Chapter 2 Keepsake

Because I didn't have custody of my son, I had to hand him over to Jay. However, I couldn't ensure his safety when I wasn't around, so I asked a friend to order a tiny recording device. I planned to put it in a children's watch and secretly monitor my son's situation. If Isabella and Jay tried to harm him, I could rush to his aid promptly.

As soon as I got the watch, I went to Jay's house to see my son. I told them I wanted to give him a keepsake. Jay casually put the watch on Ben, not suspecting anything. He had always been indifferent to our son's affairs, prioritizing his games over his son. He just reminded me of my monthly visitation rights, suggesting that I shouldn't visit so frequently.

Isabella, on the other hand, was less accommodating. She had begun to see herself as the mistress of the house and wasn't pleased when she saw me. She warned me not to visit Jay's house unnecessarily and assumed the role of the lady of the house.

I paid no attention to her, but she blocked my way, ridiculing my modest attire as if I were a middle-aged woman. She showed off her designer dress and the brand-name bracelet on her wrist, saying, "A woman who looks plain and doesn't dress up can't get by. Look at you; you're being despised by your husband. How pitiful."

I coldly snorted and mocked her for being nothing more than a mistress. She couldn't understand that inner refinement was something no amount of clothing or jewelry could match. She was limited to the role of a mistress.

Unbeknownst to Isabella, before I married Jay, I was a competent and refined career woman. However, after giving birth to Ben, I quit my job and became a full-time homemaker. I didn't have the energy for makeup and fashionable clothing. I even stopped buying clothes.

I gave all my time to the family, taking care of Ben until he turned five. I cooked three meals a day for Jay, never missing a single one. All the while, I had to endure the nitpicking of a critical mother-in-law who complained about the saltiness of the food. She also blamed me for not earning money to support the family and instead relying on my husband.

But all my dedication and hard work were in vain. After giving so much time and affection, I found out about Jay's infidelity and lost custody of my son. I was left in tatters, with nothing. I had poured all my time and emotions into my family, and it was all wasted. When a woman places her life's hopes in a man, destruction is never far away.

I watched Isabella, who was gloating and looked down on me. She was smug and acted as if she had already won the jackpot. In reality, she was slowly walking down the path to self-destruction.

During my last visit to see Ben, I noticed that something was amiss with Isabella's pregnancy. Based on my experience, a three-month pregnancy shouldn't look this big. Her belly appeared as if she were in her fifth or sixth month. She wasn't a large woman, so her pregnancy shouldn't be so noticeable.

It wasn't likely to be twins because if it were, she would have been flaunting it. I had already arranged for someone to investigate this matter, and there would be news soon.

Seeing that I was observing her, Isabella gave me an angry look. "What are you looking at? You are really shameless, coming to your ex-husband's house every other day. It's not a visitation day today, right? And giving a watch as a gift, that's so pitiful, it's laughable."

"You don't need to worry about it," I replied as I put the watch on Ben and instructed him not to take it off no matter what. I hugged him tightly, preparing to leave. Ben clung to me, clearly reluctant to let me go. Isabella forcibly pulled him away from me.

"Where are you going? What's the use of following her? Your mom doesn't want you anymore," Isabella spoke to Ben with an odd tone, and she sneered at me.

Ignoring Isabella's provocation, I turned to look at my son, who was now crying loudly and didn't want me to leave. Isabella scolded him. I had to restrain myself from reacting to Ben's cries and left Jay's house with determination. I needed to act immediately. I had to bring my son back home as soon as possible.