Chapter 1

I receive a message from Theo Clark, the college student I financially sponsor. He wants to know what he should do because a wealthy woman wants to be his sugar mommy.

He is only a sophomore, so I advise him not to take shortcuts and to prioritize his studies.

But before I finish typing my message, he blocks me.

One day, I sprain my wrist, and my friend Daniel Colgan accompanies me to the hospital for a checkup.

He points at a couple standing outside the orthopedics department. "If your wife were here, she'd definitely be taking care of you just like that. Seriously, has she lost her mind? Why did she insist on expanding her business to a place like Nenton?"

Without looking up, I tell him, "She's doing it for our future. I don't blame her. She loves me, and that's all that matters."

We are about to leave when I run into the couple.

The woman cups the young man's face and kisses him, his leg in a cast. Her voice is gentle as she says, "Theo, I love you. Please don't get hurt again. It breaks my heart to see you like this."

I freeze. The woman is my wife, Esme Lambert, who is supposed to be in Nenton at this moment, and the man next to her is Theo, the college student I've been sponsoring for three years.

Chapter 1

"Esme?" I said, my voice hoarse. I could barely recognize it.

The woman, who had been full of concern just a moment before, suddenly stiffened. Esme Lambert turned around. When her eyes met mine, surprise and panic flashed across her face. But she quickly regained her composure and tightened her grip on Theo Clark's arm.

Theo lifted his head. There wasn't a trace of guilt in his expression. Instead, he feigned surprise. "Oliver? What are you doing here?"

The registration slips in Daniel Colgan's hands dropped to the floor. He widened his eyes in fury. "Esme! Aren't you supposed to be in Nenton? Who the hell is this guy?"

Esme ignored him and glanced at me, her voice indifferent. "Oliver, we're in a hospital. Don't make a scene."

How impressive. Even in a situation like this, she remained so calm, acting as though she were completely in the right.

Just three days ago, during a video call, Esme had stood at a desolate construction site overseas, complaining about the scorching heat and saying she missed my cooking.

Worried she wouldn't be able to handle the conditions, I had rushed to the mall that very night to pick out sunscreen and basic medicines for her, spending thousands on international shipping to get them to her.

But now, the woman who was supposed to be thousands of miles away was standing right in front of me, impeccably dressed, kissing the college student that I had been financially supporting for three years.

"What about the project in Nenton?" I asked.

Esme furrowed her brow, annoyed by my question. "I handed it over to professional managers a long time ago. I flew back last month. Theo is all alone in this city. He broke his leg recently and had no one to rely on. What's wrong with me taking care of him?"

"Oh? Is that so?" I laughed in disbelief, pointing at the lipstick mark on Theo's face. "What sort of injury would require a kiss from you?"

Hearing this, Theo looked at me with a wounded expression. "Oliver, don't be mad at Esme. I was the one who kept pestering her.

"She's very kind. When she found out that I was hurt and had no one to take care of me, she let me stay with her. I've never had a family. I don't want to have to face this alone."

His words sounded restrained yet dignified, as though he was the one who was pushed to the brink.

Esme patted him on the shoulder before turning to look at me frostily. "Oliver, watch your mouth. Theo isn't like you. He's not a schemer. I was the one who offered to take care of him. If you have a problem with it, take it out on me."

Exhaustion overwhelmed me at that moment.

During our five years of marriage, I gave up my position as chief designer to support Esme's career. I stayed behind the scenes, helping her with design plans and staying up late to revise proposals.

Years of intense work left me with a serious stomach condition, and the pain in my right hand sometimes made it impossible for me even to hold a pen.

Back then, she had stayed by my hospital bed and sworn that once the company got on its feet, she would let me return to the life I wanted and never let me suffer again.

But when the company finally stabilized, she told me she wanted to expand into the Nenton market, leaving me behind to manage the company for her and care for her sick mother.

I didn't even dare to tell her about my sprained wrist during our video calls, afraid that it would distract her.

But in the end, I was the only one who believed in the promise she made all those years ago.

"Esme, I'm not going to make a scene." I took a deep breath, trying to keep myself from shaking. "Let's get a divorce."

Chapter 2

Esme massaged her temples, impatience creeping into her voice. "Oliver, do you have to act out right now? Theo just finished his checkup. The doctor said he needs to rest and shouldn't get worked up. Just go home, okay? I'll explain everything to you later."

With that, she walked straight past me, supporting Theo.

As we brushed past each other, Theo turned his head and flashed me a triumphant smile.

"Old man," he mouthed.

I stood frozen in place. The searing pain in my wrist was nothing compared to my broken heart.

I was in a trance when I got home. Looking at the traces of our years together, I felt nothing but irony. The coat I had personally chosen for her was still on the rack, and our fifth-anniversary photo was hanging on the wall.

I lived like the perfect husband, yet I was anything but myself.

At 11:00 pm, the electronic lock on the front door beeped. Esme walked in, carrying the unfamiliar scent of men's cologne. She paused when she saw me sitting on the couch, then walked over.

"Oliver, it's so late already," she said, her voice soft. "Why aren't you in bed?"

When Esme reached out to touch me, I pulled back. Her hand froze in midair, and her expression darkened. "How long are you going to keep this up? I already told you that what happened today was an accident."

I looked at her coldly. "What? An accidental kiss? An accidental lie? Or an accidental betrayal to our marriage?"

Esme took off her coat. She plopped herself down on the couch opposite me and lit a cigarette. "Oliver, you used to be so reasonable."

She exhaled a cloud of smoke and looked at me through the haze. "Theo is only 20. He's young and full of energy. Those are the qualities that you no longer possess. Cut him some slack, okay? Don't spread rumors about him being my boy toy. Otherwise, his entire life could be ruined."

"What about me?" I clenched my fists. "Esme, we've been married for five years. I've sacrificed my future for the sake of your career, and I've ruined my health to the point where even holding a pen has become a struggle. And now, you're asking me to let this go?"

A trace of guilt appeared in Esme's eyes, but it quickly vanished. "I know you're hurt. That's why you will always be my husband. Once Theo recovers, I'll find him a job and have him move out. We'll take care of him like we're family. Isn't that good?"

I stared at her incredulously, wondering how she could make her rage-worthy words sound so justified.

"Esme, you make me sick." I grabbed the glass on the coffee table and smashed it near her feet. The sound of it shattering was jarringly loud in the quiet living room.

Esme sprang up, her face dark. "Oliver, I've already compromised a lot. What more do you want? Don't forget that you were the one who insisted on supporting Theo financially. I wouldn't have met him if it weren't for you! You caused this mess!"

Her words made me tremble with rage.

I first decided to help Theo because I saw my younger self in him. Even though he was poor, he wanted a good education. I scraped together money from my own earnings to cover his living expenses, bought him a laptop and textbooks, and even helped him plan his future.

I hoped that knowledge would allow him to change his destiny.

Yet, he chose to change his fate by becoming my wife's boy toy.

Esme's phone buzzed, and Theo's name appeared on the screen. She picked up right away, speaking softly. "What's wrong? Is your leg hurting again? Don't move, okay? I'm on my way."

She didn't even bother to look at me and grabbed her car keys. "I won't be back tonight. You need to get a hold of yourself."

With that, she slammed the door shut.

I sank onto the couch, staring at the shattered glass scattered across the floor, and laughed.

This was how little our five-year relationship meant when faced with the allure of a young man and the thrill of seeking a new romance.

I wiped away my tears and called Gillian Alcott, a senior from college who was now a lawyer. "Gillian, please draft a divorce agreement for me as soon as possible."

Chapter 3

The division of our assets was an essential part of the divorce agreement. I had poured years of hard work into Esme's company, and there was no way I was going to walk away with nothing.

The next day, I went to work as usual. Although I had moved into a more behind-the-scenes role, I was still a partner at the design firm. It had simply been a long time since I'd taken on a project personally.

I had just sat down when the receptionist hurried in, looking rather flustered. "Mr. Moore, there's a Ms. Lambert and Mr. Clark here looking for you. They've specifically asked for you to design a home suitable for recuperation."

My hand froze on the mouse, and a cold sneer rose from deep within me.

Esme had really gone overboard.

When I got to the reception area, Theo was perusing the design portfolio on the couch. Esme stood next to him, her hand idly resting on his shoulder.

Theo looked up and said, "Hi, Oliver. Esme told me you're the best designer in town. We definitely want you to design our new home, especially the areas to help with my recovery."

He deliberately emphasized the words "our new home", his eyes full of provocation.

Esme sat down and looked at me. "Oliver, the villa is meant to be a place for Theo to recover. It needs wheelchair access, handrails, and a dedicated physical therapy room. You've always wanted to take on a major project again, haven't you? I'll pay you twice the market rate."

The condescending look on her face made my stomach turn. I sneered. "You're certainly generous, Ms. Lambert. But I'm afraid you can't afford me. Besides, we don't take on clients who cheat on their spouses or liars."

Esme's expression darkened. "Oliver, don't push your luck. I'm giving you a way out here."

"A way out?" I looked into her eyes. "Out of what? Esme, do you think that if you throw a little money at me, I'll forgive you like I always did?"

Theo tugged on Esme's sleeve. "Esme, it's fine. If Oliver doesn't want to design our house, we'll find someone else. I don't want you to argue with him because of me."

"Don't worry about it," Esme replied, holding his hand reassuringly. When she turned toward me, her gaze turned vicious. "Oliver, with just one word from me, you won't land another project in this industry."

"Go ahead." I met her gaze without flinching. "I dare you."

Just then, Theo suddenly moaned in pain, clutching his knee. "Esme, my leg hurts again. I think I may have accidentally bumped it earlier."

Esme's face drained of color. She immediately called the driver and her assistant over to help Theo into his wheelchair. Before leaving, she glared at me. "Oliver, if Theo suffers any lasting damage to his leg, I won't spare you!"

I watched them leave with a frosty expression on my face. Then I turned to the receptionist and said, "Go get some disinfectant and mop this place three times. It's repulsive."

Chapter 4

Theo got hospitalized after his so-called leg injury flared up, and Esme blamed me for it.

That afternoon, my mom, Anna Litt, called. "Oliver, did something happen between you and Esme? Why did she suddenly stop paying for your dad's medical bills?"

My head buzzed. I felt anger surge through me.

My dad, Josh Moore, had been receiving dialysis at a private hospital for his acute uremia. Esme used the company account to pay his medical expenses. It was one of the terms we agreed on when I gave her some of my shares.

I dialed Esme's number right away. When she answered, her tone was smug. "Oliver, are you ready to admit you were wrong?"

"Esme, if you're upset with me, then take it out on me!" I snapped. "Why did you stop paying my dad's medical bills?"

She chuckled. "Theo's leg injury has worsened because of you. He's currently at the hospital undergoing examinations. Consider your dad's medical expenses as compensation for what you did to Theo. Come to the hospital and apologize to him in person. Only then will I resume paying your dad's bills. "

"In your dreams!" I hung up.

I checked my account balance. I had invested the majority of my savings in Esme's business over the years, so I didn't have nearly enough cash on hand to pay Dad's medical expenses for the upcoming month.

Left with no other option, I rushed to the hospital hoping to persuade the doctor to give me more time.

When I arrived, I saw Mom arguing with Esme. She had long suffered from a heart condition, and she was clutching her chest, her face pale.

"Esme, you can't be this cruel. Oliver went through so much with you. Are you seriously going to cut off his dad's treatment because of another man?" Mom's voice was full of anguish as she clutched Esme's sleeve.

Esme shook her off impatiently. "Anna, I'm not being cruel. Oliver went too far, okay? He deliberately provoked Theo, knowing he was injured. I'm just teaching him a lesson."

"I know my son better than anyone! You're the one who cheated on him!" Mom shot back, trembling with anger.

"Enough!" Esme's expression fell. "You're my elder, so I won't argue with you. But if Oliver doesn't apologize to Theo, I won't be paying for Josh's medical bills."

With that, she turned, wanting to leave.

Mom was so overwhelmed with anger that she fainted on the spot.

"Mom!" I yelled, rushing over to catch her falling body.

Esme turned back. When she saw what had happened, she paused. Just as she was about to walk over to us, her phone rang.

Theo's voice was low and restrained. "Esme, my knee suddenly hurts. Can you please come over?"

Esme glanced at Mom, who was already unconscious, and then at her phone. "Oliver, stop with the pity act," she said. "Apologize to Theo now. Don't use your mom's health to manipulate me."

Then, without any hesitation, she walked toward the orthopedic unit.

I watched her walk away, feeling the last fragment of my love for her vanish completely.

In the past, she had insisted that my parents were her own and would have hurried around nervously even if Mom just had a cold. But now, when Mom had a possibly fatal heart attack, she wrote it all off as an act.

I shouted for the doctor as tears rolled down my face.

In the end, there was no way for our five-year marriage to end amicably.