Chapter 2: 1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back
1132 Words
EVE
“I don't know who you guys know as Ethan's wife in there. But I'm his real wife.”
I showed him our wedding photo, luckily it was still saved in my phone because there were no other digital photos left.
Ethan's secretary was surprised to see the photo. He then bowed respectfully to me.
“I'm sorry ma'am, I didn't know Mr. Ethan had two wives.”
He handed me a glass of water.
“Take a sip of this ma'am. I am Davis, I will inform the CEO of your presence.”
“No, don't tell Ethan that I'm here. I want to ask you a few questions.”
I tried to catch my breath. Even swallowing water was difficult.
Now I also knew why Ethan always said he was going out of town for work every Thursday through Sunday. He must have met that woman.
“Who's the woman inside? I want to know everything you know about her.”
“Yes, ma'am. She is Mrs. Tiffany Bianca. Mr. Ethan once told Mrs. Tiffany on the phone that she was his first love. Mrs. Tiffany is a famous model, but she hid Mr. Ethan's identity as her husband so as not to affect the company. Everyone in the company knew the rule, that no one could leak information about Mr. Ethan being Ms. Tiffany's husband or they would be fired.”
All of this felt like the plot of a movie I saw. I didn't expect to have to experience this in my life, it was really heartbreaking.
My lips trembled to ask this, “how long have they been married?”
“7 years ago, ma'am.”
This time I was completely speechless. If it was 7 years ago, it means Ethan married that woman first and then married me.
Why was Ethan so heartless to me?
Why would he marry me if he already had a wife?
And why does his wife want it?
Was it because of Ethan's parents' request?
“Are you okay ma'am? You look so pale.”
How could I be okay?
On my husband's birthday, I found out the big lie he had neatly covered up.
I wouldn't want to marry Ethan if he was already married to another woman. I didn't want to take away another woman's happiness. But I also didn't know that I was the second wife.
I felt stupid for not suspecting Ethan at all.
I didn't know if Ethan's first wife knew about my presence or not.
“I'd like to see the CCTV monitor,” I asked Davis.
“Sorry ma'am, there is no CCTV in the CEO's office. Mr. Ethan wants privacy, so his room is excluded.”
I wanted to know what Ethan was doing there. Even though knowing it would hurt me, I at least wanted to know how Ethan looked at that woman. I wonder if his gaze is the same as when he looks at me or not.
“Can you do me a favor?”
“Please just tell me, ma'am.”
“Pretend to deliver the drinks there. But don't close the door. Leave a little gap so I can see through it. I promise this is the last time I will come here and trouble you.”
Although it took a while, Davis finally nodded, agreeing to my request. He brought two cups of coffee to Ethan's room and left the door slightly open so I could peek in.
I felt like a thief in my husband's office.
And what I saw at this moment, completely broke my heart.
I saw the woman sitting on Ethan's lap and not being bothered at all when Davis came in to deliver their drinks.
What hurt the most was that Ethan's gaze was softer and deeper as he looked into her eyes.
I patted my chest to catch my breath.
Ethan's room had also been decorated for his birthday celebration. There was a cake and presents on his desk too. They really looked like a harmonious married couple.
I should have been the one to surprise Ethan. My cake and presents should have been on his desk.
But over here I was Ethan's backburner, the one who was exiled and hidden away.
I stepped back slowly as Davis exited. The gift and the file I'd brought, I placed on his desk.
But then I looked at the envelope again.
Ethan wasn't usually absent-minded. He always brings everything he needs to the office, never missing anything like this.
My heart skipped a beat as my hand retrieved the envelope.
I slowly pulled out the paper inside the envelope.
A divorce lawsuit.
My breath catches, my hand trembles violently.
Divorce papers with Ethan as the plaintiff and me as the defendant.
I didn't even know our relationship was on the brink of ending. Everything had been fine.
Just some minor issues that have been going on lately.
I read the content carefully. He didn't even intend to tell me the real reason he divorced me. He was lying.
One thing that could be confirmed was that Ethan no longer needed me as his shadow wife.
I put back the important envelope that I thought was about Ethan's work.
“Please give this file and this gift to Ethan.”
I got into the elevator to leave this office. I didn't look back because I knew I would cry if I did.
My hopes of surprising my husband on his birthday were gone. I wasn't sure if I could consider him a husband again.
6 years is not a short time to keep a secret of this magnitude close. So I was sure he was an excellent liar.
I stopped at the edge of the river and sat on the chair that was here.
I looked at the cake that I had painstakingly made myself. The cake I made with love was rewarded with divorce papers.
“You're so pathetic, Eve.”
I beat my chest hoping the tightness would go away.
Even though I know what made me marry Ethan was to pay off my father's debt, it still doesn't mean I deserve to be cheated like this.
I am still a woman who wants to be loved by her husband, who wants to live happily with her little family.
But it looks like I'm going to have to suppress my desires again. Now I don't even have anyone anymore.
My phone rang, it was a call from Ethan.
I didn't want to pick up the call. I didn't want an explanation over the phone.
It was too late. I was already disappointed and knew all his lies.
Our marriage couldn't be fixed if he was the one who wanted the breakup.
- Writer
