He was convinced that my call for divorce was a ruse—that my real goal was to have his child—and so he refused to sign.
The next morning, Thomas posted on social media, a photo of him and Jessica tangled together on a hotel loveseat.
Clear as day, I saw the faint rows of bite marks along his neck and the scattered bruises on Jessica’s smooth thigh.
They were trophies from a night of passion.
I was still staring, stunned, when my phone rang.
On the other end of the line, Thomas spoke with smug satisfaction. “Just as you wished, Jess and I didn’t use any protection this time. I promise the Rivers Family heir will arrive next year—just not from you.”
Part 2
Outside the Civil Affairs Bureau, I stood in the blistering sun, waiting nearly three hours before Thomas finally arrived, arm wrapped around Jessica’s waist.
The first thing he said was a threat. “You asked for this divorce, so if my family questions it, you’d better take the blame.”
I looked at his handsome face, feeling nothing for him anymore.
“I’ll talk to your mother. I’ll tell her we split amicably because of personality differences.”
“No, that won’t work.”
Following his gaze, I saw the woman sitting comfortably in the café across the street. It all made sense now.
He wanted to use me to pave the way for Jessica, making their future a little smoother.
Leaning against the marble pillar nearby, I met his gaze, disappointment overshadowing my exhaustion.
"Tell me, what do you want me to do?"
Thomas showed not a trace of gratitude; his eyes still brimmed with disgust, but his tone was disturbingly casual.
"It's simple. Publicly admit you cheated during our marriage—take all the blame on yourself. Convince my mom that you were involved with another man and even had an abortion, which is why you haven’t been able to get pregnant all these years. Agree to leave the marriage with nothing. That's it."
As he finished, my hand by my side clenched tight, fingernails digging deep into my palm.
"We've been through so much as a couple. Do you really have to be this ruthless?"
Thomas spread his hands helplessly.
"I don’t have a choice. If you don’t do this, even if I divorce you, my family will never agree to let Jess in."
People are inherently selfish and love—or the lack of it—only makes it clearer.
For Jessica’s sake, he was willing to trample me into the dirt, shamelessly demanding that I paid the price for their affair.