

The milk formula I asked someone to make was spread all over the floor, then Amira picked it up carelessly and kept mixing it.

She gave it to the baby, but it was too hot, and the baby refused to drink. She even gave the baby’s own bottle to a dog!

Amira also placed the baby on the floor, letting her stay with a big dog. The floor was cold and dirty, and her clothes quickly became messy!

Adrian, on screen, still showed a pleased smile. “See how joyful the baby is.”

Joyful?

I looked at the screen, my eyes felt hot.

How can she be happy?

Her face clearly showed fear!

The last small hope in my heart that “Adrian might be a good dad” fully broke.

That was the baby I kept safe with care, scared she might get hit or hurt.

The precious child I slowly raised with love!

But in Adrian’s view, she was only a “thing” he could easily bring to the show to flirt with!

I almost lost control and ran straight to the hotel where the show group stayed.

The front desk saw me, their expression changed a little, and the assistant quickly ran after me to stop me.

“Mrs. Wilkinson, now is really not the right time…”

I shoved the person aside and rushed straight to the room door.

I kicked the door open.

What was inside came into sight right away.

The air felt strange, clothes were thrown around, and everything looked messy.

Adrian’s clothes were not neat, and his face showed anger from being interrupted. Amira stayed in his arms, her face red, her look uneasy.

My sight went dark for a second, but I made myself stay standing.

My voice shook as I asked, “Adrian!”

“Where is my baby? Where did you take my baby?!”

Amira looked scared, quickly hiding in Adrian’s arms.

“Sister-in-law, please don’t get mad. I thought brother brought the baby to the show to build a bond with the baby, did he not tell you?”

“If I knew before, I would have told him to bring the baby back, ah, that milk formula, was it for the baby to drink? I thought brother bought it for the dog, so I gave it to the dog…”

My head hurts. Before I could talk, I heard Adrian give a small laugh. “Why are you saying all that to her?”

He lifted his eyes to face me, his eyes cold with no warmth.

“As the baby’s dad, what is wrong with me building a bond with the baby?”

“No need to say sorry to her, the milk formula had no words saying it is for the baby, what is wrong with giving it to the dog? Do not blame yourself, you did nothing bad.”

What was wrong with giving it to the dog?

What was wrong?!

My voice almost came out with force from my throat.

“Adrian, do you know that milk formula was made just…”

“Stop, how long will you keep making trouble? Look at you now, like a loud woman from the street.”

“Do you think we are not ashamed enough already?”

Adrian cut me off; his eyes showed a bit of harshness, he touched Amira’s cheek, and slowly spoke.

“And is this not because of you? Yesterday, you thought Amira could not care for the baby and pushed her aside, making her look bad in public.”

“So I let the baby stay with Amira more so she can learn how to care for a baby, what is wrong with that?”

I caused this?

Just because I made his mistress feel ashamed, he treats the baby like this?