The Secret Husband

It was our fifth wedding anniversary.

I was dressed in a custom tuxedo, waiting for my CEO wife to announce our secret marriage at the gala.

Suddenly, her first love was hit with a scandal.

Ignoring my presence, she stepped onto the stage and spoke to the cameras.

Xander and I are indeed in a relationship. Please support his new project.

Amidst the cheers, Xander leaned in and kissed my wife passionately.

I didn't cry or make a scene.

I simply smiled and joined the crowd, clapping for their happiness.

Later, when she finally realized I had changed, she knelt at my feet and begged for one more chance.

1.

"Zane, what is wrong with you? Why are you being so immature?"

My wife, Willow, caught up to me.

She grabbed my collar and dragged me into a dark corner of the hallway.

"You know Xander's career is at a peak. How could I just stand there and let the trolls tear him apart?"

I looked at her. Her face was full of nothing but impatience.

My gaze drifted past her shoulder to Xander, who was currently raising a glass and laughing with guests.

Seeing his triumphant expression, I could feel my heart bleeding.

Tonight's gala was supposed to be my happiest moment.

We had been together for two years and married for five.

She had promised me that tonight, she would finally tell the world I was her husband.

But in the end, I was no match for her first love.

The recognition I had craved for years was something Xander could get just by acting pathetic for a few minutes.

Seeing my eyes fixed on Xander, Willow's face darkened further.

She tightened her grip on my collar as a warning.

"Zane, don't think I don't know what you're planning. Don't you dare try to cause trouble for Xander in there!"

The collar was choking me, but the pain in my heart was far worse.

I shoved her away and began to cough violently.

Willow seemed to soften for a split second.

She patted my back and sighed.

"Zane, stop being difficult. The situation with Xander happened so fast. I had to come up with the fake relationship idea on the spot. I didn't have time to consult you."

Tonight's event was originally meant to announce our secret marriage.

That's why she had invited all the key employees and a few entertainment reporters.

Willow had claimed she wanted it to be a surprise, so the theme was kept secret.

But now, every employee of the company was here.

She had even invited high-profile journalists, directors, and investors who were usually impossible to get.

And yet, she told me it was a "last-minute decision."

What a joke.

Once my breathing stabilized, I let out a dry laugh.

"You're overthinking it, CEO. I know my place. I wouldn't dream of questioning your brilliance."

Willow froze, her expression turning complex.

People were passing by in the distance, and some employees glanced toward the shadows.

Willow immediately raised her clutch to hide her face.

She was terrified that someone would see her with me.

Watching her ridiculous behavior, I actually laughed out loud.

"You don't have to do that, Willow. Since I'm clearly not welcome here, I'll leave."

I turned to walk away.

"Enough!"

Willow followed me, still holding the bag against her face.

"Zane, I already explained it to you. What more do you want?"

I was exhausted, so I stopped.

Before I could speak, Xander ran up to us.

He naturally tucked Willow's arm into his, pulling her close.

He shot me a provocative look.

"Willow, Director Miller said he wants me for his new lead. Will you come discuss the details with us?"

Willow hesitated for a moment before looking at me.

"Zane, go home first. Once I'm done helping Xander with this deal, I'll come home to you."

I stared at their intertwined arms. My hands balled into fists.

But in the end, I only whispered a quiet "Okay."

Willow praised me for being "understanding" and then happily walked away with Xander.

Before they were even out of sight, Xander grabbed the back of her head and kissed her.

They didn't pull apart until the reporters swarmed them for photos.

Willow complained with a blush, "Xander is just too clingy, sorry for the display, everyone."

Xander kept his hand on her waist, looking at me like a victor.

I couldn't take it anymore.

I turned and fled from that suffocating place.

2.

I got home and opened the door.

The wedding portrait in the foyer was the first thing I saw.

Looking at the two people smiling at each other in the photo, I felt a sharp pang of disgust.

I remembered how much I loved her back then.

I wanted to see her every second, so I had remodeled the whole house.

I threw out the old furniture and filled the walls with giant prints of our wedding photos.

When Willow saw it, she called me childish.

She ordered me to put everything back the way it was.

Back then, I relied on her love to be stubborn, until she finally gave in.

Thinking back, I was so pathetic.

I kicked off my matching slippers and walked barefoot on the cold floor.

I tore every single wedding photo off the walls and dragged them down to the trash.

By the time I was done, I was drenched in sweat.

The house was empty, and so was my heart.

I fell in love with her at first sight back in college.

I chased her for a month before she agreed to be my girlfriend.

We were inseparable and sweet.

I swore I would treat her right forever.

But after graduation, Willow changed.

She became obsessed with status.

She started categorizing her old friends by their net worth.

She developed a taste for luxury brands and expensive restaurants.

To satisfy her, I worked day and night to build our business.

During the startup phase, Willow wasn't idle, but I was the one drinking until my stomach bled to close deals.

I was the one who drove through mountain storms and ended up with a broken leg in an accident just to meet a client.

Willow, on the other hand, just had to look pretty and enjoy the results of my labor.

Once the company stabilized, I moved to the background.

The world knew Willow as the CEO, but no one knew I was the one who built the empire.

I was happy to be the man behind her.

Until Xander, the rising star of the entertainment industry, appeared on her screen.

Willow used to look down on celebrities.

But one day, she came home dead drunk, and Xander was the one who brought her back.

I found out later that she had spent millions and exhausted her connections just to get him a supporting role.

I still remembered the smug look Xander gave me that night.

And the suspicious red marks on Willow's neck.

Even as I tried to take her from him, she clung to his arm and wouldn't let go.

I stayed up all night taking care of her.

But in her sleep, she kept whispering Xander's name.

I eventually found out that Xander was her high school sweetheart.

They had known each other since they were kids.

Xander was the heartthrob of the school back then.

Now that Willow had money and power, she felt she finally deserved him.

She stopped hiding her desires.

I had known for a long time that she loved him.

I was just lying to myself.

I arrogantly thought our years together would make her stay.

But it was all a delusion.

Now, I'm finally awake.

Thankfully, it's not too late.

3.

After a shower, I sat leaning against the headboard in the master bedroom.

Outside, a heavy rain began to fall.

My first instinct was to get up and drive to pick her up.

I even changed my clothes before I realized I was being a fool again.

I picked up my phone to call her, but she beat me to it.

"Xander, baby, go to sleep. Don't wait up for me tonight."

She sounded drunk, and then she hung up immediately.

I knew exactly who she was with.

To prove my theory, I committed an act of self-torture and video-called Xander.

He picked up almost instantly.

The screen was dark, but the sounds of heavy breathing and moaning were unmistakable.

Xander whispered with a chuckle, "I'm a bit busy right now, man. I'll call you back later."

The call ended. I didn't have the courage to call again.

A news notification popped up on my phone.

It was more coverage of Xander and Willow.

The article was full of blessings for the "perfect couple."

The main photo was them kissing at the gala.

The comments were just as painfulDpeople wishing them a long life together and many children.

I laughed at myself as I stared at the photo.

I couldn't lie to myself anymore; Willow and Xander were a perfect match.

One was a powerful CEO, the other a rising star.

They were beautiful people. I was just a commoner.

I checked Xander's social media.

He had posted dozens of intimate photos with Willow.

I felt like a clown, stalking my own wife's affair.

As the sun began to rise, I got a text from Willow.

"Xander, I'm craving the lobster bisque and crepes from that place on 5th Ave. Buy some and bring them to my office."

I knew this was her way of "making peace."

Whenever we had a fight, she wouldn't apologize.

She would just give me a task to do, and if I did it, we were "fine."

In the past, I would have been thrilled to serve her.

But now, I hesitated for a long time before deciding to go.

4.

I arrived at the office before the workday started.

The building was empty except for the lights in Willow's suite.

I knocked and entered.

Willow was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window in a sheer lace nightgown, drying her hair.

She didn't seem to hear me. She was on the phone.

"Dr. Miller, the test was positive. It's only been a month. Can we schedule the procedure to remove it as soon as possible?"

"Willow, you've been married for five years and finally got pregnant. Are you sure you don't want to talk to Zane? Doing this behind his back is"

Willow interrupted him impatiently. "No. It's my body, my choice."

She continued, "I was drinking last night. Who knows if it's even healthy? Besides, Xander's career is taking off. He needs my full support. I won't let anythingDor anyoneDbecome a stumbling block!"

The breakfast containers fell from my hands, hitting the floor with a loud thud.

Willow spun around. Her face turned pale when she saw me.

"Zane when did you get here? What did you hear!"

She rushed toward me, grabbing my shirt.

"Zane, let me explain. I just found out about the pregnancy myself"

I didn't say a word.

My eyes were fixed on her chest, where dark purple hickeys were clearly visible through the lace.

Willow noticed where I was looking.

She gasped and crossed her arms to cover herself.

I looked into her eyes and started laughing.

"Willow, I heard everything. Are you still going to lie? You make me sick."

Willow had never been treated like this by me. Tears immediately filled her eyes.

She wanted to grab my hand but was too busy trying to cover herself.

She paced around in a panic.

"Zane, Zane, don't be like this. Let me explain, okay? It's not what you think"

Just then, the door to the office lounge opened.

Xander walked out wearing a silk bathrobe. "Willow, what's going on?"

Seeing him, Willow's tears finally spilled over.

"Xander, tell Zane the truth! He's misunderstanding everything!"

Xander pressed his lips together and walked over slowly.

"Hey, man, look. I drank too much last night and Willow let me crash here. We're totally innocent. If it bothers you, I can leave right now."

Despite his words, his expression was anything but innocent.

The deep scratch marks on his chest were on full display.

Xander saw me looking and smirked, pulling his robe tighter.

"Sorry, my clothes got ruined last night. Waiting for a delivery."

I watched their performance in silence. My heart was already dead.

Willow thought I believed them.

She grabbed my wrist desperately. "See? Xander explained it. We're clean."

"Ha."

I shoved her away.

"Willow, you're a natural-born actress. Hollywood is missing out."

"Zane, what is that supposed to mean?" She sobbed.

I looked at her fake, beautiful face.

"It means, Willow, I want a divorce."

After saying that, I felt a massive weight lift off my shoulders.

I turned and walked out of the office, ignoring her wailing.

I had come here with a tiny shred of hope.

Now, I was truly done with her.

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