Chapter 3

3 We became close. His condition improved dramatically. By the time he was discharged, he was practically a different person. He invited me over for dinner, cooking an elaborate meal. After our time at the hospital, I considered him a friend, so I had a few drinks. I didn't expect those few drinks would lead to him taking my virginity.

When I woke up, he said he'd been drunk but would take responsibility. Soon after, he proposed. The day before the wedding, he said, "Evelyn, can we hold off on the legal paperwork for now? Just have the ceremony?"

"Why?"

"My family doesn't approve. They won't give me the necessary documents. We can make it official later, I promise."

I agreed. He kept saying he couldn't get the paperwork, and it dragged on for six years. I bore his child, cooked his meals, took care of our home. In the end, I had no legal standing, just the label of "mistress."

"Evelyn, let me explain," David pleaded, pulling me into his arms. "She was just a… a mistake."

"So, you didn't marry me legally because you were already married to her?" I stared into his eyes.

"It was a business arrangement…"

"Slap!" I couldn't control myself. I slapped him hard across the face, tears streaming down my cheeks. "You lied to me for six years! David, how could you? What about our son? How are we supposed to live in this house now?"

My slap left a red mark on his face, but he didn't react angrily. Instead, he dropped to his knees. "Evelyn, it doesn't have to change anything. She doesn't live here full-time. She'll be gone soon. We can continue as we were."

His words were absurd. Did he even hear himself? "So, you want me to keep being your mistress?"

He remained silent. I pushed him away. "I'm leaving. I'm taking our son."

As I turned to leave, he shouted, "I won't allow it! You won't see our son until you've calmed down!"

I froze, a chilling wave washing over me. Our son, Lucas, had been sent to live abroad shortly after his birth. David claimed it was for a better education. He'd never even told me exactly where Lucas was. Now he was using him against me.