Everyone in Salt City knew that Michael, the city’s richest man, doted on his wife as if his life depended on it.

As his wife, I was once the object of everyone’s envy.

But when Rachel appeared, I realized for the first time that even the one who loved you the most did not have their heart set in stone.

Afraid I would find out, he hid Rachel in a villa on the outskirts of Salt City and spoiled her beyond imagination, all in a place I could not see.

Yet every time he was intimate with her, Michael would still warn her coldly, “If you ever let Evelyn find out about this, your good days will be over.”

But she was never obedient. Relying on Michael’s favor, she surreptitiously flaunted herself before me every day.

Her presence constantly reminded me that Michael was no longer the man who only had me in his heart.

So, I chose to respect his decision and vanish from his sight.

After I left the villa, I wandered the streets for a long time. It was late at night when I returned home.

As usual, Susan, the housekeeper, brought over some alternative medicine and placed it before me.

A faint metallic tang lingered in the air. I breathed in the familiar scent and fell into a daze.

After marrying Michael, we never conceived a child. A hospital check revealed my womb was the one at fault. It would be difficult for me to conceive.

When I found out, I had wept endlessly. Michael could not bear to see me in that state, so he searched the entire country for renowned doctors.

He finally found a highly respected local practitioner of traditional alternative medicine. That practitioner claimed that blood drawn from a man’s fingertip could be used as a catalyst to help treat a woman’s infertility.

Since then, Michael carried a small knife with him at all times. That way, he could draw blood whenever I needed it.

Over the years, his fingertips had been cut so many times they no longer looked the same.

He even gave up his dreams of playing the piano.

I drank the tonic he prepared with his blood for five years.

I once thought he simply wanted me to recover quickly so that we could have a child together.

I never imagined that his sacrifice was only to ensure I would never bear his child.

At that thought, I gave a bitter smile and shook my head.

I was already struggling to conceive, so why would he go so far?

It seemed clear he truly never wanted me to give birth to his child.

When Michael entered the room, I was still staring blankly at the bowl in my hands.

Seeing me like that, he pulled me into his arms and asked softly, “What are you thinking about, honey? Is the medicine too bitter? Do you want me to get you some candy?”

As he spoke, he seemed to produce a piece of candy from his pocket magically.

Looking at his gentle expression, my stomach churned violently.

I forced down the disgust and said calmly, “It’s nothing. Maybe the wind got to me while I was out earlier, so the smell of the medicine is making me feel sick.”

Michael’s lips pressed into a worried, tight line.

“The weather’s colder these days, and you’re not dressed warmly. Are you feeling unwell? Let’s go to the hospital for a checkup.”

I shook my head.

“It’s fine. I already feel much better.”

When I persisted, he gave up the idea of going to the hospital.

My eyes stung when I looked down at the bowl in my hands.

Michael truly wanted nothing more than to keep me from ever bearing his child.

If he really liked Rachel, I would have willingly conceded. There was no need for him to scheme against me so cruelly.

After I finished the medicine, Michael gently wiped away the residue at the corner of my lips.

He carried me to the bed, picked up a German book, and read it slowly.

As a translator, I needed to listen to German. Ever since our marriage, Michael had read these German journals to me every night before I went to sleep.

For five years, he had never once stopped.

I did not want to waste his time, so I told him, “I already have materials and videos for this. You work so hard every day. You do not need to read anymore.”

That night, he pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead and spoke to me tenderly.

“Evelyn, I’d rather do it for a lifetime.

“I want you to see me and to hear me every night before bed and every morning when you wake.”

For the past five years, he had always put my needs before his, no matter how minuscule. He handled everything himself. Even after years of marriage, he never steered close to any other woman. Even when out with friends, he never stepped into bars.

Michael was young, outstanding, and the richest man in Salt City. My mother-in-law had long wanted to push women at him when my belly showed no movement for years.

Each time, he refused. For my sake, he even fell out with his family.

During that time, his family struck back fiercely, trying to suppress him everywhere.

When I saw his haggard face, I begged him through tears more than once to separate.

But every time, he held me tight in his arms and said firmly, “We will not separate. Never. No matter what happens, we must stay together.”

I even once envied myself for having such a good partner like Michael.

The warmth beneath me was tender, and when I returned to my senses, I realized Michael had already carried me to the bed.

He tucked in the quilt for me and brushed my brow with his fingers.

I frowned and turned away from his hand.

“I’m sleepy. Stop moving.”

His hand froze in midair, then he lightly rubbed my head.

“Then go to sleep.”

The moon rose high. Beside me came steady breaths. I could not sleep, so I opened my eyes.

Michael’s familiar, steady presence wrapped around me. His large hand was locked firmly around my waist.

He was holding me in his sleep. That was real. However, his betrayal was also real.

The next day, Michael said he wanted to take me to a newly released movie.

Before I could answer, the doorbell rang.

The butler stepped in. Through the gap in the door, I thought I saw the edge of a white skirt.

“Sir, someone is here for you.”

Michael frowned. He caught sight of the figure outside, and his voice carried a faint, unsteady panic.

“Didn’t I say I am not working today? Who would show up at my door?”

I squeezed his hand to calm him.

“Don’t get upset. Maybe it’s an urgent matter from the company.”

I glanced sideways at the figure outside the door.

It was Rachel.

I asked the butler to bring her in, but Michael stopped me first.

He saw my gaze, and his eyes flickered before he explained himself, “Evelyn, I just remembered the company does have a pressing issue. I may need to head back and deal with it. Don’t worry, I will be back very soon, and then we will go see the movie together, all right?”

Hearing that, I held back the agitation in my chest.

I said firmly, “Since it’s work matters, go ahead. Don’t worry about me.”

At that, he hurriedly kissed my forehead and strode away.

My eyes grew moist as I watched the car fade into the distance.

It was the first time Michael had left me for another woman. It was also going to be the last.

After he left, the restlessness in my chest would not subside. My mind was filled with images of Michael and Rachel spending time together.

In the end, I simply told the driver to follow them.

Two kilometers from the house, I spotted a familiar car.

Rachel leaned softly against it as Michael held her in his arms.

“I told you not to appear in front of Evelyn. Why didn’t you listen?”

Tears rolled down her delicate face. She pouted and spoke aggrievedly.

“Michael, I only wanted to share some good news with you. I didn’t mean to appear in front of her.”

She lowered her gaze to her belly.

“I went to the hospital. Michael, we are having our own baby! I was too happy, which is why I couldn’t stop myself from coming. Why are you being so mean? You scared me and the baby…”

Michael froze for a long moment before he regained his senses.

“You are pregnant? You mustn’t move about so much! You’ll upset the baby.”

Rachel clung to his arm and shook it coquettishly.

“I’ll listen to you. Then, can you stay with me today? I do not know why, but after having the baby, I miss you even more.”

Michael’s voice was cold.

“No. I promised Evelyn I would take her to the movies today.”

Rachel bit her lip unwillingly. Her pitiful eyes brimmed with tears.

“Fine then. I will just sit in that cold villa with the baby and wait for the great president Michael to come home.”

A flicker of emotion crossed his eyes. He sighed helplessly.

“Don’t make me do this again.”

Her eyes lit up. She leaped with joy and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.

Michael frowned at her as she bopped up and down.

“Be careful. You’re about to become a mother. How could you still be so reckless?”

Watching their intimate actions, my heart felt as though a blade had carved a gaping wound into it.

After so many years of marriage, that tender gaze of his had only ever belonged to me.

In the business world, everyone called him a ruthless, decisive, cold-faced president. Only at home would he show me his tender side.

That same tender side had emerged in the presence of another woman.

His love was no longer mine alone.

Their car sped away. I gritted my teeth and told the driver to keep following.

Michael took Rachel to many of the places he and I had once visited together.

The places tied to my past with Michael were now becoming shared memories with another woman.

By dusk, they finally headed toward a villa on the outskirts of Salt City.

Lights glowed from within, and their silhouettes appeared against the glass.

They embraced as their figures became entwined.

I stood outside the villa in silence. I did not know how long I watched.

When my eyes burned dry, I finally let them shut slowly.

Back in the car, I ordered the driver in a cold voice, “Michael must never know about today.”