Chapter 1
As I was reviewing student handbook forms, a parent’s signature stared back at me—It was exactly my husband’s signature, and the handwriting was identical as well.
I practically jumped out of my chair with excitement, then immediately calling my bestie:
“Oh—my—gosh, let’s celebrate! My husband finally cheated!”
—
“Aiden, is your dad’s name Nathan Reed?”
I flipped the handbook confirmation form back and forth several times, studying the parent’s signature.
I couldn’t believe it, but it was definitely my husband Nathan’s handwriting.
Aiden blinked up at me. “Yeah, is something wrong, Miss Moore?”
I smiled. “Nothing really. Just know someone with the same name as your dad.”
Aiden’s eyes lit up briefly before dimming again.
“My dad’s super busy though. He only comes home to see me and mom like once a month.”
I gently patted his back. “Don’t worry, I’m sure he visits whenever he can.”
Inside, I was thinking: jackpot! This matched Nathan’s pattern perfectly—there was always at least one day each month when he wasn’t home.
I could barely contain my excitement until class ended. I immediately called my bestie.
“Get ready to celebrate! Nathan’s finally been caught cheating!”
Actually, Nathan and I ended up together just because of an arranged marriage. On paper, our relationship seemed harmonious enough.
He never deprived me of anything material—anniversary gifts, designer bags, jewelry—I had everything other women dreamed of.
Everyone envied me.
But only I knew that beyond these things, I had nothing real.
Nathan was completely clueless about romance. When I’d dress up in a pretty outfit for him, he’d never compliment me. He never once said he loved me out loud.
Whenever I cooked for him, he’d just complain about why I didn’t let the housekeeper handle it. Even the gifts I carefully selected for him were met with a dismissive “this wasn’t necessary” and “don’t bother next time.”
I couldn’t understand his world of finance and politics, and he made zero effort to understand my emotional needs.
I’ve been suffocating in this empty routine for years, wanting a divorce but never having a solid reason I could point to.
Life was becoming unbearable, which is why I applied for this elementary school teaching job. Never imagined it would lead me to discover such a massive secret.
Now I finally have grounds to bring up divorce.
But I can’t rush this. I need to gather concrete evidence first.
After that, I continued with my normal teaching routine.
When dismissal time came today, all the other kids had been picked up one by one, leaving only Aiden standing alone by the door.
“Aiden, who’s picking you up today? Did they get held up somewhere?”
He didn’t look disappointed at all—in fact, his eyes sparkled with excitement.
“My mom’s coming to get me today, Miss Moore. She told me she might be a little late.”
Usually, it was a driver who picked him up. I’d never seen his mom before, which explained why he was so excited.
I couldn’t help feeling a little eager myself. What kind of woman had Nathan been cheating with?
Just as I was wondering, a sugary-sweet voice called out.
“Aiden~”
Looking up, I saw a woman with chestnut waves stepping out of a car, wearing a tight pencil skirt that hugged every curve.
She was stunning—you’d never guess she was the mother of a seven-year-old.
But what really stopped me in my tracks was her all-too-familiar face.
“Tessa Reynolds?!!” I blurted out in shock.
