I'm Done Being Your Stand-In

Synopsis

Five years into her contract marriage, Michael's first love came back to the country. Julia was on her way to pick up her son from school when she heard the news. She thought about all the days and nights they'd spent together, and she held onto a sliver of hope as she tried to calm herself down. But in the next second, she watched her son Ethan throw himself into another woman's arms and happily call her mom. Her husband frowned and pulled the woman close to him. "Ethan, Izzy's still recovering. She can't handle you crashing into her like that." Ethan stuck his tongue out playfully. "I know, Dad. I just missed Ms. Stone so much—it's been two whole months since I last saw her." Isabelle smiled and bent down to ruffle his hair. "I missed you too, sweetie. That's why I'm not leaving this time." "Really?!" Ethan shrieked with excitement. "Ms. Stone is really going to be my mom? Dad, does this mean we don't have to hide from that woman anymore?" Michael smiled and exchanged a look with Isabelle, and his eyes were filled with affection. "That's right," he said. "We won't need excuses to go overseas anymore. Izzy's staying here for good." The words hit Julia like a physical blow. The blood in her veins turned to ice in an instant, and a ringing filled her ears. Her heart felt like someone had ripped it wide open and left it raw and bleeding. All those years when Michael had told her he was taking Ethan overseas for training programs—he'd actually been taking their son to see Isabelle. She couldn't believe it. Her husband and her son had both betrayed her. Julia's nose stung with tears, and she bit down hard on her lip to keep from sobbing out loud. Her hands trembled as she pulled out her phone and called her lawyer. "If a contract marriage has expired, can we file for divorce immediately?"