Cheating Ex Begs for My Mercy

My name was Camila Stevens. My husband, Alexander Tucker, has fallen in love with someone else. I should have seen it coming. What man could resist the relentless pursuit of a woman from a wealthy and powerful family, a woman who was both charming and stunning? The bond we forged growing up together, it seemed, couldn't withstand the onslaught of passionate love. I had decided to let go. Without societal opposition and me standing in their way, their different social classes and values had become the true test of their love. Alexander and a heiress' love seems to be nothing more than a dazzling firework display—a fleeting spectacle leaving behind only a pile of ashes. Their love didn't last long before Alexander began to regret it. ***** It had been three days since Alexander last came home. I was lying in bed, barely conscious, crippled by menstrual cramps. He used to know my period better than I did. The slightest discomfort from me would have him preparing soup and leaving it by the bedside. He'd take care of all the chores, never letting me touch a drop of cold water. But now, he seemed to have forgotten that I was uncomfortable during this time of the month. I stared blankly at the ceiling, wondering when everything changed. Was it a month ago when his business trips became more frequent, keeping him away for days on end? Or was it three months ago when he started working late, coming home later and later each night? Actually, I knew it all began six months ago, the moment he met Ella Ross, the heiress of the Ross Group. "I'm home. What's for dinner? Why is it so dark in here?" Alexander pulled his suitcase toward the bedroom. "Didn't you make dinner? "I bust my a*s on a business trip, and I couldn't even get a warm meal when I get back? Is this how you fulfill your wifely duties? "Are you on your period again? "Don't all women go through this every month? Why are you acting like you're so special that you couldn't do anything?" His growing impatience sent chills down my spine. He didn't know that a strange account added me on w******p. Every time he worked late or went on a business trip, that w******p account sent me a picture of two hands intertwined. The man's fingers in the picture were slender, and I desperately wished I could ignore the small, red mole on the knuckle of his index finger. But I've held those hands for over a decade. I knew them all too well. I knew it was Ella. A woman's intuition was incredibly sharp when it came to infidelity. I had cried, made a scene, and confronted him. His initial panicked denials turned into impatient rebuttals, and now, bringing it up only resulted in him storming out. How did we get here? We grew up together. We were the best of friends throughout our childhood. In high school, our feelings for each other blossomed, and we shyly embarked on a relationship. For university, we chased our dreams, attending schools in different cities. Four years of long distance didn't weaken our bond; instead, it made us realize each other's importance and taught us to cherish what we had. After graduation, we seamlessly transitioned into marriage. It had been three years since. He had been a part of my entire youth, the most important and trusted person in my life. We had been through so much together—the joy of playing together as children, the thrill of our first kiss, the excitement of reuniting after being apart during university, the tears of joy of our wedding day as we held each other... How did things become like this? I didn't understand. My heart ached. ***** The next day at work, my direct supervisor, Sofia, called me to her office. After graduation, I fought tooth and nail, going through rounds of interviews to land a job at a Fortune Global 500 company. "Camila, have you thought about what I mentioned before, about going to the headquarters for a year of training? "I really hope you'll consider it. It's a great opportunity. You've been with our department since graduation, and I've witnessed your growth firsthand. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, you'll be promoted to supervisor when you return. "Camila, you're so young. This is the time to focus on your career. I know you're hesitant to be so far from home, but it's just for a year. It'll be over soon." The headquarters was planning to launch a new system and was preparing for a full rollout. They were currently short on experienced personnel. If Alexander and I were on good terms, I would have jumped at this opportunity. A year of training, followed by a guaranteed raise and a potential promotion to management—it was an opportunity I had been waiting for. It would be a huge boost to my career development. But now, Alexander and I were on the verge of separation. If I left at a time like this, what would become of the years we've spent together? I couldn't bear to think about it, nor was I willing to accept it. "Sofia, a lot has been going on in my family during this time. Is it okay if I want to think about it some more?" "Well." Sofia sighed. "Camila, the head office is going to finalize the candidate next month at the latest. You've been with me for so long. I want to give you a slot in our department in my heart. Take the time to think about it." I still couldn't let go of Alexander. The past ten years were too wonderful for me to bear such a sunk cost. I believed he had just made a mistake, a misstep. It was like when we were kids, and I broke his favorite toy. He was just a little boy then, pouting with tears welling up in his eyes, but he still told me it was okay. In middle school, when I lost his summer homework, he just patted my head with a sigh, saying, "You silly goose, so careless. What are you going to do without me by your side?" In college, he came to visit me in the city. It was pouring rain, and we ran hand-in-hand without an umbrella. I accidentally pulled him, causing him to trip and fall. His white shirt was covered in mud, but he was only concerned about whether I was hurt, not caring about himself at all. His worried and caring eyes, even now, the memory still brings sweetness to my heart. I thought I should be as forgiving of him as he'd been of me. 'This is his first mistake; I should forgive him. We can go back to how we used to be.'