Chapter 1 Infidelity

Evelyn White always believed that even the worst marriage could still maintain respect.

Even if the love was gone, it could still be held together by responsibility.

Unfortunately, she had misjudged Arthur.

Late at night, her best friend, Sophia Martin, sent her a photo on Facebook.

The man in the photo was tall and stern, his suit half undone, stepping out of a hotel room.

His shirt was mostly unbuttoned, and he looked lazy and satisfied.

The woman clinging to him had perfect makeup and a disheveled dress.

It was obvious what had just happened.

Arthur Collins, coming out of another woman's bed.

Evelyn's fingers gripped her phone tightly, the screen lighting up and going dark repeatedly.

Emotions churned in her chest.

Married for seven years, she was seen by the outside world as Mrs. Collins, the envied wife of the Collins family, living a life of luxury and wealth.

But only she knew that in the Collins family, she was always the ordinary, unrefined woman.

Elizabeth despised her for lacking a prestigious background, and the Collins family members gossiped behind her back, saying she was a social climber who didn't belong.

Even her two sons were often told, "Your mom is useless," "Your mom is embarrassing."

She gritted her teeth and endured it all.

Because she couldn't forget the promises Arthur had made.

That confident man had once held her hand and said tenderly, "As long as I'm here, you don't have to fear any rumors."

He had also held her the night before their wedding, promising, "I will protect you for life and make you the happiest woman."

Back then, she believed him.

She thought they were in love.

She thought he would really protect her and shield her from all storms.

She thought she was about to become the happiest woman in the world.

So, she had defied her family's objections and married into the Collins family, even cutting ties with her own relatives.

But now, all her persistence seemed laughable.

In the end, it couldn't withstand the seven-year itch.

Her phone rang again; it was Sophia calling.

"Evelyn, did you see it?"

Evelyn's fingers clutched the phone tightly, her knuckles white, her voice hoarse. "Yeah."

She only responded softly, but it felt like it took all her strength.

"I can't believe it, he's so disgusting." Sophia was furious, her voice trembling despite being lowered. "I kept telling you to endure it, thinking he was at least the father of your children, that you could give them a complete family. But what about him? He treats the family like a joke and you like you're invisible!"

Evelyn didn't respond. Her throat was dry, and her chest felt tight.

Her stomach churned as if it were on fire, acid rising.

"Evelyn, say something." Sophia was anxious. "Don't scare me. You can't be making excuses for him, can you? What's there to hold on to with a man like that?!"

Evelyn leaned against the cold wall, her vision darkening.

She opened her mouth but couldn't say anything.

The photo on her phone screen replayed in her mind over and over. No matter how much she wanted to deceive herself, it was useless.

Her stomach heaved suddenly, and she ran to the sink, dry heaving.

Sophia's voice on the other end of the phone became faint.

Evelyn panted heavily, tears uncontrollably streaming down her face.

Even thinking about the meals she had carefully prepared, hoping the family could sit down and enjoy together, now only brought pain.

The next morning, Sophia took her to the hospital.

"Since you need a check-up anyway, you really scared me yesterday."

The fluorescent lights in the waiting area hurt her eyes, and the air was filled with the smell of disinfectant.

The doctor adjusted his glasses and handed Evelyn the test results. "Congratulations, you're pregnant, six weeks along."

Evelyn was stunned, her palms cold.

Pregnant.

She tried to suppress the sting in her eyes.

This child came so unexpectedly, she didn't know how to react.

Sophia's eyes reddened. "Evelyn, what are you going to do?"

"This has nothing to do with Arthur. This is my child."

Evelyn lowered her head, her fingers gently touching her abdomen, her mind flashing back to the photo from last night.

Arthur's casual tenderness, never given to her, was given to another woman.

Her throat tightened, and she finally vomited violently in the hospital bathroom.

When she returned to the Collins residence, the house was lively.

Elizabeth Collins was laughing with some relatives. When she saw Evelyn, her eyebrows raised.

"Where did you run off to? A woman with no skills can only stay in this house."

Arthur's aunt, Lyanna Collins, scoffed, shaking her cup. "With Arthur's looks and abilities, how did he end up marrying you? The Collins family must have terrible luck."

Arthur's sister, Lucy Collins, looked up from her phone. "If it were Seraphina, she'd be dignified wherever she went. Arthur wouldn't be a laughingstock."

Every word was like a needle in her ear.

Evelyn didn't argue, just clenched her fists tighter.

Her two sons were playing video games on the couch.

The younger one looked up at her and mimicked the adults. "Mom, why aren't you as pretty as Seraphina? At the last parent-teacher meeting, all my friends' moms looked nice, but you didn't dress up!"

Evelyn felt her heart bleeding.

Seraphina Belmont was Arthur's first love. They were a perfect match, but Seraphina had gone abroad for her studies.

The Collins family thought Seraphina was too independent and opposed their relationship, leading to their perfect missed opportunity.

And that led to Evelyn and Arthur.

Now, Seraphina was back.

She wore a light-colored dress, elegant and poised, sitting next to Elizabeth, chatting softly.

Seeing the children gather around, she bent down and took out two exquisite gift boxes from her bag. "These are gifts I brought back from abroad for you."

The twins' eyes lit up, and they immediately ran to Seraphina, sweetly calling, "Thank you!"

Elizabeth beamed with satisfaction, holding Seraphina's hand and praising her.

"You're so sensible, from a good family, well-mannered. If Evelyn were half as good as you, Arthur wouldn't be embarrassed."

Lyanna chimed in, "Exactly, a woman like her should be the Collins family's daughter-in-law."

Seraphina smiled gently, as if to be modest, but still followed Elizabeth's words, softly saying, "Evelyn is just a bit too soft-hearted, but she's actually quite nice."

Elizabeth snorted, not buying it. "Soft-hearted? That's useless! Seraphina, you don't need to speak for her."

The room was filled with laughter and praise, all revolving around Seraphina.

Evelyn was the only one who felt out of place and unnecessary.

Standing at the door, Evelyn watched her two children snuggle up to Seraphina, saw the love and approval in Elizabeth's eyes, and felt a sharp pain.

They looked like a real family.

She said nothing, silently returning to her room.

She took out the divorce papers from the safe and signed her name without hesitation.

She should have realized long ago that Arthur never truly cared about her.

Since that was the case, there was no reason to stay.

Evelyn touched her abdomen and whispered.

"It's okay, baby. Mommy will take you away."