"Willow, I… I can explain."

"All right." I put my phone away and went to sit on the sofa while looking nonchalantly at him. "Go ahead."

Chuck's explanation was filled with loopholes. One would say that it was the year's worst crisis management attempt. He told me that Candice was his distant cousin, and it had not been easy for her to bring up her son after her husband's passing. Chuck took extra care of her out of sympathy.

He went on to explain that the photos only made them seem intimate because of the angle of the photos. Chuck had been dragged into the photo because the kid wanted him in it. He went on to declare that I was the only one he loved, but that he kept this from me for fear that it would cause a misunderstanding.

Chuck observed my expression while explaining, and he started to sweat profusely.

I listened quietly without interrupting him. When he was done, I said slowly, "Cousin?" I stood up and went over to Chuck, gently touching the collar of his shirt to straighten it. "We've been married for 10 years, Chuck. Why haven't you mentioned your cousin, Candice, all this time?"

Chuck gulped. "That's because she… She's a distant cousin, and we haven't been in touch for years. It's only two years ago that we started…"

"Is that so?" I interrupted him. "Why does your cousin's son look so much like you?" I leaned in close, saying it right into his ear in a voice low enough for only both of us to hear. "Even that mole on his eyebrow is in the exact same spot as yours."

Chuck's body stiffened while I stepped away from him to admire the fear in his eyes with a smile. "Do you think I'm stupid, Chuck?"

He finally ceased the pretense and went down on his knees before me with a plop. Chuck grabbed my hand as tears streamed down his face with his snot. "I made a mistake, honey! I'm a horrible person! Please forgive me just this once. I promise to break it off with her. I'll make sure it's a clean break, and I won't see her again!

"I was being stupid! You're the only woman I love. We've been together for 10 years, honey. Please give me a chance on account of our time together." He cried hysterically and with regret.

If I had not found out that he purchased a 5 million trust for Candice's son last month, I might have forgiven him. I pulled my hand away and looked down at him."How are you going to have a clean break? Do you want your son to be without a father? Or do you plan for your mistress to lose her financial backer?"

Chuck turned pale and started to ramble, "No… I…"

"Let's get divorced, Chuck," I said calmly.

His head jerked up to look at me with disbelief. "No! I won't agree to it. I don't want a divorce!"

"It's not your choice to make." I gave him the divorce papers I had prepared. "I've already signed them. We'll each get half of our assets. I'll get the house, and you can have the car. The company has always been yours, even before we were married, so you can have it back."

Chuck looked incredibly upset while starting at the divorce papers, and he shook his head vigorously. "No, you can't do this to me, Willow. You had a part in building our company too! We can't get divorced!"

He grabbed the leg of my pants and refused to let go.

I know what he was really afraid of. He was not afraid of losing me, but what I could give him if I were still with him. His company was at a critical stage of getting a new round of investment, and the main investor was someone I had connected with through my long-term contacts.

If his persona as the perfect husband faltered at this time, it would affect his reputation in the industry. He could not afford to lose a good wife like me at such an important moment.

"Listen to me, Willow. That child… He's not…"

"Not what?" I looked at him coldly. "Not your son?"

Chuck choked.

I crouched until I was at the same eye level as he was. "Stop lying, Chuck. It's not a good color on you. I'll give you three days to sign the papers, or I'll share those pictures with your investors and your company employees. I won't forget to give your mother a copy too. I want to show everyone how a self-professed DINK like you can be a 'wonderful father' behind everyone's back."

Chuck trembled violently, looking to be in despair. He did not sign the papers in the end, but started to put up a 'performance'. He started coming home on time to cook for me and to wash and massage my feet.

He gave me all his cards and car keys and told me that I would be in charge of the family assets. Chuck called Candice in front of me to say the most hurtful things to break up with her, and to warn her not to see him again. I could hear her sobbing hysterically over the phone, but Chuck refused to budge.

After hanging up, he expressed his loyalty to me right away, "Look, honey, I've really broken up with her. Can we not get divorced?"

If I had not installed a small GPS device inside his car and found out he had parked at another high-end district for two hours every afternoon, I would have believed him. That area was where Candice and Edwin lived.

Chuck was two-timing us and enjoying the best of both worlds. I was the money-maker, while Candice was the love of his life.

My mother-in-law eventually joined the battle. She started by calling me three times a day, berating me for not knowing what was good for me. She lectured me about how I should count myself lucky that my man was willing to come back to my side, and questioned me about what more I wanted.

When she realized that threats were not working, she started to play the emotional card by talking about the past and claiming that she had always treated me like her daughter. However, I ignored everything she said.

On the third day, Chuck went all out. He planned a grand dinner with the investors at our home, and he invited almost every renowned figure in the city. He wanted to put up a great show of how loving we were as husband and wife, and use the opportunity to force me into submission.

He looked at me with tears in his eyes, "Honey, please help me just this once. All I ask is one chance tonight. You can do anything you want after this. This investment is really important to our family and me!"

I looked at him and suddenly smiled. "Sure."

Chuck was delighted.

I looked at myself in the mirror. My makeup was exquisite, and I was dressed in an attention-grabbing, bright red dress with a trailing skirt. Since Chuck enjoyed putting up a show so much, I decided to give him a show to remember.

The guests arrived in troves that night. Chuck was in a haute couture suite, and he looked to be in high spirits with his arm around mine. He greeted every guest in attendance and played the part of the perfect husband. "This is my wife, Willow. She's a food critic, and I wouldn't be where I am today without her."

He described me as someone irreplaceable in his life, and I smiled graciously as everyone looked enviously at me.

After mingling with the guests and clinking glasses with everyone he met, Chuck walked up a stage temporarily set up for the event, and he started a passionate speech about the trials and tribulations of starting his career. He talked about the company's future blueprint and what it was like to be a strong and responsible family man.

"Behind every successful man is a great family. I'm lucky enough to have the best wife in the world, and we made a promise to spend the rest of our lives as DINKs and create an exciting world with only each other."

Everyone applauded, and I raised my glass while looking at him with a wide smile.

Once the speech was over, the lights dimmed, and the main course was served.

I had arranged for the pastry chef to create a huge cake for the event, and he wheeled the cake into the party venue. Everyone thought the cake was part of the party, and Chuck's expression changed when he saw the figurines on top.

It was a man, a woman, and a little boy. The little boy's figurine was created in the image of Chuck, and they looked very similar.

Before the guests realized this, there was a commotion at the door. I smiled when I saw who had arrived, and wondered what Chuck would do.