The young, beautiful girl's face was full of deer-like panic, entirely different from her aggressive demeanor that day.

"Please step aside. I don't have any benefactor. This is all slander." She cried pitifully, but she was cornered and couldn't leave.

The chopping sounds from the kitchen suddenly stopped. Instinctively, I glanced toward it. Matthew was typing rapidly on his phone, his brows furrowed tightly. Even from his profile, his seething anger was evident.

In no time, a dozen bodyguards charged into the scene, aggressive and intimidating. They surrounded Lindsay protectively, as if she were a treasure.

Leading them, a poised yet commanding lawyer said, "Miss Zegler is our young madam. Regarding the online defamation, I will fully pursue legal action on behalf of Mr. Hawk. You reporters spreading baseless slander seem unfit for your profession. I expect to see your resignation announcements by tomorrow."

The domineering display of husbandly protection sent the live-stream viewers into a frenzy: "The CEO's sweet wife, I'm obsessed!"

"She's so lucky! Who can find out who her husband is? He must be a total dreamboat."

The remote slipped from my hand. I thought I had numbed myself over the past few days, but why did my chest still ache so fiercely? My face turned pale in an instant.

The sound of the remote hitting the floor startled Matthew. He rushed over in a panic. Seeing my pallid face, he anxiously asked, "Miranda, are you feeling unwell? I'll take you to the hospital right now."

His expression was sincere and intense, clearly showing how much he adored me. But it didn't stop him from keeping his mistress behind my back.

In my daze, I found it absurd. Could a man truly split his deep affection between two women?

"I'm fine. I just got spooked by a horror movie," I said flatly, calmly pulling his hand away. After my repeated assurances, Matthew finally gave up on taking me to the hospital.

At dinner, the table was filled with dishes I loved. Matthew meticulously peeled shrimp and picked out chicken bones for me, but his frequent texting and the tender look in his eyes when glancing at his phone betrayed his divided attention.

I noticed everything but stayed silent, quietly enjoying the meal. I endured until nighttime when he finally couldn't sit still. Using work as an excuse, he drove off hurriedly, even forgetting his usual habit of kissing my forehead before leaving.

After much hesitation, I decided to follow him. At first, I worried he might notice, but even when I openly trailed behind his car, he remained oblivious. His entire focus was on that goldfinch of his.

The car stopped at a mid-range apartment complex, pulling up in front of a building. I parked in a hidden spot and watched as Lindsay, dressed in a skimpy nightgown, leaped into Matthew's arms, pouting and looking pitifully aggrieved.

Matthew's face was full of indulgence as he gently held her waist, draped his jacket over her shoulders and carried her inside in a princess hold.

The lights on the sixth floor turned on and I saw their suggestive silhouettes through the window.

In the living room, Matthew couldn't wait to press Lindsay against the glass. Their shadows overlapped intimately. The thought of Matthew being with her for six months, then coming back to touch me with his filthy hands …

"Ugh …" I retched violently in the car. Disgust, I felt pure, unrelenting disgust.

I closed my eyes, but the image of their entwined bodies clung to my mind like a nightmare, impossible to shake.

My face felt damp. I instinctively reached up to touch it and realized my tears had long begun to fall.

I thought back to Matthew's claim that he had a cleanliness obsession and would only ever touch me in his lifetime. Now, looking back, it felt like the biggest lie in the world.

The next evening, Matthew came back in a rush, as usual, holding a bouquet of my favorite roses. Normally, I would greet him cheerfully, chatting nonstop about all the little things in my day. But now, I just sat on the sofa, listless, my fingers brushing over a delicate box.

Matthew finally sensed something off about my mood. Cautiously, he asked, "Miranda, did I do something to upset you?"

He lowered his posture, his face full of eager apology, like a puppy wagging its tail. In the past, every time he showed this pitiful expression, I'd soften and forgive him. But not this time.

"I saw a story online about a couple married for ten years. The husband cheated in the end. I just feel sorry for the woman," I said lightly, making up a lie.

Matthew let out a sigh of relief and teased, "Is that all? That tragedy will never happen to you. Miranda, you should know how much I can't live without you. You are my life."

Listening to his resolute promises, I didn't run into his arms to act coy like I usually would. Instead, I gave a faint smile and nodded.

After dinner, Matthew belatedly noticed something unusual, the room felt emptier. Our wedding photo was gone.

"Miranda, where's our wedding picture?" His voice trembled slightly and his dark eyes betrayed a flicker of panic.

Of course, I threw it out. Yesterday, when I came home and saw that giant wedding photo on the wall, it felt like it was mocking me. I smashed it and discarded it without hesitation.

"The nails on the wall loosened and it fell. The frame broke, so I sent it to be repaired," I explained calmly. Matthew believed me without suspicion.

On the surface, we returned to our sweet, loving routine. But for me, it was all an act.

I quietly began packing my belongings, waiting for my immigration application to be approved so I could leave.

When Lindsay showed up again, I wasn't surprised, she was in a hurry to secure her position, after all. In a private booth, she stroked her belly, smugly declaring, "I'm pregnant with Matthew's child. It's a boy. You're just a barren old hen. If you're smart, you'll step aside now and save yourself the embarrassment later."

A pang shot through my chest and I felt my heart shatter into countless pieces.

Because of my health, I couldn't have children. Matthew had once held me and comforted me, saying he didn't like kids anyway, he only wanted me. But now, another woman carried his child and had the audacity to confront me.

My lips turned pale and I gripped the table tightly to steady myself, maintaining my composure and sneered, "Who gave a disgraceful mistress like you the confidence to challenge me face-to-face? Do you believe that if I tell Matthew right now, he'll make you vanish from the entertainment industry?"

"Disgraceful? Old woman, stop deceiving yourself," Lindsay sneered. "Come Saturday morning, you'll understand everything."

Her cryptic laughter lingered as she handed me an address. One glance at it and my heart sank, it was my mother's resort village.

I knew this was a Pandora's box, but I went early that morning anyway.

Standing at the most concealed downwind spot, I witnessed the barbecue party unfolding on the lawn.

Familiar cars arrived and to my utter disbelief, Matthew appeared, carefully holding Lindsay as they stepped out in broad daylight. My friends, our mutual friends, smiled and approached them with laughter, teasing, "Lindsay is looking more radiant by the day. Matthew, you've been taking excellent care of her!"

"Is Lindsay particularly playful?" they teased him.

Amid suggestive teasing, Matthew curled his lips into a smile and openly replied, "Her body is so soft, she's like an enchantress."

"Matthew! There are so many people here!" Lindsay playfully thumped his chest, her expression smug despite her mock shyness.

"Doesn't Miranda know she can't have children? Once Lindsay gives birth ..."

"Matthew, you can say it's an orphan you adopted from the welfare center. Keep the child close at hand."

"Miranda is educated and reasonable, she'll definitely raise the child well."

"We're rich, powerful and of noble status, how could we ever have just one woman?"

"As long as the secret's well-kept, Miranda won't find out for her whole life. Besides, her mother's already on your side."

Hearing this, I felt my blood run cold, my body frozen in place. I hated myself for standing downwind, catching every foul word clearly. It turned out Lindsay had long gained my friends' approval and even my mother knew about her.

Everyone was aware of Matthew's infidelity but helped him hide it. I was the only fool being kept in the dark, thinking my life was blissful and my marriage perfect. What a colossal lie.

Dazed and heartbroken, I returned home. With trembling hands, I gathered my documents and placed the gift box containing the divorce papers prominently on the coffee table.

Then, without hesitation, I left the house for good, not sparing a single glance back.

Matthew, may we never cross paths again in this lifetime.