Chapter 1
My husband, Charles Landon, had been trying to get promoted to full professor for years, but his papers kept getting rejected.
So, I, the former top student in my department, ended up ghostwriting for him.
He said, "Honey, we're in this together. My honor is yours, too."
At first, he'd bring me a cup of hot milk every night.
But later, all he did was keep urging me, "The deadline's next week."
Seeing his exhausted face, I kept telling myself that his success was our family's success.
From then on, whether it was applications for national-level projects or just his lecture PowerPoints, they were all my work.
Finally, he took home the Aurora Prize with a paper I'd written for him.
I asked Charles, "Honey, did you forget to mention me in the acknowledgments?"
With a slight flush from the drinks, Charles looked impatient. "We're family. It's no big deal, isn't it?"
His female student giggled, her voice playful. "Mrs. Landon, don't give Mr. Landon a hard time.
"Honestly, your biggest contribution is making sure the family runs smoothly so he doesn't have to worry about anything else. After all, it's not like you could help with writing papers anyway."
I watched as Charles let her speak for him, looking pleased, while the people around us suddenly had that look of realization in their eyes.
In that instant, it all clicked.
Everything I'd poured into him over the years was paving the way for his success.
I turned on my laptop and gathered up every draft, note, and email I'd ever written for him.
If my so-called help was useless, well, I'd send all the scrap paper to the academic committee and let them judge who actually earned this honor.
*****
At the celebration party, the champagne reflected off Charles' radiant, confident face.
He was the center of attention, surrounded by admirers.
But I was standing on the very edge, like an outsider who'd wandered in by mistake.
His star student, Karen Langley, hooked her arm through his, acting all sweet and close.
"Mr. Landon, you look so handsome today!" Karen gushed.
Her voice was sweet and coy, and her eyes sparkled with adoration.
Charles clearly enjoyed it. He gave Karen's hand a gentle pat, his voice indulgent and doting.
"You're so honey-tongued," he teased.
The crowd started making a fuss, gossiping and cheering them on.
"Mr. Landon and Karen really have that teacher-student chemistry!" someone joked.
"Karen is so talented. Her future's looking bright, and it's all thanks to Mr. Landon's mentorship," another laughed.
As I watched them, my stomach churned violently.
Every single character of the paper that won Charles the Aurora Prize was typed by me, pulling countless all-nighters.
In the acknowledgments, even the cleaning lady from the lab was mentioned. But my name, Grace Landon, was nowhere to be found.
I took a deep breath, waded through the crowd, and stood right in front of him.
"Honey," I said, my voice steady.
Charles' smile stiffened for a second.
"What are you doing here? I thought I told you to wait at home," he said.
There was a note of irritation in his voice, like he thought I was making him look bad.
I clenched my palms so hard that my nails were digging into the flesh.
"I'm here to ask you. Did you really forget to mention me in the acknowledgments?" I asked.
Everyone's eyes locked onto me, judging, sneering, and waiting for the spectacle, like they couldn't wait to see the drama unfold.
Charles' expression turned cold.
"We're family. It's no big deal, isn't it? Don't make a scene here," he snapped.
"Me, making a scene? Charles, don't you know who wrote that paper?" I shot back.
Karen jumped in before Charles could answer.
"Mrs. Landon, don't give Mr. Landon a hard time. He's lost so much weight chasing this award. As his wife, don't you feel bad for him?"
She pretended to be worried, furrowing her brows in exaggerated concern.
"Honestly, your biggest contribution is making sure the family runs smoothly so he doesn't have to worry about anything else. After all, it's not like you could help with writing papers anyway."
All around me, people were barely holding back their snickers.
To them, I was some ignorant woman, shamelessly trying to bask in my husband's reflected glory.
Charles avoided my eyes. He didn't even try to defend me.
He placed his hand over Karen's, gently patting it as if to comfort her.
The way he did it was so natural and intimate, like they had some unspoken connection.
That was way too close for a teacher and student.
I looked at Karen's smug grin and couldn't help but laugh.
"Karen, on what status are you stepping up to shield my husband?" I asked.
"I'm Mr. Landon's muse!" Karen boasted.
I scoffed, "Tell me, Karen. Did you spark his inspiration in his office, or was it in his bed?"
Charles stormed forward, his hand cutting through the air.
A slap hit me hard, the sound echoing for everyone to hear.
I pressed my swollen cheek, staring at two people.
Turned out that all those sleepless nights, my fallen hair, and my own career and dreams that I gave up were fuel for his bright future.
I'd cleared the path for him and his young mistress, laying out a golden road for them with my own hands.
That slap destroyed every last bit of hope I had, snapping me out of my delusions for good.
"Good for you, Charles," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
Without another glance at that hypocritical face, I turned and walked away.
Just as I stepped out of the banquet hall, Karen's delicate voice floated after me.
"Mr. Landon, don't be upset. Maybe Mrs. Landon's having a menopausal episode. Should I go check on her?"
"Don't bother with her," Charles snapped, his voice full of disgust. "Let her take out her anger somewhere else!"