Chapter 3

Five years ago, when Ethan first proposed to me, his mother, Helen Carter, paid me a private visit.

"I don't particularly like you, Vivian, but you're at least from a decent background, unlike that gold-digger Serena. I stopped Ethan once, but I can't stop him a second time," Helen had said, her voice dripping with aristocratic disdain.

"But let me make one thing clear. If you don't have a baby within five years, and Ethan still refuses to sign your marriage license, you will pack your bags and leave him on your own. Deal?"

Without hesitation, I had agreed.

For me, just being able to stand beside Ethan was a dream come true.

Every girl has a secret crush, and Ethan was mine.

I had quietly chased after him for years, even when I knew his heart belonged to Serena.

"Mrs. Carter? What are you doing here?"

Ethan's secretary suddenly walked up behind me, her voice breaking my trance.

The movement outside caught the attention of the people inside. The office door swung open instantly.

I looked up and met Ethan's furrowed brows.

A minute later, the office was cleared. It was just the two of us.

"How much did you hear?" Ethan asked, his voice guarded.

"Everything," I said, my voice surprisingly flat. "I know you legally married Serena."

I didn't bother playing dumb.

"Since you know, I'm asking you to keep Serena out of this. It was my decision, not hers," Ethan said, stepping closer, his tone turning into one of arrogant reassurance. "Don't worry. To the public, you will always be Mrs. Carter."

I stood there, feeling a profound, chilling sadness wash over me.

"Didn't you tell me last week she was like family to you?"

Faced with my question, Ethan remained silent.

"So, tell me, Ethan. Between Serena and me... who is the actual mistress here?"

"Serena is not a mistress!" Ethan snapped defensively.

If Serena wasn't the mistress, then who was? Me? The woman who had lived with him as his wife for five years?

Ethan looked into my eyes, but he couldn't hold my gaze. He looked away, his guilt quickly morphing into anger.

"Enough, Vivian! I told you, you keep the title of Mrs. Carter. Isn't that enough for you? Stop being so dramatic!"

"Ethan, do you have any idea..."

Just as I was about to tell him about the agreement I made with his mother, his phone rang.

It was a custom ringtone. One he only used for her.

He picked it up, and a sweet, whiny voice echoed through the speaker.

"Babe! When are you coming home? I really want those cupcakes from the bakery near our old college campus. Can you go buy some for me now?"

"Of course, sweetie. I'm leaving right now," Ethan's voice softened instantly into a tone he had never used with me.

"Will this affect your work? I don't want to get in the way."

"Never. Nothing is more important than my wife."

He hung up and grabbed his coat. As he walked past me, he seemed to finally remember I was still in the room.

"Vivian, drop the attitude. I promise you, the title of Mrs. Carter will always be yours."

With that, Ethan turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him. I was left standing in the empty office.

A bitter wave of tears finally spilled over, and I couldn't stop them.

I didn't even remember how I walked out of that building. My body felt like an empty shell, hollowed out of all life.