Chapter 2

Ian replied almost instantly: [I've got a few meetings to attend, so I've arranged for Randall to pick you up at the airport.]

At the same time, the girl from earlier suddenly squealed with excitement. "Oh my god, my boyfriend's actually coming to pick me up at the airport himself.

"Sweetie, you'll have to go back to campus on your own."

*****

When I got off the plane, sure enough, there was Randall Sheffield, Ian's assistant, holding a bouquet of lilies by the car.

He waved at me from a distance, then took my suitcase and the scarf from my hand.

Then, as usual, he started making excuses for Ian.

He said, "Mrs. Swift, Mr. Swift had a few last-minute meetings and couldn't make it to pick you up.

"But he made sure to tell me to take you to that restaurant you like for some soup first, then swing by the luxury shops before heading home."

I said "Alright." Just as I was about to get in the car, I heard Ian's voice.

He asked, "So, how was your trip, baby? Did you have fun? Where do you want to go next? Encoland or Ineham?"

I looked up, but Randall quickly lifted the bouquet of lilies, blocking my view.

He said, "Mrs. Swift, it's pretty chilly out here. You should get in the car and warm up."

I kept a straight face as I slid into the car, but a girl's angry voice rang out behind me.

She snapped, "I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to find Lara and come clean with her. If you don't have the guts to ask for a divorce, I'll do it for you.

"You stopped loving her ages ago. She's just dragging you down. Why are you putting up with a marriage without love?

"I really feel for you, Ian. We're the ones who really love each other. The one who's not loved is the real third wheel. Why can't you just let her go?"

She burst into tears as she said that.

Ian, who was always so cool and distant, panicked.

He rushed to calm her down. "Okay, I'll talk to her about the divorce as soon as I get a chance. Please, don't cry, alright?"

As they spoke, Randall started the car, so I didn't catch the rest.

I just caught a glimpse in the rearview mirror. Ian and the girl were making out like nobody else existed.

*****

At eight that evening, Neal Holbrook, Ian's friend, suggested throwing a welcome home party for me.

He was a notorious party animal in our circle. He said it was for me, but honestly, he just wanted an excuse to get all the hot guys and girls together.

Ian only started keeping a mistress after knowing Neal.

At first, I just turned a blind eye, and people around me would always talk about it.

In our circle, it was totally normal for men to keep a mistress.

As long as it didn't affect the interests of both families, and as long as the man didn't mention divorce or splitting up, there was no reason to make a fuss about it.

Some people even said that we women should learn to have some fun too, just like the guys did.

Otherwise, we'd be stuck in hell, just waiting day after day. It was a tough life.

My mom was the same. She didn't bother with chasing after younger guys, but she found her own thing.

She'd hang out with a bunch of rich ladies playing poker all day, gambling on the tables.

She always told me, "You're already married, so stop acting all proper. If you can get a divorce and move on, just do it.

"If you can't, then at least loosen up and let yourself breathe a little. Otherwise you'll stress yourself out and end up sick."

I didn't take her advice and go find myself another guy. For one thing, I was drowning in work at the company. I'd just started the job and barely had time to breathe.

And honestly, I was just fooling myself.

Like some clueless idiot, I actually believed Ian was just having a bit of fun and would never catch real feelings for some girl he barely knew.

But nothing ever went the way I want.

He actually caught real feelings for his mistress.

I was starting to lose my grip on my marriage.

I'd always been the kind of person who refused to give up until I was completely battered up.

Since it had come to this point, no matter if it was marriage or love, if he couldn't be faithful to me, I would let it go.

Ian said he had something going on and couldn't make it to my welcome home party.

But just as the party was about to end, he showed up anyway.

When he walked in, he didn't come straight to me.

Instead, with everyone watching, he grabbed Neal by the throat and marched him straight into the bathroom.

I'd just wrapped up an online meeting when I overheard their conversation.

Ian said, "Neal, this has gotten way out of hand. Jessica is dead set on going to see Lara, and I just can't talk her out of it.

"Didn't you say a girl like her would just go along with anything if I flashed some cash?

"Jessica's nothing like what you said. She's hell-bent on confronting Lara. Seriously, what am I supposed to do?

"If you hadn't insisted I keep a mistress, I wouldn't be stuck in this mess right now.

Neal shot back, "Figure it out yourself. This is your mess. You deal with it."