Chapter 3

3.

I had no idea what kind of nonsense excuse she was preparing.

All I knew was that if she came home and showed genuine remorse, I might still find it in me to forgive her.

I took our daughter from the nanny’s arms.

Looking down at her innocent, sleeping face, I desperately wanted to give her a complete, happy family.

Could I actually save this marriage?

An hour later, Natalie barged through the door with Maya.

She had washed off her heavy makeup and changed into casual clothes.

“Maya, tell Sean how cosplay works! Tell him I didn’t cheat!”

Natalie dragged Maya onto the couch.

She didn't glance at our daughter in my arms even once.

A wave of bitterness washed over me.

This was her child, too.

“Sean, what happened between Natalie and Landon really isn’t what you think,” Maya said with an exasperated roll of her eyes.

“They were just doing an immersive acting session, fully getting into character. It’s basically live roleplay theater.”

Of course. Birds of a feather.

They shared the exact same warped morals.

I ignored Maya and continued gently rocking our baby to sleep.

Natalie lost her temper immediately.

She lunged forward and grabbed my arm, her long acrylic nails digging into my flesh.

“Maya is talking to you! Did you hear a single word?”

“Yeah,” I muttered flatly.

“‘Yeah’? What kind of attitude is that?”

“Answer me! Do you understand now or not?”

She was desperate for my validation.

“I hear you, but I don’t buy it. Making out with another man is cheating, plain and simple. If you keep seeing him, we’re getting a divorce.”

In ten years of marriage, I had never spoken to her with such firmness.

Her face turned livid.

Before I could react, she raised her hand and slapped me hard across the face.

“I explained everything, and you’re still being an asshole!”

Furious, she grabbed a fistful of my hair and tried to strike me again.

Over the years, she had always resorted to hitting me whenever she lost her temper, and I had always swallowed it.

“Hit him, Natalie! Show him who’s boss!” Maya cheered from the couch, egging her on.

“Men like him need to be put in their place!”

Natalie clawed at my face, scratching my cheek.

The baby woke up in terror and began wailing.

I shoved Natalie away with all my strength.

“Enough!”

“You’re yelling at me?”

Natalie stared at me in shock before bursting into theatrical tears.

“Sean, you’re a disgusting scumbag! How dare you raise your voice at me!”