The DINK Deception

Chapter 1

The DINK Deception

Chapter 1

Daniel clearly recognized me.

He hadn't expected me to show up at the employer's house today—after all, I'd always followed his instructions obediently.

Earlier this morning, he had asked me to stay home and wait for him.

I had planned to rest, but then the employer suddenly texted me, saying her husband wanted braised fish and she didn't know how to make it.

She asked me to come over and make the fish, promising it wouldn't take much of my time.

So I came.

And thank God I did!

The moment our eyes met, a storm of emotions flickered across his face before settling into something eerily calm.

His grip on Nora's hand tightened a little, yet he spoke as if nothing had happened. "You must be the nanny who's been taking care of Nora. Thank you so much."

Then he extended his hand toward me, smiling. "Nora told me your name is Serena. It's a lovely name. If you take good care of her, we'll give you a raise after our baby is born."

I stared into his eyes, searching for even a flicker of guilt.

But no—he truly saw me as nothing more than a nanny.

Behind him, Nora raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a mocking smirk.

Numbly, I shook his hand, my fingers devoid of sensation as we touched briefly.

I kept my gaze locked on Daniel's face, remembering how he had berated my job while meticulously arranging for me to care for his pregnant mistress and their child.

When he saw the burns on my fingers from cooking, did he ever think of my struggles—or only of Nora enjoying the meals I made?

Daniel and I had known each other for eleven years, married for eight.

We had survived the "graduate-and-break-up" curse, endured the hardships of living in a basement.

When we finally gained a foothold in this city, he proposed.

I loved him, willing to spend a lifetime with him in a childless marriage. And I truly believed he had once loved me too.

Now, memories flooded back, and I realized the signs I'd missed.

Why his business trips always lasted several days longer than planned.

Who he was really with on those nights he claimed to be working late.

For eight years, his so-called child-free lifestyle had been a cage—only for me. He had stripped me of motherhood while fathering two children in another woman's arms.

When he excitedly told me about a client who needed a nanny, I had felt nothing but happiness at being needed.

Now, all that remained was bitterness.

At last, he couldn't stand my stare any longer. "What are you looking at? Stop gawking and clean this up. And don't ever step into this room again.”

Nora, ever the gracious one, patted me on the shoulder. "No worries. He's just moody. Go and clean up the broken frame, but leave the photo."

I looked at the shattered glass on the floor—like my shattered marriage.

Taking a deep breath, I crouched down to pick up the shards. The edges were sharp, nearly cutting my fingers.

"Serena, what's wrong with you?" Nora sneered. "Can't sit still when my husband's around? If you're that horny, there are plenty out there-stay away from mine."

Her tone was full of playful teasing.

So she had known who I was all along.

My hands trembled uncontrollably as I gathered the glass. Then, slowly, I picked up the photo—proof of his betrayal.

"Ms. Yates, since I broke the frame, let me take this photo to measure for a replacement."

I watched Daniel's reaction. He was straining not to look at me, pretending I was just some insignificant nanny.

"Oh no, Serena," Nora purred. "This photo is special. It's from our tenth anniversary—the original. Don't worry about the frame. We'll deduct the cost from your salary."

Every word stabbed into me.

Tenth anniversary? They'd been together for ten years?

Then what had I been for the past eleven?

Daniel stayed silent, but his hands clenched his pant legs—a nervous habit.

He did the same when he first met my father, beaming as Dad gave me away.

Now, his coldness chilled me to the bone.

Nora suddenly grabbed my wrist, squeezing hard until I let go. Daniel snatched the photo away.

Before I could react, she pushed me out. "Serena, my husband and I need privacy. Go home and rest. Don't come back the next few days."

Numb, I stood outside the closed door, realizing another door—my marriage—had just shut forever.

I returned home and began packing. Halfway through, Daniel returned.

He stood before me, fists clenched at his sides.

Silence stretched between us until I broke it.

"Daniel, the 'client' you introduced me to—she's the woman you've been with for ten years, the one who has two children with you, the DINK advocate, right?"

"Serena! It's not what you think! I love you! I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid you'd leave! Give me three days—I'll make this right!"

"Three days? Why would I give you three days?"

"Daniel, see you at the civil affairs office in three days."

Early in our marriage, he claimed to be DINK. I accepted it, embracing our child-free life.

To ease our financial burden, I became a nanny—only for him to criticize me relentlessly.

Just as life improved, he fathered two children with another woman and had the audacity to make me serve his "wife."

"Daniel, what's left to explain? Afraid I'd leave? So you hid your eight-year-old child?"

"Or are you going to say it was a young man's folly? Then tell me now—is Nora's baby yours?"

My voice shook with fury, but I held his gaze, clinging to my last shred of dignity.

"Stop being hysterical."

"Hysterical? Tell me in all conscience, Daniel Sutton, have I ever wronged you?"

As my voice rose, his impatience grew, a look I'd seen countless times before.

The man I once loved had rotted from the inside out.

I had seen him as almost flawless—someone whose small faults I'd overlook with time. But not anymore.

Daniel gripped my shoulders. "Serena! Seven years of marriage—how can you just throw it away?"

"Think about Grandma! She adores you! Do you want her health to worsen? If you stop this nonsense, I'll even give you a child. Isn't that fair?"

His words stunned me.

Grandma had always wanted a grandchild. My choice to remain childless had weighed on me.

He knew my guilt and weaponized it.

A bitter laugh escaped me. "Daniel, I misjudged you. You're not just a cheater. You're vile."

He scowled. "If you keep being unreasonable, the family heads will speak with you."

He always used family pressure to control me. I always tried to be understanding, always willing to compromise.

But not this time.

His phone rang. Recognizing the caller, he stormed out without another word.

Watching him leave, I felt numb.

Ten years of devotion had earned me a husband with a secret family and a role as his mistress's caretaker.

There was no greater failure under heaven than I...

I sat in silence for hours.

As I was about to call a lawyer, my vicious mother-in-law called.

Daniel had already tattled.

"Serena! Do you really think marrying into our family make you a swan? Except my son, who'd want a woman cannot have children?"

"My son is perfect for Nora! A gold-digger like you should know your place!"

"Nora's kind and considerate, unlike your worthless self! She is to give Daniel a second child. What's wrong with you serving her during her pregnancy? We're giving you the honor of tending to the Suttons' precious heirs. You should've been grateful!!"

"In the old days, you'd have been abandoned long ago! We let you stay out of pity! Daniel has options—what do you have?"

So everyone had known about Nora, everyone...

Only I had believed his DINK lies.

"Then let us divorce. You'll get your wish."

I hung up, blocked her, and deleted her contact.

A strange lightness filled me.

I should've seen it sooner.

Daniel had never hidden it well.

The perfume on his clothes, the lipstick in his briefcase—I'd swallowed his excuses to preserve our marriage.

Despite everything, I'd never considered leaving, convinced we loved each other.

Now? I'd make sure his reputation burned to the ground.

I compiled years of evidence and handed it to my lawyer.

By dawn, it was done.

With light makeup on, I went to the hospital where Grandma was staying, bringing fruits and nutritional supplements.

But Daniel was already there.

He brightened at the sight of me. "Serena! Grandma will be so happy to see you!"

I shoved him aside. "She'd be happier if you didn't have a mistress and love children."

Other patients turned to stare. Daniel flushed. "Serena! Don't slander me!"

I smirked. "Slander? Should I post the proof online?"

Before I could finish, he dragged me into the hallway.

To my surprise, Nora was there. So ridiculous.

Holding her belly, she smirked. "Ms. Shaw, what a coincidence! Daniel brought me for a checkup."

"Coincidence? More like premeditated, Miss Mistress."

Her face twisted. "Who are you calling a mistress? The unloved one is the real mistress! I'm carrying his child—you're the outsider!"

She hissed, "His mother prefers me! If I were you, I'd leave!"

Her eyes dropped to my flat stomach.

Daniel stood there, shamelessly composed.

But I couldn't explode. Grandma lay just beyond that wall.

Trembling, I glared at him. "How could you bring her here? Of all the hospitals in the city, you deliberately chose this one."

Nora tugged his arm. "Let's go, Daniel. Don't waste time on her."

She shot me a triumphant look. "Ms. Shaw, my husband and I are leaving now."

As they walked away, rage left me shaking.

But I steadied myself and returned to Grandma's bedside.

Later, my lawyer sent the divorce papers. I printed them and brought them to Daniel's mother.

Every month since our wedding, we'd visited her—and every time, she'd belittled me.

Nothing was ever good enough: the gift was inappropriate, the meal inadequately prepared, and without fail, those elegantly crafted insults about my failure to conceive.

Now, I wouldn't beg for scraps.

She flipped through the papers disdainfully. "Money? You worthless, barren cow! You couldn't even give my son an heir. You deserves nothing."

I didn't look at her. "The law decides that, not you."

She slammed the table. "In this house, I am the law! Over my dead body will you take a single cent from the Sutton family!"

"Then I wish you an expedited journey to the eternal bliss!"

"You dare..."

At that moment, Daniel burst in, roaring, "Serena! How dare you!"

He held Nora's hand, their child clinging to him.

"Apologize!"

I ignored him, my smile mocking.

The little girl pointed at me. "Daddy, why is this nanny at Grandma's house? Send her away! I don't want to see her. She is bad."

Daniel cooed, "Of course, sweetheart. If you don't like her, Daddy will fire her."

"Great. Send her away. Love you Daddy."

I laughed coldly. "'Daddy'? Sir, is this child even registered under your name? If not, she's a fatherless bastard. If she is, you've committed bigamy. Should I call the police?"

His face paled, but he recovered quickly. "Don't poison her ears! Is this how your agency trains nannies?"

Nanny. The word was a joke.

I thrust the divorce papers at him.

"If I'm just a nanny, then I quit. Sign this."

"Do it, and your 'precious child' can finally have your last name."