Chapter 1
After five years of marriage. Hugo Peterson finally agreed to set his work aside so we could take a short trip together.
But just a little while into the drive, Hugo’s phone rang. He glanced down and answered it. his voice tense.
“Sorry, Maddie. Something urgent came up at the office. I need to go back. Don’t let this ruin your mood. Take Lillian and the driver and go enjoy yourself. I’ll make it up to you later.”
I felt disappointed but didn’t argue. I nodded and told him it was fine.
Once Hugo drove off, I turned to the driver and instructed him, “Follow his car secretly.”
I’d like to see what matter was so urgent that even Hugo, a nominal vice CEO, had to return when the chairman wasn’t even in the city.
***
Instead of heading to the office, Hugo turned off the main road and drove into a suburban villa area. He finally stopped in front of the house we bought after we got married.
I sat silently in the front seat, a sense of dread building inside me.
I exchanged glances with my assistant, Lillian Howard, and quietly entered the house.
The living room was grand and decorated like a baptism party commonly seen among the rich.
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Fannie Bould, my mother–in–law, who had claimed to be sick and stuck in bed for the past five years, now looked healthy and sat proudly in the main seat, cradling a baby.
Hugo, dressed sharply, sat beside a young woman in a soft pink dress. He had his arm around her and smiled warmly.
I stared closely and realized it was Emily Lloyd–the same girl I had picked up from the roadside and taken in last year.
Back then, Emily said she had no one, so I let her stay at my house and help with chores. But six months ago, she quitted suddenly and vanished without a word.
Now, she looked like a socialite, sitting in my place as if she were the lady of the house.
The room buzzed with chatter and laughter.
“Mrs. Peterson finally made an appearance. I heard she’s been caring for her mother–in–law at home. It’s rare to see her,” someone said.
Another person smiled. “That baby is adorable. Mr. Peterson truly has it
all.”
Someone else joked, “If it weren’t for their kid, I’d never get to meet the famous Mrs. Peterson!”
Fury rose in my chest when I heard that.
Hugo leaned down and kissed Emily. Everyone laughed as she shyly buried her face in his shoulder.
He lifted his glass and was about to make a speech. But when he looked up and saw me standing there, his face went completely pale.
Without hesitation, I slapped Hugo twice.
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“Well, should I say congratulations on the new baby?” I sneered.
The room went silent. Emily screamed in fear and clung to Hugo, her face pale.
In panic, Hugo was about to say something, but a woman in flashy makeup and designer clothes rushed over and pushed me. “Who are you? How dare you show up here and hit someone in their home!”
More guests jumped in.
“We should call the cops. If she can hit him, who knows what she’ll do next?”
“She must be crazy to crash a baptism party and hit a Peterson! Her life is over!”
I glanced at the people talking with a smile, then shifted my gaze to Hugo.
“So, you think I had no right to slap you?”
Hugo’s lips parted like he was going to say something, but Emily quickly pulled on his sleeve and shook her head slightly.
I caught every subtle gesture between them. I wondered what game they were trying to play.
When Hugo faced me again, his eyes were filled with anger.
“Madeline, what’s wrong with you? This is my son’s baptism. Don’t make a scene. If you have something to say, wait until it’s over. Don’t ruin the mood. Leave now!”
He clearly didn’t want his dirty secrets exposed in front of everyone.
I sneered and looked at him without emotion, a bitter feeling rising in my chest.
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“Hugo, where exactly should I go? Or are you just scared someone might hear the truth?”
