Denisse's POV

At the homecoming celebration, the proud and untouchable Wren Wintringham knelt on one knee to help a young woman put on her shoe.

The girl’s eyes lit up the moment she saw me.

“You must be the wife! No wonder Wren kept you hidden away!” She rushed over with a bright smile and praised, “You’re so beautiful! I would’ve never guessed you’re almost 32. You look like, maybe 30 tops!”

I’d been married to Wren for ten years and never once heard he had a sister.

Immediately understanding the situation, I turned to him and said flatly, “You’re already halfway to the grave, and now you’re picking up the habit of keeping a little ‘girl’ on the side?”

——

Ignoring the growing tension, I walked to the only empty seat left, sat down, and picked up the fork and knife.

Before Wren could say a word, the girl cut in, “Maybe it’s just been a while since you and Wren, y’know, did anything. That’s probably why you think he’s getting old. But honestly? He’s got more energy than guys my age.”

Hearing that, the hunger from my day-long trip vanished. I lost my appetite in an instant.

So Wren had even told her about our lack of intimacy.

“And just to be clear, I’m not some clingy wannabe mistress. I’m here to help you,” she added. “You travel a lot for work, so whenever you’re away, I make sure to keep an eye on Wren for you and keep him from messing around. Girls support girls, right?”

She said all this while plopping herself down right in his lap.

I looked around the table at the business partners and company heads who were present. But I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

This was the same Wren who was always known for being untouchable, cold, and proper in public. And now, here he was, letting some girl sit in his lap like it was nothing.

We’d been married for ten years, yet he never even let me hold his hand in public.

I thought he’d at least push her off. But instead, he gently supported her waist with one hand.

Finally, he noticed me watching and glanced over.

“You’re in Ellery’s seat,” he said.

Ellery Mason gave me a cheeky grin. “Sis, men are meant to be used. Don’t pity him. The moment you start feeling bad for a man, your whole life goes downhill.”

Even having heard of it, Wren didn’t deny it. He just sat there, letting her call him by name.

Around the table, people started whispering.

“Honestly, Mr. Wintringham and Miss Mason look kind of good together. Older guy and younger girl.”

“I agree. Look, they look like newlyweds.”

“And obviously, she’s fresher than his wife. If I were him, I wouldn’t even hesitate.”

I put down my chopsticks and looked straight at the two of them, looking so cozy.

“You know what?” I said calmly. “I’m starting to ship you two. Let’s get divorced, Wren. I’ll step aside and let you be together.”

But contrary to what I'd expected, he just gave a cold laugh. “You want a divorce? Are you really willing to give up this life of luxury?”

When I married him, our worlds were miles apart. His family only agreed to accept me under one condition. That was if we ever divorced, I had to leave with nothing.

I always thought we’d never come to that. I married him because I thought I was choosing love over everything else.

Turned out, he thought I was after his money.

When I didn’t respond, his smirk deepened. “You’re not a kid anymore, Denisse. Stop acting jealous and petty. Learn from Ellery. This is what a modern woman looks like.”

With that, he stood up and carried Ellery out of the event hall in his arms.

Everyone else, sensing the drama, made a hasty exit too.

As such, the celebration, meant to honor my achievements, was suddenly over. All that was left was a giant empty dining room, and me sitting alone at the table.

At that, I called my lawyer and told him to draft the divorce papers.

When I got home that night, I was lightheaded with hunger, and my stomach was aching.

I opened the fridge, hoping to find something to eat, only to see just desserts and snacks.

But Wren never ate sweets.

Only then did I look around and notice that the whole house had changed. The kitchen was full of cute little gadgets, and the bedroom sheets had been swapped for cartoon-print ones.

Denisse's POV

I also opened the wardrobe and saw bright, frilly dresses hanging right next to my business suits. Even the air smelled different, heavy with a perfume I didn’t recognize.

Everything screamed of another woman.

The housekeeper heard me moving upstairs and came up. When she saw it was me, she looked startled. “Miss Mason—oh! Madam, you’re back. This room’s been used by Mr. Wintringham and that woman lately.”

My heart immediately sank at that. Then, I rushed to the nightstand and yanked the drawer open to look for the gold necklace my mother left me when she passed away. But it was gone!

I had kept it there for years, never daring to wear it for fear of losing or damaging it. It brought me peace, so I’d glance at it every night before sleeping.

And now it was just gone.

I didn’t need anyone to tell me who took it. I already knew.

Anger flared through me as I called Wren. But he just hung up, so I called again. Yet, he ignored the second, third, and fourth.

Finally, on the tenth call, someone picked up.

“Wren!” I snapped. “Did you seriously let your mistress touch my things?!”

But a familiar female voice answered instead. “Oh, it’s just me, sis! What do you mean your things? I told you, I’m here to help! We’re on the same team! I even hung my clothes right next to yours, didn’t I?”

She sounded so smug, so self-righteous, and I felt a wave of nausea.

“You know what you took. I want it back. Now,” I firmly demanded.

From the background, I heard Wren’s impatient voice. “Why are you even talking to her? Come back to bed already.”

Since he was with her, I shouted for him to hear me. “Wren! She stole the gold necklace my mother left me! Tell her to give it back!”

But he just coldly said, “It’s just a necklace. Do you really need to make such a fuss? You’re not a kid anymore. Stop fighting over things with a younger girl. It’s pathetic.”

Then he hung up.

I stared at my phone, stunned.

I tried calling again, but he had already blocked me.

Suddenly, my vision went black, and I collapsed.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital. Turned out, the housekeeper had found me and rushed me here when my stomach condition flared up from stress and starvation.

She had also called Wren right away, but he didn’t even care, saying, “Tch. What, she needs backup now just to act jealous? Tell her, unless she’s dead, don’t bother me.”

I stayed in the hospital for three days.

And during those days, he never called or visited. Even when my lawyer sent him the divorce papers, he didn’t respond.

Just as I was preparing to be discharged, I spotted Wren downstairs with Ellery. They were being congratulated by a gynecologist for having a baby.

My feet rooted in their place upon overhearing them.

I had been married to him for ten years and never once gotten pregnant.

Because of that, his mother had dragged me to countless doctors, but every test said I was fine.

So, the answer to who had the problem was obvious.

Despite that, I never said anything. I kept quiet to protect his pride.

And now his mistress was pregnant?

It was ridiculous.

I watched them walk into the company, then went to clean myself up and followed them.

I hadn’t even reached the office when I overheard voices filled with admiration and gossip.

“Ellery, you’re so generous! One LV bag for each of us? Way more thoughtful than Mrs. Wintringham ever was!”

“I’m telling you, you and Mr. Wintringham are meant for each other. It’s just a shame someone else got in the way first.”

“That pink diamond ring on your finger is gorgeous. So perfect for your skin tone. Even his wife never got something like that. You’re really one of a kind.”

Ellery flashed her ring proudly. “No need to thank me, we’re family here! A man’s money should be spent on his girls, right?”

“You’re seriously amazing, Ellery. We’re all so jealous of you!”

“Jealous of what?” I asked, stepping inside in my heels. “Of her being the mistress?”

The room fell silent.

Ellery’s face dropped.

“I regard you as my sister out of respect because we’re both women,” she snapped. “And I even came to help you. But now you’re calling me a mistress? That’s just too much!”

Denisse's POV

“Help me? You think a mistress who stole my husband gets to say that?” I snapped back and grabbed her wrist. “That diamond ring from Cartier? It’s ten carats, worth a million. You really think you could afford that on your own?”

Ellery yanked her hand back, looking guilty but still trying to sound righteous. “I’ve been taking care of Wren for days. Isn’t it only fair I get something in return?”

I narrowed my eyes. “That’s marital property. Everything you’ve received while I’m still his wife, you’ll have to give it up.”

Realizing I wasn’t playing nice anymore, Ellery dropped the act.

She sneered. “No wonder Wren’s tired of you. You’re so calculating. Always pretends to be some strong career woman. Women like you are just masculine control freaks hiding behind fake power.”

I gave her a long look. “Still better than women like you, preaching sisterhood while spreading your legs for someone else’s husband.”

In that instant, her face turned red with rage. But not one of her little fans dared to speak up.

After all, I was the one holding their future in my hands. One word from me, and they’d be out the door.

Suddenly, Ellery clutched her stomach like she’d just remembered something and spat, “You're just a washed-up hag who can't even have kids. You’re probably already in menopause. You’re a disgrace to women. But me? I'm young. I can have children. I’m better than you.”

Having had enough of her, I slapped her hard.

“Don’t think you can wave a baby around like it’s a trump card,” I said coldly. “You’re not nearly strong enough to be my opponent.”

Then I turned and walked straight into Wren’s office.

Without even looking up, he said sweetly, “Ellery, how many times do I have to remind you to knock?”

I slammed the divorce papers down on his desk.

Only then did he glance up, and his smile disappeared.

Then, with his voice turned cold, he repeated, “Denisse! Don’t you know how to knock before entering my office?”

What a hypocrite.

But I wasn’t in the mood to argue.

I tapped the divorce agreement with my finger and said, “Sign it, Wren. I’m willing to walk away with nothing. But only on one condition: give me back my gold necklace. If not, I have no problem dragging both of us down.”

When I married him, I had nothing. But I’d fought by his side at the company for nearly ten years, so I wasn’t the same powerless woman I used to be.

He flinched when I mentioned the necklace just for a second, but quickly masked it, then grabbed the agreement and tossed it back at me.

“Denisse, this jealousy of yours is out of control. You’re not some impulsive young girl like Ellery. You should know by now what your actions will cost you.”

Right on cue, Ellery burst into the office, sobbing, and threw herself into his arms.

“Don’t blame her,” she whimpered. “She’s just mad about the ring you gave me. I can give it back, I don’t want it anymore.”

He stroked her swollen cheek gently, eyes full of pity.

Then he glared at me and roared, “Denisse, you hit her over a ring? After all these years as my wife, haven’t I given you enough? Was that really worth losing your temper over?”

I let out a bitter laugh.

Three years ago, I lost our wedding ring in a car accident.

He’d promised to buy me a new one, so I waited and waited.

But it was only to see that ring show up on her finger after three years.

How was I supposed to swallow that?

“You already know I’m not one to let things go. So do yourself a favor and sign the divorce papers. That way, we can walk away clean. Otherwise…” I trailed off as I looked between the two of them. “I’ll make sure you both pay for everything you’ve put me through tenfold.”

Ellery raised her head, putting on the wounded act again.

“I really was just trying to help,” she said, voice trembling. “But I guess Denisse misunderstood me. I’ll just leave. I don’t want to cause any more trouble.”

Then she ran out like the victim, and Wren glared at me before following her.

But before he could get to do so, I shouted, “Sign the papers, and return my necklace. If not, I’ll go to the press.”

Then I held up my phone, which I had been using to record everything since I had worked in the company.