Chapter 26
During our six–year marriage, my husband never lived with me. Instead, he was under the same roof as his younger brother’s wife every day.
Antonio Kaufman imposed his family’s traditions on me, leaving me to raise our daughter alone.
In the sixth year of our marriage, he inherited everything from his brother- including his wife.
As part of his so–called family duty, Antonio slept with Kristen Holman every night.
Then he’d come to me for sleep.
“I’ll be able to have a wedding with you as long as Kristen can give my brother a baby. It won’t be long…”
But in the end, they were getting married.
“Marry me, Kristen. I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world!”
Under the candlelight, I watched as Antonio got down on one knee and proposed to Kristen with heartfelt devotion.
Meanwhile, Kristen stroked her baby bump with delight.
My daughter and I were at the door.
At that moment, I realized that I had been the only one who was kept in the dark.
Chapter 26
***
After returning from Kaufman’s villa, my daughter Alison quietly went
back to her room.
Through the crack of the door, I saw Alison shaking under a blanket, my heart aching.
“Dad, Mom, I changed my mind.”
Exhausted. I called my parents overseas and finally agreed to leave the
country.
One week later, Alison and I would leave here forever.
And that day happened to be the 10th anniversary of the day Antonio and
I first met.
I sat in the living room all night, crying until I had no more tears left.
With a sharp click, the living room lights flicked on. Antonio strode over and pulled me into his arms.
“Why don’t you wait in the bedroom? You will catch a cold here.”
I struggled out of his arms. He paused before chuckling.
“Good sense of smell. Someone smoked near me.
I hated the smell of cigarettes.
Antonio never succeeded in quitting smoking, not even after I gave birth
to Alison.
However, he made it 6 months ago, for someone else.
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Antonio kissed me on the forehead and slipped his hand to my breast.
He had a strong desire for me over the past 6 months.
I thought it was because he loved me more. But actually, it was because the woman he really cared about was pregnant and he could only take it
out on me.
What was I in his heart?
I felt disgusted and pushed him away.
Antonio paused, his face flickering with a glimmer of resignation.
“Alright, alright. I’ll take a shower. Go wait for me in the bedroom. I miss you, babe!”
I watched him walk into the bathroom. He was still so dashing, not like a middle–aged man.
Six years ago
ago, he knelt in front of me and asked me to marry him.
“Grace, believe me. I’ll make you happy forever!”
But in just six years, everything had changed.
His phone on the table suddenly rang, playing an unfamiliar tune.
I was about to pick it up from the table when he did that with a wet hand.
“What? Kristen isn’t feeling well? OK. I’m on my way!”
He frowned with worry.
He hastily dried himself with a towel before throwing on his clothes.
“Kristen? What’s wrong with her?”
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Antonio stiffened before explaining. “Since my brother passed, Kristen has never moved on. You know our family customs. My parents expect me to take responsibility for both families.”
After seconds of silence, he turned around and held my shoulder, looking at me with affection.
“But I only love you, Grace. I’ll marry you even if my family all disagree!”
It was only after he proposed that he told me about his family’s custom of living apart after marriage.
Thus, we had a marriage certificate, but we never had a wedding or met each other’s parents.
I thought love meant respect, so I got through all that alone after our marriage.
But he shouldn’t have lied to me.
When he was about to leave, I couldn’t help but say, “Antonio, you…”
“Grace, can’t you be a little more understanding? I’ve already defied my family’s rules for you. What more do you want?”
I held back what I would have said.
Instead, I looked at his impatient face and said in a low voice, “Tomorrow is Alison’s birthday.”
With a start, Antonio revealed a guilty look.
“OK. Got it.”
I didn’t know what he meant.
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But Alison and I were going to leave him anyway.
