Chapter 3

Figured it out? I thought. What woman really had it all figured out when she got married?

I used to be a total sucker for love, too.

Back in 2016, I was twenty-one, working on my master's at a top-tier university.

I was good-looking, had great grades, and guys were lining up for me, from the library all the way to the cafeteria.

But honestly, I didn't think any of them were good enough for me.

My roommates said my standards were sky-high, but I just thought they didn't get it.

I wasn't after a boyfriend. I wanted an opportunity that could save me twenty years of struggle.

Call it materialistic, but I'd known since I was little that a pretty woman's looks always come with an expiration date.

Before my looks expired, I was determined to cash in while I still could.

That's when Lysander entered the picture.

He came to campus to give a lecture on "Corporate Social Responsibility in the New Era," dressed to the nines, looking slick and all business.

I was sitting in the third row, and halfway through, he suddenly stopped, pointed at me, and said, "You in the white shirt, do you have a question?"

I was caught off guard; I hadn't even raised my hand.

But since he asked, I stood up and tossed out a harmless question.

I didn't remember what he said back, but I would never forget the way he looked at me, like I was just another product waiting to be priced and sold.

After the lecture, he sent his assistant to get my contact info.

Just a week later, we started dating.

Three months in, he popped the question.

Six months after that, I put my studies on hold and married into the Linwood family.

On my wedding day, I wore a gown with a long train and walked down the aisle with him, the whole room bursting into applause.

My mom was bawling in the front row, my dad's eyes were red as he managed to say, "My daughter really married well."

Philomena squeezed my hand and said, "From now on, we're family."

I smiled gracefully, thinking to myself that I was set for life.

Those first six months after the wedding, everything really felt solid.

Lysander treated me so well that I almost forgot how this marriage even came about.

He took me to every social gathering, always introducing me as "my wife".

And at night, he'd hold me close and say, "Autumn, marrying you is the best thing that's ever happened to me."

I bought it. I really did.

But then, one day, while I was cleaning up his study, his phone lit up right in front of me.

On the screen was a message from a girl: [Lysander, I had so much fun last night! When are we hanging out again?]

I stared at those words for a whole minute.

Then I put the phone down, pretending I hadn't seen anything.

When he got home that night, I asked, "Was it a busy day at the office?"

He replied, "Yeah, nonstop meetings. I'm exhausted."

I just said, "Alright."

He looked at me and asked, "Something bothering you?"

I answered, "It's nothing."

He said, "You don't look so good. Are you feeling alright?"

I replied, "I'm probably just tired. A good night's sleep will fix it."

He kissed my forehead and said, "Go to bed early, then."

That night, he slept peacefully right next to me, while I lay there staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep a wink.

The next day, I called a private investigator to dig into his affairs.

A week later, the PI's report landed on my desk: he was cheating, and not just with one woman.

Ever since I was two months pregnant, he'd been busy behind my back.

First, it was some C-list model, then Whitney, his secretary, and finally, the daughter of one of his so-called "business partners."

I set the report down in front of him and said, "We need to talk."

He glanced at the report, his face darkening for a moment before he quickly composed himself.

"Autumn, just let me explain," he said.

I looked at him, waiting for his explanation.

"It was all just meaningless fun," Lysander said. "I didn't care about any of them. You're the only one I love."

I just went, "Oh," not giving anything away.

He tried again, "You have to believe me. I just messed up for a moment."

I answered with another flat, "Oh."

Then he said, "You're pregnant, Autumn. Don't get upset. It's not good for the baby."

I said, "So what now?"

He paused, then pulled a key out of his bag and set it down in front of me.

"I bought a storefront in that new downtown mall, the best spot on the first floor. It's under your name.

"The rent will bring in about 100 thousand dollars a year, your own personal fund," he said.

I stared at the key, and suddenly, I just wanted to laugh.

Cheat on me, and he thought a storefront would make it right? I thought.

He seriously thought that was how he could fix things? I thought.

But my hand still reached out and took the key, slipping it into my pocket.

"This better not happen again," I said.

He let out a sigh of relief, pulled me into his arms, and kissed me. "You're the best, honey."

I stayed silent.

Best? Really? I thought. I just finally understood.