Three years into our marriage, I felt pretty settled and content. My husband, Bryant, was an attractive, affluent man who was kind, considerate, and always steady. We had never had a screaming match or even a heated argument. Yet one day, I saw my always composed husband corner another woman against a wall, his voice filled with rage as he questioned, “You chose to marry someone else. What gives you the right to demand anything from me now?” This moment showed a side I had never seen; when Bryant loved passionately, it was indeed fiery and intense. In light of the circumstances, I made the decision to bow out gracefully - I divorced Bryant and disappeared, wiping my existence from his life. Whispers started circulating that Bryant had lost his sanity, that he was unearthing every corner of River City with a relentless drive to find me. This steadfast man falling into a state of crazed obsession? For his ex-wife who was nothing of particular significance? It seemed so unlikely. But the moment he saw me with another man, he seized my wrist. His eyes were burning with desperation, and with a voice full of remorse, he pleaded, “Jane, I messed up. Can we try again, please?” At that moment, I realized the rumors were not mere hearsay. Bryant had truly lost his marbles.

Chapter 1On our third wedding anniversary, Bryant Ferguson paid big money to get me the necklace I'd been eyeing for ages.Everyone around us said he was head over heels in love with me.Filled with joy, I was busy preparing a candlelit dinner when a video popped up on my phone. In the video, Bryant put the necklace around another woman's neck, saying, "Congrats on your fresh start."It turned out it wasn't just our anniversary. It was also the day his first love was finalizing her divorce.---I never imagined something like this could happen to me. Though my marriage to Bryant wasn't born out of a whirlwind romance, he always played the role of the doting husband in public.I sat at the dining table, staring at the cold steak and the trending topic, [Bryant Spends Millions To Make His Wife's Happy.]It all felt like a cruel joke.At 2 a.m., a sleek black Mercedes finally pulled into the driveway.I could see him stepping out through the glass door, impeccably dressed in a tailor-made dark suit, his presence commanding yet elegant."Why are you still up?" Bryant turned on the lights, surprised to find me in the dining room.Trying to stand up, I fell back into the chair, my legs numb. "I’m waiting for you." I replied."Missed me?" Bryant gave a casual smile, poured himself a glass of water, and glanced at the untouched dinner with a hint of surprise.He wanted to play it cool, so I suppressed my feelings, reaching out to him with a smile. "Happy anniversary. You got me a gift?""Sorry, I was so busy today. I forgot it." He paused for a second, realizing what day it was, and tried to ruffle my hair, which I instinctively dodged.I didn't know where his hands had been tonight, and the thought disgusted me.He looked slightly stunned.Pretending not to notice, I kept smiling. "Don't try to fool me. You specifically bid on my favorite necklace. It's all over the news! Give it to me.""Jane..." Bryant slowly withdrew his hand, his expression unreadable, his voice calm. "I bid that necklace for Steven."---As the internet says, a buddy is always the best shield.I struggled to keep my smile. "Is that so?""Yeah, you know how he attracts girls." Bryant's tone and expression were flawless.While looking at him in the lights, his perfect features made me wonder if I ever knew this man. And I began to question, was this the first time he lied to me? Or had I been too trusting before? I wouldn't have doubted his explanation if it hadn't been for that anonymous video.Seeing my silence, he patiently tried to comfort me. "I shouldn't have forgotten such an important day. I'll make it up to you with a gift tomorrow."I insisted. "I only want that necklace."I wanted to give him a chance. The video's angle didn't show the woman's face. Maybe it wasn't as scandalous as it seemed.Bryant hesitated for a moment, and I looked at him, puzzled. "Can't you do this for me? Asking Steven to give up one of his flings for your sake shouldn't be a problem, right?"After a pause, he finally spoke, "I'll call tomorrow. It's not right to forcefully take what someone loves."‘Is the someone him or her?’ I wondered.I couldn't press further. "Okay.""Have you been waiting to eat with me?" As Bryant cleared the table, his graceful hands moved over the fine cutlery.I nodded. "Yeah, it's our anniversary, after all."When I got up to help, he stopped me with a gentle voice. "Just sit. Let me cook some pasta for you.""Okay." While watching him like that, my doubts momentarily faded.Could a strayed man ever be this casual and caring?It was odd. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Bryant was also a whiz in the kitchen, whipping up delicious meals in no time.Yet, he hardly ever cooked. But he served up an enticing tomato meat sauce pasta in about fifteen minutes."It’s not bad!" I didn't hold back my praise after taking a bite. "Who taught you to cook? It is better than any restaurant’s food."He seemed momentarily lost in thought, his expression clouded. After a half-minute pause, he said quietly, "For those two years I spent studying abroad, I had to learn to fend for myself to satisfy my cravings for home."It was just casual conversation on my part, and I didn't think much more of it.After bathing and lying in bed, it was already past three in the morning.Behind me, Bryant's warm body pressed against mine, his chin resting in the crook of my neck, gently nuzzling."Feeling it?" His voice was rough as if sanded down, his breath on my skin sending shivers down my spine.Before I could respond, he leaned over, his hand slipping under the hem of my silk nightdress.He was always dominant in bed, leaving little room for resistance.But this time, I had to decline. "Honey, not tonight..." My voice was as weak as my body, melting into a puddle."Hmm?" Bryant continued to kiss my neck, his hand venturing lower, his words turning my cheeks scarlet. "This seems quite welcoming. Don't you agree?""I... I have a stomachache today."At that, he finally ceased his actions, gently kissing my earlobe and pulling me into his embrace. "I forgot it. You're due for your period."My relaxation was short-lived as I turned to gaze at him, unblinking. "My period was at the beginning of the month. It's already passed.""Is that so?" He seemed calm, questioning himself, "My memory must've played tricks on me. Is the pain severe? Maybe Emma should take you to the clinic tomorrow."I replied, "I've already been this morning.""What did the doctor say?" asked Bryant.I lowered my eyes, hesitating briefly.The doctor had said I was five weeks pregnant. The stomach pain was due to a threatened miscarriage, advising me to take progesterone supplements and check back for the fetal heartbeat in a fortnight.Finding out about the pregnancy on our anniversary should have been the best gift.I had hidden the pregnancy test in a small glass jar and buried it in a homemade cake, planning to surprise Bryant during our candlelit dinner.But at the moment, that cake was still untouched in the fridge."It's nothing serious. Maybe I've had too many cold drinks lately." I kept it hidden for the time, thinking everything would be fine if that necklace returned the next day.But if it didn't, our marriage would be strained by the presence of the other woman. Telling him about the baby would then seem pointless.That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.No woman could come to terms with the possibility of her husband's infidelity.Unexpectedly, the issue weighing on my mind soon evolved.The next day, while Bryant was still in the bathroom, there was a knock on the door.Just having changed, I opened it to find Emma pointing downstairs. "Mrs. Ferguson, Miss Margaret is here, saying she's returning something."Margaret Ferguson, Bryant's step-sister from his stepmother, older by two years, was technically a Ferguson family lady.Sent by the Ferguson family to look after us, Emma habitually referred to her as "Miss Margaret."I was puzzled. Margaret and I hardly interacted outside family gatherings at the Ferguson Mansion, let alone exchanged belongings."Returning something?" I was curious."Yes, it's in an elegant jewelry box. It looks like some jewel," Emma replied.‘Jewelry?’ I frowned slightly and raised my voice to Bryant, who had just entered the bathroom. "Bryant, Margaret is here. I'm going down to see her."Almost instantly, Bryant emerged, his expression colder than I had ever seen before."I'll handle it. You don't need to worry about it. Go freshen up." Bryant, always composed and reserved before me, spoke with a hint of unspoken emotion, sounding irritated and anxious.A strange feeling arose within me. "I've freshened up. Remember? I even squeezed the toothpaste out for you.""Okay then. Let's go down together. We shouldn't keep our guest waiting." Bryant said.I grabbed his hand, and we made our way downstairs.The staircase spiraled elegantly, and halfway down, we could see Margaret sitting gracefully on the sofa in her simple white dress.She looked up at the sound of our footsteps, her smile serene. When her gaze fell on Bryant and me holding hands, her cup trembled slightly, spilling a few drops.It must have been a bit hot, and she cried out softly in her flurry, "Ah..."Bryant quickly withdrew his hand and rushed down the stairs, taking the cup from her with a mix of panic and haste. "How can you be so careless? Can't even hold a cup properly?"His tone was stern and harsh, leaving no room for argument. He then grabbed Margaret's hand and brought her to the sink to rinse off with cold water.Feeling helpless, Margaret tried to pull her hand back. "I'm fine. You're making a big deal out of nothing.""Shut up. Burns can scar if not treated properly, you know?" Bryant scolded sharply, still not letting go.I stood on the stairs, dazed, watching the scene unfold, my mind a whirl.Images flashed through my mind. When we first married, I learned Bryant had a sensitive stomach and began to cook. Even though we had Emma, her dishes didn't quite agree with him.As a beginner, I often cut or burnt myself. One time, I accidentally tipped over a pot, and the splashing oil made me clench my teeth in pain.Hearing the commotion, Bryant came over, as always, and said gently, "Are you okay? You go and take care of that. I can finish up here."He acted gentle and caring yet so detached.I sometimes had the nagging feeling that something was off. But having secretly adored Bryant for so many years, with countless diary entries about him, marrying him was more than enough for me. I thought perhaps it was just his nature to be reserved and subdued....Emma interrupted, "It was lemonade that I got for Miss Margaret."Emma's muttering snapped me back to reality. My vision blurred, and my heart felt as if it was tightly clenched, making it hard to breathe.Bryant had personally taken the cup from Margaret. But in his concern, he failed to notice whether the liquid was hot or cold.I took a deep breath and stepped down the stairs, my voice tinged with sarcasm. "Honey, Emma got Margaret some lemonade. It's cold. It won’t burn. Maybe you should worry if she might get frostbite instead?" I couldn't hold back the sarcasm.Bryant froze, then let go of her hand, avoiding my gaze, and scolded Margaret, "Crying out over cold water? Only you would be so fussy."Margaret shot him a look and then turned to me with a gentle smile. "That's just how he is, always overreacting. Don't mind him."Then, she walked over to the coffee table, picked up a velvet gift box, clearly expensive just by its craftsmanship, and handed it to me.With a warm smile, she said, "This belongs to you."I took it, feeling my nails dig into my palm. A storm surged within me.‘The woman in the video, was it Margaret?’ I wondered.When I looked up again, hiding my emotions, I tried to smile, but couldn't.Just the night before, I had forced Bryant to take back the necklace, and at the moment, holding it in my hand, I couldn’t feel any relief.I looked at Bryant, probing, as he avoided my gaze. Then, he pulled me close. "Do you like it? If yes, it's all yours. If not, feel free to pass it on. It's just a trinket, not worth much. I'll buy you another gift."Chapter 2On our third wedding anniversary, Bryant Ferguson paid big money to get me the necklace I'd been eyeing for ages.Everyone around us said he was head over heels in love with me.Filled with joy, I was busy preparing a candlelit dinner when a video popped up on my phone. In the video, Bryant put the necklace around another woman's neck, saying, "Congrats on your fresh start."It turned out it wasn't just our anniversary. It was also the day his first love was finalizing her divorce.---I never imagined something like this could happen to me. Though my marriage to Bryant wasn't born out of a whirlwind romance, he always played the role of the doting husband in public.I sat at the dining table, staring at the cold steak and the trending topic, [Bryant Spends Millions To Make His Wife's Happy.]It all felt like a cruel joke.At 2 a.m., a sleek black Mercedes finally pulled into the driveway.I could see him stepping out through the glass door, impeccably dressed in a tailor-made dark suit, his presence commanding yet elegant."Why are you still up?" Bryant turned on the lights, surprised to find me in the dining room.Trying to stand up, I fell back into the chair, my legs numb. "I’m waiting for you." I replied."Missed me?" Bryant gave a casual smile, poured himself a glass of water, and glanced at the untouched dinner with a hint of surprise.He wanted to play it cool, so I suppressed my feelings, reaching out to him with a smile. "Happy anniversary. You got me a gift?""Sorry, I was so busy today. I forgot it." He paused for a second, realizing what day it was, and tried to ruffle my hair, which I instinctively dodged.I didn't know where his hands had been tonight, and the thought disgusted me.He looked slightly stunned.Pretending not to notice, I kept smiling. "Don't try to fool me. You specifically bid on my favorite necklace. It's all over the news! Give it to me.""Jane..." Bryant slowly withdrew his hand, his expression unreadable, his voice calm. "I bid that necklace for Steven."---As the internet says, a buddy is always the best shield.I struggled to keep my smile. "Is that so?""Yeah, you know how he attracts girls." Bryant's tone and expression were flawless.While looking at him in the lights, his perfect features made me wonder if I ever knew this man. And I began to question, was this the first time he lied to me? Or had I been too trusting before? I wouldn't have doubted his explanation if it hadn't been for that anonymous video.Seeing my silence, he patiently tried to comfort me. "I shouldn't have forgotten such an important day. I'll make it up to you with a gift tomorrow."I insisted. "I only want that necklace."I wanted to give him a chance. The video's angle didn't show the woman's face. Maybe it wasn't as scandalous as it seemed.Bryant hesitated for a moment, and I looked at him, puzzled. "Can't you do this for me? Asking Steven to give up one of his flings for your sake shouldn't be a problem, right?"After a pause, he finally spoke, "I'll call tomorrow. It's not right to forcefully take what someone loves."‘Is the someone him or her?’ I wondered.I couldn't press further. "Okay.""Have you been waiting to eat with me?" As Bryant cleared the table, his graceful hands moved over the fine cutlery.I nodded. "Yeah, it's our anniversary, after all."When I got up to help, he stopped me with a gentle voice. "Just sit. Let me cook some pasta for you.""Okay." While watching him like that, my doubts momentarily faded.Could a strayed man ever be this casual and caring?It was odd. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Bryant was also a whiz in the kitchen, whipping up delicious meals in no time.Yet, he hardly ever cooked. But he served up an enticing tomato meat sauce pasta in about fifteen minutes."It’s not bad!" I didn't hold back my praise after taking a bite. "Who taught you to cook? It is better than any restaurant’s food."He seemed momentarily lost in thought, his expression clouded. After a half-minute pause, he said quietly, "For those two years I spent studying abroad, I had to learn to fend for myself to satisfy my cravings for home."It was just casual conversation on my part, and I didn't think much more of it.After bathing and lying in bed, it was already past three in the morning.Behind me, Bryant's warm body pressed against mine, his chin resting in the crook of my neck, gently nuzzling."Feeling it?" His voice was rough as if sanded down, his breath on my skin sending shivers down my spine.Before I could respond, he leaned over, his hand slipping under the hem of my silk nightdress.He was always dominant in bed, leaving little room for resistance.But this time, I had to decline. "Honey, not tonight..." My voice was as weak as my body, melting into a puddle."Hmm?" Bryant continued to kiss my neck, his hand venturing lower, his words turning my cheeks scarlet. "This seems quite welcoming. Don't you agree?""I... I have a stomachache today."At that, he finally ceased his actions, gently kissing my earlobe and pulling me into his embrace. "I forgot it. You're due for your period."My relaxation was short-lived as I turned to gaze at him, unblinking. "My period was at the beginning of the month. It's already passed.""Is that so?" He seemed calm, questioning himself, "My memory must've played tricks on me. Is the pain severe? Maybe Emma should take you to the clinic tomorrow."I replied, "I've already been this morning.""What did the doctor say?" asked Bryant.I lowered my eyes, hesitating briefly.The doctor had said I was five weeks pregnant. The stomach pain was due to a threatened miscarriage, advising me to take progesterone supplements and check back for the fetal heartbeat in a fortnight.Finding out about the pregnancy on our anniversary should have been the best gift.I had hidden the pregnancy test in a small glass jar and buried it in a homemade cake, planning to surprise Bryant during our candlelit dinner.But at the moment, that cake was still untouched in the fridge."It's nothing serious. Maybe I've had too many cold drinks lately." I kept it hidden for the time, thinking everything would be fine if that necklace returned the next day.But if it didn't, our marriage would be strained by the presence of the other woman. Telling him about the baby would then seem pointless.That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.No woman could come to terms with the possibility of her husband's infidelity.Unexpectedly, the issue weighing on my mind soon evolved.The next day, while Bryant was still in the bathroom, there was a knock on the door.Just having changed, I opened it to find Emma pointing downstairs. "Mrs. Ferguson, Miss Margaret is here, saying she's returning something."Margaret Ferguson, Bryant's step-sister from his stepmother, older by two years, was technically a Ferguson family lady.Sent by the Ferguson family to look after us, Emma habitually referred to her as "Miss Margaret."I was puzzled. Margaret and I hardly interacted outside family gatherings at the Ferguson Mansion, let alone exchanged belongings."Returning something?" I was curious."Yes, it's in an elegant jewelry box. It looks like some jewel," Emma replied.‘Jewelry?’ I frowned slightly and raised my voice to Bryant, who had just entered the bathroom. "Bryant, Margaret is here. I'm going down to see her."Almost instantly, Bryant emerged, his expression colder than I had ever seen before."I'll handle it. You don't need to worry about it. Go freshen up." Bryant, always composed and reserved before me, spoke with a hint of unspoken emotion, sounding irritated and anxious.A strange feeling arose within me. "I've freshened up. Remember? I even squeezed the toothpaste out for you.""Okay then. Let's go down together. We shouldn't keep our guest waiting." Bryant said.I grabbed his hand, and we made our way downstairs.The staircase spiraled elegantly, and halfway down, we could see Margaret sitting gracefully on the sofa in her simple white dress.She looked up at the sound of our footsteps, her smile serene. When her gaze fell on Bryant and me holding hands, her cup trembled slightly, spilling a few drops.It must have been a bit hot, and she cried out softly in her flurry, "Ah..."Bryant quickly withdrew his hand and rushed down the stairs, taking the cup from her with a mix of panic and haste. "How can you be so careless? Can't even hold a cup properly?"His tone was stern and harsh, leaving no room for argument. He then grabbed Margaret's hand and brought her to the sink to rinse off with cold water.Feeling helpless, Margaret tried to pull her hand back. "I'm fine. You're making a big deal out of nothing.""Shut up. Burns can scar if not treated properly, you know?" Bryant scolded sharply, still not letting go.I stood on the stairs, dazed, watching the scene unfold, my mind a whirl.Images flashed through my mind. When we first married, I learned Bryant had a sensitive stomach and began to cook. Even though we had Emma, her dishes didn't quite agree with him.As a beginner, I often cut or burnt myself. One time, I accidentally tipped over a pot, and the splashing oil made me clench my teeth in pain.Hearing the commotion, Bryant came over, as always, and said gently, "Are you okay? You go and take care of that. I can finish up here."He acted gentle and caring yet so detached.I sometimes had the nagging feeling that something was off. But having secretly adored Bryant for so many years, with countless diary entries about him, marrying him was more than enough for me. I thought perhaps it was just his nature to be reserved and subdued....Emma interrupted, "It was lemonade that I got for Miss Margaret."Emma's muttering snapped me back to reality. My vision blurred, and my heart felt as if it was tightly clenched, making it hard to breathe.Bryant had personally taken the cup from Margaret. But in his concern, he failed to notice whether the liquid was hot or cold.I took a deep breath and stepped down the stairs, my voice tinged with sarcasm. "Honey, Emma got Margaret some lemonade. It's cold. It won’t burn. Maybe you should worry if she might get frostbite instead?" I couldn't hold back the sarcasm.Bryant froze, then let go of her hand, avoiding my gaze, and scolded Margaret, "Crying out over cold water? Only you would be so fussy."Margaret shot him a look and then turned to me with a gentle smile. "That's just how he is, always overreacting. Don't mind him."Then, she walked over to the coffee table, picked up a velvet gift box, clearly expensive just by its craftsmanship, and handed it to me.With a warm smile, she said, "This belongs to you."I took it, feeling my nails dig into my palm. A storm surged within me.‘The woman in the video, was it Margaret?’ I wondered.When I looked up again, hiding my emotions, I tried to smile, but couldn't.Just the night before, I had forced Bryant to take back the necklace, and at the moment, holding it in my hand, I couldn’t feel any relief.I looked at Bryant, probing, as he avoided my gaze. Then, he pulled me close. "Do you like it? If yes, it's all yours. If not, feel free to pass it on. It's just a trinket, not worth much. I'll buy you another gift."Chapter 3On our third wedding anniversary, Bryant Ferguson paid big money to get me the necklace I'd been eyeing for ages.Everyone around us said he was head over heels in love with me.Filled with joy, I was busy preparing a candlelit dinner when a video popped up on my phone. In the video, Bryant put the necklace around another woman's neck, saying, "Congrats on your fresh start."It turned out it wasn't just our anniversary. It was also the day his first love was finalizing her divorce.---I never imagined something like this could happen to me. Though my marriage to Bryant wasn't born out of a whirlwind romance, he always played the role of the doting husband in public.I sat at the dining table, staring at the cold steak and the trending topic, [Bryant Spends Millions To Make His Wife's Happy.]It all felt like a cruel joke.At 2 a.m., a sleek black Mercedes finally pulled into the driveway.I could see him stepping out through the glass door, impeccably dressed in a tailor-made dark suit, his presence commanding yet elegant."Why are you still up?" Bryant turned on the lights, surprised to find me in the dining room.Trying to stand up, I fell back into the chair, my legs numb. "I’m waiting for you." I replied."Missed me?" Bryant gave a casual smile, poured himself a glass of water, and glanced at the untouched dinner with a hint of surprise.He wanted to play it cool, so I suppressed my feelings, reaching out to him with a smile. "Happy anniversary. You got me a gift?""Sorry, I was so busy today. I forgot it." He paused for a second, realizing what day it was, and tried to ruffle my hair, which I instinctively dodged.I didn't know where his hands had been tonight, and the thought disgusted me.He looked slightly stunned.Pretending not to notice, I kept smiling. "Don't try to fool me. You specifically bid on my favorite necklace. It's all over the news! Give it to me.""Jane..." Bryant slowly withdrew his hand, his expression unreadable, his voice calm. "I bid that necklace for Steven."---As the internet says, a buddy is always the best shield.I struggled to keep my smile. "Is that so?""Yeah, you know how he attracts girls." Bryant's tone and expression were flawless.While looking at him in the lights, his perfect features made me wonder if I ever knew this man. And I began to question, was this the first time he lied to me? Or had I been too trusting before? I wouldn't have doubted his explanation if it hadn't been for that anonymous video.Seeing my silence, he patiently tried to comfort me. "I shouldn't have forgotten such an important day. I'll make it up to you with a gift tomorrow."I insisted. "I only want that necklace."I wanted to give him a chance. The video's angle didn't show the woman's face. Maybe it wasn't as scandalous as it seemed.Bryant hesitated for a moment, and I looked at him, puzzled. "Can't you do this for me? Asking Steven to give up one of his flings for your sake shouldn't be a problem, right?"After a pause, he finally spoke, "I'll call tomorrow. It's not right to forcefully take what someone loves."‘Is the someone him or her?’ I wondered.I couldn't press further. "Okay.""Have you been waiting to eat with me?" As Bryant cleared the table, his graceful hands moved over the fine cutlery.I nodded. "Yeah, it's our anniversary, after all."When I got up to help, he stopped me with a gentle voice. "Just sit. Let me cook some pasta for you.""Okay." While watching him like that, my doubts momentarily faded.Could a strayed man ever be this casual and caring?It was odd. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Bryant was also a whiz in the kitchen, whipping up delicious meals in no time.Yet, he hardly ever cooked. But he served up an enticing tomato meat sauce pasta in about fifteen minutes."It’s not bad!" I didn't hold back my praise after taking a bite. "Who taught you to cook? It is better than any restaurant’s food."He seemed momentarily lost in thought, his expression clouded. After a half-minute pause, he said quietly, "For those two years I spent studying abroad, I had to learn to fend for myself to satisfy my cravings for home."It was just casual conversation on my part, and I didn't think much more of it.After bathing and lying in bed, it was already past three in the morning.Behind me, Bryant's warm body pressed against mine, his chin resting in the crook of my neck, gently nuzzling."Feeling it?" His voice was rough as if sanded down, his breath on my skin sending shivers down my spine.Before I could respond, he leaned over, his hand slipping under the hem of my silk nightdress.He was always dominant in bed, leaving little room for resistance.But this time, I had to decline. "Honey, not tonight..." My voice was as weak as my body, melting into a puddle."Hmm?" Bryant continued to kiss my neck, his hand venturing lower, his words turning my cheeks scarlet. "This seems quite welcoming. Don't you agree?""I... I have a stomachache today."At that, he finally ceased his actions, gently kissing my earlobe and pulling me into his embrace. "I forgot it. You're due for your period."My relaxation was short-lived as I turned to gaze at him, unblinking. "My period was at the beginning of the month. It's already passed.""Is that so?" He seemed calm, questioning himself, "My memory must've played tricks on me. Is the pain severe? Maybe Emma should take you to the clinic tomorrow."I replied, "I've already been this morning.""What did the doctor say?" asked Bryant.I lowered my eyes, hesitating briefly.The doctor had said I was five weeks pregnant. The stomach pain was due to a threatened miscarriage, advising me to take progesterone supplements and check back for the fetal heartbeat in a fortnight.Finding out about the pregnancy on our anniversary should have been the best gift.I had hidden the pregnancy test in a small glass jar and buried it in a homemade cake, planning to surprise Bryant during our candlelit dinner.But at the moment, that cake was still untouched in the fridge."It's nothing serious. Maybe I've had too many cold drinks lately." I kept it hidden for the time, thinking everything would be fine if that necklace returned the next day.But if it didn't, our marriage would be strained by the presence of the other woman. Telling him about the baby would then seem pointless.That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.No woman could come to terms with the possibility of her husband's infidelity.Unexpectedly, the issue weighing on my mind soon evolved.The next day, while Bryant was still in the bathroom, there was a knock on the door.Just having changed, I opened it to find Emma pointing downstairs. "Mrs. Ferguson, Miss Margaret is here, saying she's returning something."Margaret Ferguson, Bryant's step-sister from his stepmother, older by two years, was technically a Ferguson family lady.Sent by the Ferguson family to look after us, Emma habitually referred to her as "Miss Margaret."I was puzzled. Margaret and I hardly interacted outside family gatherings at the Ferguson Mansion, let alone exchanged belongings."Returning something?" I was curious."Yes, it's in an elegant jewelry box. It looks like some jewel," Emma replied.‘Jewelry?’ I frowned slightly and raised my voice to Bryant, who had just entered the bathroom. "Bryant, Margaret is here. I'm going down to see her."Almost instantly, Bryant emerged, his expression colder than I had ever seen before."I'll handle it. You don't need to worry about it. Go freshen up." Bryant, always composed and reserved before me, spoke with a hint of unspoken emotion, sounding irritated and anxious.A strange feeling arose within me. "I've freshened up. Remember? I even squeezed the toothpaste out for you.""Okay then. Let's go down together. We shouldn't keep our guest waiting." Bryant said.I grabbed his hand, and we made our way downstairs.The staircase spiraled elegantly, and halfway down, we could see Margaret sitting gracefully on the sofa in her simple white dress.She looked up at the sound of our footsteps, her smile serene. When her gaze fell on Bryant and me holding hands, her cup trembled slightly, spilling a few drops.It must have been a bit hot, and she cried out softly in her flurry, "Ah..."Bryant quickly withdrew his hand and rushed down the stairs, taking the cup from her with a mix of panic and haste. "How can you be so careless? Can't even hold a cup properly?"His tone was stern and harsh, leaving no room for argument. He then grabbed Margaret's hand and brought her to the sink to rinse off with cold water.Feeling helpless, Margaret tried to pull her hand back. "I'm fine. You're making a big deal out of nothing.""Shut up. Burns can scar if not treated properly, you know?" Bryant scolded sharply, still not letting go.I stood on the stairs, dazed, watching the scene unfold, my mind a whirl.Images flashed through my mind. When we first married, I learned Bryant had a sensitive stomach and began to cook. Even though we had Emma, her dishes didn't quite agree with him.As a beginner, I often cut or burnt myself. One time, I accidentally tipped over a pot, and the splashing oil made me clench my teeth in pain.Hearing the commotion, Bryant came over, as always, and said gently, "Are you okay? You go and take care of that. I can finish up here."He acted gentle and caring yet so detached.I sometimes had the nagging feeling that something was off. But having secretly adored Bryant for so many years, with countless diary entries about him, marrying him was more than enough for me. I thought perhaps it was just his nature to be reserved and subdued....Emma interrupted, "It was lemonade that I got for Miss Margaret."Emma's muttering snapped me back to reality. My vision blurred, and my heart felt as if it was tightly clenched, making it hard to breathe.Bryant had personally taken the cup from Margaret. But in his concern, he failed to notice whether the liquid was hot or cold.I took a deep breath and stepped down the stairs, my voice tinged with sarcasm. "Honey, Emma got Margaret some lemonade. It's cold. It won’t burn. Maybe you should worry if she might get frostbite instead?" I couldn't hold back the sarcasm.Bryant froze, then let go of her hand, avoiding my gaze, and scolded Margaret, "Crying out over cold water? Only you would be so fussy."Margaret shot him a look and then turned to me with a gentle smile. "That's just how he is, always overreacting. Don't mind him."Then, she walked over to the coffee table, picked up a velvet gift box, clearly expensive just by its craftsmanship, and handed it to me.With a warm smile, she said, "This belongs to you."I took it, feeling my nails dig into my palm. A storm surged within me.‘The woman in the video, was it Margaret?’ I wondered.When I looked up again, hiding my emotions, I tried to smile, but couldn't.Just the night before, I had forced Bryant to take back the necklace, and at the moment, holding it in my hand, I couldn’t feel any relief.I looked at Bryant, probing, as he avoided my gaze. Then, he pulled me close. "Do you like it? If yes, it's all yours. If not, feel free to pass it on. It's just a trinket, not worth much. I'll buy you another gift."