Chapter 3

3.

We had been married for seven years and shared a five-year-old son, with our relationship always remaining steady.

Even if Chloe wanted to tempt him into cheating, I believed he wouldn't take the bait.

What I did not expect was that she had already started manipulating my son.

Although work kept me busy, I always picked Chase up from school whenever I had free time.

He used to run into my arms with joy, but this time his face stayed cold.

"Chloe always picks me up! I want her to come! If you are so busy with work, why don't you just get lost and go back to your office?"

Furious, I grabbed his collar at the school gate and raised my hand, but other parents quickly held me back.

"How dare you talk to me like that! Just wait until we get home!"

The moment the words left my mouth, Chase threw himself onto the ground and wailed.

He made it clear that if Chloe did not show up, he would refuse to leave.

With passersby staring, I had no choice but to text Chloe to come over.

The second Chloe arrived, she pulled Chase into a tight hug.

"Auntie is here, sweetie. Don't cry. Let's get into Mommy's car and go home together."

Only then did my son stop crying and climb quietly into the back seat.

Back home, seeing his failing test score of sixteen percent made my blood boil all over again.

This time, I tried to stay calm and speak to him gently.

"Chase, did you miss these questions because you did not understand the lesson, or were you just being careless?"

I crouched down so we were eye to eye.

Without warning, he shoved me hard, sending me crashing onto the floor.

Since a gentle tone didn't work, I refused to indulge his bad behavior.

"Your behavior today is deeply disappointing. Go stand in the corner."

Chase's lower lip quivered as he prepared for another tantrum.

Hearing the noise, Chloe rushed in. "What happened? Why is Chase crying again?"

My son sobbed and threw himself into her arms, pointing a finger at me.

"I do not want you as my mom! I want Chloe to be my mommy!"

I watched the two of them with cold detachment.

It turned out Chloe had already started her scheme through my son.

"Chase, if you think I am a bad mother, you are free to find whoever you want. But you will not stay in the house I bought, nor will you play with the toys I paid for."

Hearing that, my son wailed even louder.

Chloe stroked his back and murmured, "Be good, Chase. You cannot make Mommy angry, or you won't get to live in such a big mansion or play with all these expensive imported toys."

I froze, narrowing my eyes at Chloe.

Her words confirmed my worst suspicions.

Chase's sudden hostility toward me was entirely her doing.