Chapter 3 3

Yes, why?

I can't quite put my finger on it.

Clearly, what she took from Aidan and me could be considered our marital property. Calling out someone who has encroached on my assets might seem a bit too self-righteous.

Perhaps it's the last bit of compassion in my heart. If a person loses even their last shred of empathy, they might as well be less than human.

"I hope you know when to stop. I won't always be this lenient. You're not the first woman to cause a scene in front of me, but you are the youngest. I'm only telling you this because of your age. I don't know if you're acting out of a momentary impulse or a long-term scheme. I've said my piece. Whether you choose to be smart or foolish is up to you."

After saying this, I didn't give the young woman another chance to speak.

In the end, she was still foolish, not understanding the meaning behind my words. She rushed up to me and spilled an entire cup of hot cocoa on my dress.

"Do you think you're some kind of success? What right do you have to lecture me? Let me tell you, Aidan will marry me in the end!"

I couldn't be bothered to argue further. I called the police. When she heard I was calling the police, her face turned red with anger. "You dare call the police? I'll make you pay!"

I thought she would call Aidan to complain, but I overestimated her. I don't know what she did, but after she was detained that day, I never heard from her again.

Maybe she knew when to stop, or maybe she continued to cause trouble with Aidan, losing both money and love. But none of that concerned me.

I calculated that Aidan had secretly transferred nearly a million in assets over the past few years. He used the so-called life of a wealthy housewife to gradually turn me into a puppet at home. In a couple of years, if I wanted to confront Aidan, I would be left with nothing but losses.

Looking at the shredded paper in the shredder, the last bit of softness in my heart disappeared, just like the scraps.

On the day of Aidan's team-building event, I kept up the appearance of a happy family as if nothing had happened.

The company president was old and loved seeing young couples. It was as if watching young people could bring back his lost youth and his wife who had committed suicide.

Of course, men are always moved by their own deep feelings, putting on a show for others. He claimed to be mourning his late wife, but he already had someone new by his side.

The new wife was an elegant woman of similar age, named Lauren, the eldest daughter of a famous professor in the country. She exuded an air of refined elegance, cultivated from a scholarly family, radiating a sense of pride and detachment.

Complimenting her talent and uniqueness, saying she looked much younger than her age, would immediately make her beam with joy.

"Joanna, you have great taste. Aidan is truly lucky to have married such an outstanding wife."

These words were said in front of Aidan, whose eyes sparkled with excitement, barely able to contain himself.

As soon as the banquet ended, he eagerly grabbed my hand and slipped a diamond ring the size of a large marble onto my finger.

"Joanna, you're my lucky star. You have no idea how long I've been competing with Roderick for this position. Nicolas has never taken a stand. Now that you can talk to Lauren, my chances have greatly improved."

Hiding my revulsion, I pulled my hand back, the smile vanishing from my face. I took off the ring and handed it back to him.

"Aidan, I know you mean well, but... this might be the last time I help you."

After saying this, I feigned distress and ran out of the hall in front of Lauren.

Aidan, noticing Lauren's inquisitive gaze, hurriedly chased after me, his face darkening, his tone questioning, "Joanna, what are you doing? Do you know you almost made Lauren suspect we were arguing? If you have any complaints, just tell me. I'll change anything you want. Don't trip me up at a critical moment. Don't forget we're a family."

"Yes, a family. So, are you saying you don't want me or this family anymore?"

I thought about the most heartbreaking moments of my life, finally recalling Aidan kneeling in front of me at our wedding, promising to take care of me forever. I also remembered him rushing to my hospital room with dark circles under his eyes after our daughter was born. Finally, I started to cry.

"She said I'm a washed-up old woman, unworthy of you."

The glaring photo on my phone, taken in bed, was right in front of Aidan.

Aidan's expression finally changed.