Chapter 1

After ten years of long-distance marriage, I applied for a Marriage-Based Green Card ten times and was rejected every time.

By the tenth time, the visa officer was totally fed up and told me straight up, "Ma'am, I've told you your paperwork is messed up. Your so-called spouse is already married. He's got a wife, and she got her green card ten years ago. Your marriage lines? It's fake."

With that, he swiveled his monitor around so I could see the files myself.

Right there, in my husband's spouse section, it was Emily Foster, his late brother's wife, not me.

I couldn't believe it. I called Jonathan Foster, my husband, right away.

He answered, sounding totally unfazed, "Yeah, our marriage lines are fake.

"I married Emily so her kid could study abroad and get a better, easier education.

"You've already waited ten years for me, so you're used to it. Hang on a few more years until Henry turns eighteen and his citizenship is secured. Then we'll get married."

I didn't lose my temper. I said calmly instead, "No thanks. I'm not interested in a man who's already been married."

Then I called my assistant. "Tell Jonathan's overseas company to fire him and freeze his cards."

Ten years ago, Jonathan's overseas posting got snatched away by someone else.

I couldn't bear to see him so down, so I secretly set up a special overseas program especially for him.

I not only connected for him with the top universities abroad but also invested over ten million dollars to secure him a professor position.

I threw money at every step to smooth things over, helping him build a world-class research team and making him the youngest external consultant in Amelith.

Because of visa issues, I could only stay in the country for three months each year before I had to leave.

For ten years, I was constantly on the move, completely worn out.

Every year, I'd get all the paperwork for the Marriage-Based Green Card ready way ahead of time.

I'd go over every detail, double-check everything, and then submit it.

But every single time, I'd get rejected.

Jonathan would always comfort me, saying, "Amelith's Marriage-Based Green Card reviews are insanely strict, especially when your spouse is a senior tech professional like me.

"Getting rejected is pretty normal. We'll give it another shot next year."

I always thought it was because of my bad luck. But now I realize it was my own husband who faked everything.

I used to ask Emily how she managed to get her green card and settle down here with her kid for good.

Every time, Emily would respond with a knowing smile and say, "Guess I was just lucky?"

Now, it turned out that it was Jonathan who had helped her.

There's no way I could pretend I wasn't devastated.

Right after I hung up with my assistant, Jonathan called.

I wanted to hear what he had to say, so I picked up.

As soon as I picked up, he immediately started berating me. "Emily found out you called to question me just now, and she was so upset that she started crying. She's planning to withdraw Henry from school and leave the country tonight. Henry's so frightened, he's in tears now."

Sure enough, I could hear Emily sobbing on the other end, and Henry was crying and shouting angrily, "Victoria Young, you're so mean. Why are you trying to kick Mom and me out? I'm not leaving. This is my home. I won't let you in."

Emily said, "Victoria, if you want to blame someone, blame me. Please don't take it out on Jonathan."

Jonathan reassured Henry and Emily softly, "As long as I'm here, nobody can make you leave.

"I'll make her apologize to you right now, okay? Victoria, say sorry to them."

I hung up on him.

I tore up all the visa paperwork and walked away, heading home.

I couldn't care less about this green card now.