Chapter 1

At the airport, I brought our son to pick up his mother.

I had hoped to surprise her, but instead I witnessed quite a spectacle.

My darling was embracing a young stud, laughing and chatting, completely oblivious to the stares of those around them.

I covered our son's eyes and turned to leave.

1

When Melody got home, I was waiting for her in the kitchen.

A flash of guilt crossed her face. "Brent, you've been busy at home all by yourself these past few days. I'm sorry. Let's eat."

In our six years of marriage, I could count on one hand the number of times Melody had said something like that.

It instantly reminded me of what I'd seen at the airport, and how she'd answered my call two nights ago, breathlessly saying she was at the gym before abruptly hanging up.

So that's how it is...

All the signs were there. It seems she's been cheating.

Suddenly, it felt like a boulder was pressing on my chest. I could barely breathe.

"I'm not hungry. You eat by yourself."

With that, I went back to our room alone.

Before long, Melody sat down next to me, her tone slightly irritated. "Brent, we haven't seen each other for a week, and your temper's gotten worse! How dare you treat me like this?"

Hearing that, I let out a cold laugh.

"Aren't your precious employees always available to you? You're so busy, and I'm just the guy who cooks for you at home. How could I dare offend you?"

Perhaps sensing something off in my tone, Melody quickly explained, "This business trip was really hectic. That's why I didn't have time to call you. Don't be upset."She opened her suitcase and pulled out a T-shirt, handing it to me. "Here, I bought this especially for you. Try it on and see if it fits."

Seeing my lack of reaction, she sighed softly and said, "No matter how busy I am, I never forget about our little family. Look, I bought matching outfits for the three of us. You used to not want me to wear couple's outfits, but family matching outfits should be okay, right? Come on, try it on."

What bullshit family outfits?

It's just to appease me.

Without a second thought, I tossed the shirt aside.

She finally lost her patience.

"Brent! Are you done throwing your tantrum? This time, I just had Fintan come along on the business trip. He's my junior from school and my employee. He just wants to gain more work experience, and there's nothing wrong with me looking out for him, is there?"

I looked up mockingly. "Your junior seems to want to learn more than just work experience."

Hearing this, she immediately launched into a tirade: "What are you implying? Brent, you're the one with the dirty mind, seeing everyone as shady."

"You can't just be lazy and expect to coast through life! I'm out here busting my ass for this family, traveling all over. If you'd just put in a little effort, would I, a woman, need to go work abroad?"

"Don't you know what people are saying out there?"They say I'm keeping a toyboy, and you don't seem to care at all. Do you have any idea how I can't hold my head up in front of them?"

For three years, every time we argued, she would repeat these same lines over and over.

Brent's useless, a kept man, a toyboy.

In the past, I would always apologize first.

I knew her temper, and I used to think that since I chose to be with her, I should be more accommodating.

But not today.