The Depths of Affection

1

I knew that Lucas was keeping a lover.

The new finance employee at the company had long, flowing hair, and when she smiled, she looked radiant and confident.

Mr. Jones, my secretary, remarked that she resembled a younger version of me.

Later, he commented again, "No, not quite, she didn’t have your talent, Director White."

But regardless of how Mir. Jones judged her, Lucas was quite attentive to the company's junior staff.

However, if someone were to mention it, probably no one would believe it.

Because over the years, Lucas had built a reputation as a devoted husband.

Everyone watched as he stumbled along the path I had paved, finally gaining the confidence to stand by my side.

Everyone knew that in this relationship, he was humble and pitiful, struggling as if stuck in the mud.

A vast and endless struggle with no visible end.

Just like the desperate young man he had been in the beginning.

Standing on a crowded street, it seemed like he was drifting away from the rest of the world.

I locked eyes with him.

My gaze fixed on his face, approaching cautiously like a hunter.

I said to him, "Do you know the Walsh family? You bear a striking resemblance to the eldest son of the Walsh family.

"He had a car accident a week ago."

As he looked at me, the smile on my face grew even wider.

"Are you interested in the Walsh family's wealth? I can help you."

Lucas stared at me, and after a long while, he hoarsely replied with a "yes."

So, it could be said that the start of this relationship wasn't very simple.

But he appeared very simple-minded.

He was so simple-minded to the extent that his eyes revealed a burning love not long after.

Even I couldn't judge its authenticity.

Until Wendy Fox appeared.

2

When Wendy appeared for the first time, I saw something akin to a spark in Lucas's eyes.

At that moment, I was momentarily stunned, and in a daze, I remembered the person who had been fading from my thoughts over time.

I saw that spark in those eyes during my first meeting with that person too.

I thought, perhaps it was love at first sight.

And indeed it was.

Wendy hadn't been at the company for long, but her name started to appear more frequently in Lucas' conversations.

He told me that Wendy, from the finance department, was clever and deserved more attention from the finance manager.

He told me that he saw a resemblance to my younger self whenever he looked at her.

He even said, "If only I hadn't missed out on your youth."

Every time he mentioned this, I would scrutinize the smile on his face closely.

After being stared at for a while, Lucas belatedly suppressed his smile.

Want to know when they officially became a couple?

It was probably when Lucas stopped mentioning Wendy's name in front of me.

It wasn't a sign of distancing but rather a form of protection.

During his time at home, he frequently seemed absent-minded.

He was distracted during meals.

While tutoring our little one, he often answered phone calls—oh, by the way, we have a child.

Lucas concealed it, discreetly handling various matters for the clever girl he mentioned.

I asked him who he was calling.

Lucas smiled and explained, "It's a business partner."

I didn't ask further, showing a lot of trust in him.

Until half a month later, on our son Billy's birthday.

Our six-year-old son clung to his leg, wanting him to stay.

But he crouched down, comforting our son, saying, "Be a good boy, Daddy has some work at the company, I'll make it up to you tomorrow, okay?"

I watched the car's tail lights disappear from the window and looked at our saddened little one.

Memories long suppressed deep in my mind suddenly burst forth.

Thoughts that hadn't appeared in a while resurfaced.

I thought it would have been better if he were still here.

If he were still here, he definitely wouldn't have left on our son's birthday.

3

The next day, the photos taken by the private detective appeared on my office desk.

The photos showed two bodies tangled messily, lacking any aesthetic appeal.

Mr. Jones asked me, "What does Director White plan to do?"

I contemplated in my mind and finally said, "Whether it's the White family or the Walsh family, everything should belong to Billy."

Lucas could have a mistress, but he couldn't produce an illegitimate child.

Not the kind of illegitimate child tainted with the same dirtiness as him.

4

For a whole month, everything seemed normal.

In an effort to make it up to Billy, Lucas took him to an amusement park on weekends.

If Wendy, who was with her niece at the time, hadn't crossed our path, this memory could have been seen as a happy one.

He greeted Wendy with a smile.

The strikingly attractive girl had a stiff demeanor and didn't smile much.

I thought to myself, she still had some morals.

At least she wouldn't provoke and flaunt herself in front of the legitimate wife, which would be both immoral and unwise.

After meeting her three times at the amusement park.

I reconsidered my previous thoughts.

She probably found it thrilling to engage in this secret game with my husband behind my back.

Indeed, as Mr. Jones had said, she wasn’t very clever.

"Since we're so destined to meet, let's go together."

My smile was perfectly measured as if it had been calculated with a ruler.

Wendy hesitated for a moment but agreed, somewhat embarrassed, saying, "Then, I'll have to trouble Director White. My family isn't well-off, and we've never been to an amusement park.

"Coming along with Director White and Director Wood is definitely a good idea!"

Lucas's somewhat unpleasant expression softened because of her frequent appearances.

My smile became a bit fainter, but I didn't say anything.

Wendy's niece, standing nearby, was eagerly asking for ice cream.

Lucas, being a gentleman, volunteered to buy it.

Wendy and I rested under the sunshade.

I didn't pay much attention for a moment.

Suddenly, Billy confronted the little girl, pushed her down, and started crying and shouting, "You're lying!"

I stood up abruptly, but Lucas was quicker.

He helped the little girl up and questioned Billy, "Why did you push her?

“A real man doesn't bully little girls. Who taught you to do that?”

Billy was stunned for a moment, then burst into tears. He pointed at the little girl and said, "She said you're going to be her uncle, and I won't have a dad anymore!"

My heart twisted, and I met Lucas's slightly panicked gaze.

The cat is finally out of the bag.

I walked over, took Billy's hand, and smiled at Wendy, saying, "Can Miss Fox and your little niece provide an explanation? After all, it's a matter that could affect the Walsh family's stocks.

"No one wants such an allegation to be true, do they?"

Lucas's complexion visibly worsened.

5

I don't know when it started, but Lucas began to work on breaking free from my control.

I said no one wants such an allegation to be true.

But shortly after, news of the discord between Lucas and me spread in our social circle.

They all said that the White and Walsh families were about to have a falling out.

Otherwise, Lucas wouldn't be so arrogant, parading around with his mistress.

Rumors were constantly circulating among our circle, suggesting that Director Wood had been taking her to fancy restaurants, going shopping, and purchasing luxury items like bags, cars, and houses.

On the other hand, Wendy took him to eat street food, browse local markets, and wear cheap couple outfits.

Like young lovers in a passionate relationship.

They said, "This is a story of a prince falling for Cinderella."

Perhaps Lucas gave Wendy the confidence, so she danced her not-so-smart way into my life.

It happened during an auction.

One of the items up for auction was something I was determined to acquire.

Under the spotlight, the blue diamond sparkled brilliantly.

It had gained fame as the actual "Heart of the Ocean."

Someone had bought it to propose to me, and the crumpled, blood-stained receipt was still hidden in the safe at home.

But it disappeared in that car accident, the very one that was about to be auctioned. Maybe it still bore the bloodstains of that person.

Wendy saw me raise the paddle and tugged at Lucas's sleeve, acting coyly, "Director Wood, that diamond is so beautiful, I want it."

Lucas glanced at me but didn't make a move.

Wendy hesitated for a moment and then released her grip, looking somewhat embarrassed.

The "Heart of the Ocean" ultimately ended up in my pocket.

At the post-auction gathering, it seemed Wendy still couldn't fully grasp her position.

She walked over gracefully and softly called out, “Director White.”

I didn't even look at her, placing the blue diamond in a crimson velvet box.

Seeing that I was ignoring her, Wendy forced a smile.

She tilted the highball glass in her hand slightly.

The bright red liquid splashed toward the blue diamond.

I watched as those crimson drops accumulated on its surface, and suddenly stood up, delivering a slap to her face.

There was plenty of red wine on the table.

I lowered my eyelids, gazing down at her, pouring glass after glass of red wine.

I smiled and said, "Miss Fox, this isn't a story of a prince falling for Cinderella.

"Because the prince in your heart is nothing more than the Walsh family's illegitimate son.

"Without me, he would have struggled in the mud his whole life."