Chapter 3

After calming down, I called my father in London. It was six hours behind here, just afternoon. "Dad, Xavier cheated. I'm getting a divorce. Please withdraw the money you invested in his company."

Xavier never knew. When his company was on the brink of bankruptcy, it was my father who invested as a silent partner to save it. My parents divorced when I was very young. I stayed in China with my mom and only reconnected with my dad a few years ago, learning he'd built a successful company abroad. To secure that investment for Xavier, I flew overseas and endured my stepmother's cold stares and harsh treatment.

Her son squirted water in my face with a water gun—I had to bear it. She made me massage her legs and pour her foot bath water—I forced a smile. Even at the dinner table, when she called me a "beggar" and cursed me as bad luck, I pretended not to understand.

My father favored sons over daughters, but because he felt guilty toward me, he agreed to help Xavier. And since my mother hated him deeply, I never dared mention it. Xavier, meanwhile, believed his own brilliance had attracted the investor. Knowing his pride, I never corrected him.

I didn't sleep all night. The next day, I took Ivy to kindergarten as usual. Curious about what Lily looked like, I went to the café across from Xavier's company. Sitting by the window, I waited three hours. Finally, in the evening, Xavier emerged—followed by a young, beautiful girl with a sweet smile.

I texted my mom to pick Ivy up from school. Not wanting to alert Xavier, I hailed a taxi and followed his car. It drove into a newly built villa district by the river. The area was quiet, with only one villa lit up. The balcony door on the second floor was open, white curtains fluttering in the wind.

Through the gap, I saw Lily wearing a bunny outfit—pink ears on her head, a black chain around her neck. Xavier leaned back on the sofa as Lily knelt giggling on his lap, using her teeth to undo his shirt buttons one by one. His eyes burned with desire, fixed on her as if he wanted to devour her whole—nothing like the indifference he showed me. Lily's head moved lower, down his abdomen... Xavier shuddered, his throat bobbing. Moments later, he impatiently pulled her into his arms and kissed her fiercely.

I watched them cling to each other. Watched Xavier pin Lily against the floor-to-ceiling window. The white curtains silhouetted their tangled, moving bodies. I raised my phone. Zoomed in. Took multiple photos and recorded a video. Evidence was far more useful than tears or rage. You can't appeal to the conscience of a cheating man.

That night, after putting Ivy to sleep, I texted Xavier: I agree to divorce, but wait until after Ivy's fifth birthday next month. The withdrawal of funds needed time to process. But I didn't expect Xavier—usually so composed—to be this impatient.

At a mutual friend's birthday party, knowing I'd be there, he openly brought Lily along. I arrived late due to traffic jam. Standing outside the private room, I heard Xavier's friend Shawn urging him, "Seriously, Xavier? You're playing for real? Girls like her aren't simple—don't let that pretty face fool you. Lena stuck with you through the hardest times. She's the real deal, someone who truly wanted a life with you."