Chapter 3
He was in a deep sleep, and I unlocked his phone with his finger.
I found the call log from midnight yesterday, and after a while, something clicked for me.
The familiar number caught my eye. I’d seen it before.
Three months ago, after Winston got injured while hiking and was sent to the hospital, I got the number of the person who helped call 911 through the police.
I’d always been sensitive to numbers, and my memory was off the chart. So, I couldn’t be mistaken.
At that time, I dialed the number in front of the police, and a woman answered.
She sounded gentle and kind, and somewhat old.
With a tender tone, she turned down the idea of meeting me or taking any compensation, telling me she was just doing what felt right.
After the call ended, the officer smiled and explained that this lady would never accept any gifts.
After pressing for details, I learned that when they were collecting her statement, the police recognized her.
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She was once on the TV because of her kind act and
self–sacrifice.
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“She’s had a tough life. Her newlywed husband suffered a stroke and became paralyzed at their wedding. Her stepson was only seven years old back then. For thirteen years, she cared for him tirelessly, raising the child on her own. After her husband past away last year, she began to run a lamb soup stall near the park
entrance.”
“Someone with such integrity would never accept material rewards.,” The police added.
I nodded gratefully and uttered, “Well, my husband was lucky. Glad that she saved his life.”
As I snapped out of it, I stared at the screen for a long time before opening the photo album in the dead of the night.
Winston didn’t set any password to block unwanted visitors, probably because he was overly confident or he thought I would never do what I was doing now.
The screen flooded with images of the very same woman.
In one photo, steam rose from the food truck at night, glowing under the warm light bulbs.
With a warm smile, the woman skillfully handled ingredients or chatted warmly with customers, each moment capturing the peaceful charm of everyday life.
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Hundreds of photos showed the seasonal changes, her clothes. changing from summer tank tops to winter coats.
Three days later, I showed up in front of the “Cornelia Flavor Lamb Soup” food truck.
There, I saw the woman leaning down, whispering to a stray cat.
“Cornelia, looks like you only have eyes for the furry ones. You don’t even care about business,” joked a male customer waiting. for his food.
Cornelia hurriedly stood up, fixing her hair, and replied a bit awkwardly, “I’m so sorry, I just felt bad for this little one and lost track of time.”
“Don’t be. You’re kind–hearted,” another person chimed in, “These little creatures know you’re soft–hearted and come for food every day.”
After the customers left, I knocked on the stainless steel counter.
“Could I get a bowl of lamb soup, please?”
“Alright!”
With that, Cornelia started to get the soup ready.
Amid the misty steam, I quietly observed her.
She was around thirty–five and thirty–six years old, with fine
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lines at the corners of her eyes. Though the young girl vibe was long gone in her, she had that gentle grace that specifically belonged to middle–aged women.
And with her hair casually tied in a low ponytail and locks of her hair draped over her forehead, she looked attractive.
“Since you’re new here, I’ll give you more soup,” she said with a light laugh while ladling the soup.
My taste buds savored the unique dense texture of the organs, while my mind was full of questions.
Cornelia had been through a lot and seemed like a kind and nice.
woman.
So, was it possible that she was a homewrecker?
Was it?
Before I knew it, Cornelia had already sat down in front of me.
I was slightly stunned.
She gave a gentle smile, her bright eyes looking at me.
“You’re Mr. Lizzie’s wife, right?”
I put down the spoon and met her gaze.
“So, you know me,” I responded.
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teju joy jou odwres
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She smiled, “I have a good memory. I saw you once on Mr. Lizzie’s phone and recognized you.”
I frowned, remembering what it was about..
Winston used to have a photo of me and our son as the
wallpaper of his phone. But six months ago, he changed it to a landscape photo.
She lowered her eyes, stayed silent for a few seconds, then spoke softly.
“I know why you’re here. You probably think there’s something going on between me and Mr. Lizzie, right?”
I didn’t answer.
She slowly raised her eyes, her expression warm and sincere.
“Just so you know, there’s nothing going on between us. The only interaction we have is him stopping by for a bowl of soup after his run.”
As she said this, a trace of worry crept on her face.
“Later, I noticed he always seemed down while drinking the soup. He barely talked to anyone, looking really stressed. So, I tried to comfort him a few times. Who would’ve thought he probably misunderstood me.”
“He started saying some far–fetched things, which sounded funny. Not to mention he’s married. Even if he were single, he
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wouldn’t have shown the slightest interest in me. He’s rich and powerful, after all.”
“I told him not to act out on impulse, but he wouldn’t listen. It got even worse. Sometimes, he’d call and tell me ridiculous things.”
“Actually, even if you hadn’t come to me, I was planning to talk to you. Mr. Lizzie must be under too much pressure, which is why he’s acting out of control. As his wife, maybe you can help him more.”
I stared at the layer of white grease slowly solidifying along the edge of the bowl.
“So, you mean all of this is Winston pestering you one–sidedly, and you’ve actually been trying to dissuade him?”
Cornelia sighed softly and nodded slowly.
I looked up at her and asked, “He installed a camera in our bedroom, facing our bedroom so you could monitor real–time if we’re getting intimate. And he did it against your view?”
Cornelia froze for a second, then explained, “I’ve already scolded him harshly for this. It’s absolutely outrageous!”
I continued, “What about that time you went hiking? He carried you went hiking? He carried on his back you because you said your feet hurt and ended up falling off a cliff. Was that also him forcing you to go against your will?”
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Cornelia widened her eyes in astonishment, and she sprang up from the seal.
“Hiking? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I looked at her coldly.
“Didn’t you say you have a good memory? I even called to thank you that time, and you’ve forgotten so soon?”
At this moment, a customer shouted, “Large order to–go.”
Cornelia pressed her lips together, hurried to the stall, and stiffly lifted the ladle to serve the soup.
“Clang-”
With a metallic clash, the pot full of lamb soup tipped over, the scalding broth and ingredients all over the ground.
Hot soup splashed on her, and Cornelia cried out in pain, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.
The customer cursed and left in a huff.
I looked at the mess in front of me, grabbed my bag to avoid the mutton smell, and got ready to leave.
Suddenly, she raised her voice and shouted, “Sorry!”
I stopped and frowned at her.
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She stood there awkwardly, softly sobbing.
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“Sorry, I did hide this from you. That day, I was upsel over my stepson’s fight, and Winston happened to come by, saying hiking could make my mood better. So, I went with him. After he fell off the cliff, I panicked and called the police but didn’t dare to see you, afraid you’d misunderstand.”
Tears streamed down her face, and her hand was covered in blisters from the hot soup, looking pitiful and miserable.
“Esther, what are you doing!”
A stern reprimand came from behind.
Turning around, I saw Winston storming over with an angry face.
I was dazed for a split second.
It had been ages since I last saw him so worked up over something.
He was wearing the dark blue suit for formal negotiations, which meant he had dropped everything important and rushed over here.
I remembered that one time, when I called him for help after having a car accident, he insisted on finishing his business meeting before heading to the hospital.
Winston glanced at the mess on the floor, then at the sobbing
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Cornelia. His jaw clenched as he walked to her side, anger written all over his face. He looked down at the helpless, disheveled woman and suddenly pulled her into his arms.
“Are you hurt? Did she hurt you?” He asked Cornelia.
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Cornelia buried her face in his chest and suddenly burst into tears, her voice full of grievance.
Winston closed his eyes in distress and gently comforted her.
“Don’t cry. Cornelia, don’t cry. Remember what you always say? It’s all over now. Your hard days are completely over. From now on, nothing is worth you shedding tears for!”
Up till now, he’d never spared me a glance.
I took out my phone and snapped a few photos of them.
The sound of the shutter was crisp and clear.
Immediately, Cornelia pushed Winston away. She retreated a few steps, looking all frustrated and embarrassed, as if she had just realized what she had done.
She looked at me in panic and hastily explained, “I forgot, I didn’t mean to, I-”
Somehow, words got stuck in her throat.
And I was just staring at her with a stern face.
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Then Winston cut in, his voice deep, “No need for excuses. I’ll handle it.”
When he turned to look at me, he had already returned to his usual composed and commanding demeanor as a top lawyer.
“Esther, whatever it is, talk about it later. Your university is nearby, and there are many students coming and going in the park. Arguing here does no one any good. Besides…”
He glanced at the messy ground and went on, “Is it fun to give Cornelia a hard time? She’s all on her own.”
I looked at him coldly, keeping my voice steady. “You know a lot of my students come and go here, right? You’re my husband, but here you are, hugging a widow like you two belong to each other. Do you find it thrilling?”
Hearing that, Winston raised his brows in disbelief.
After all, I’d always been gentle, elegant, and composed in front of him. He’d never seen this side of me before.
Heck, even I hadn’t.
“I have every reason to slap you two, but that doesn’t mean you can blame me for something I’ve never done.”
I turned my head and asked Cornelia, who was quietly tidying up.
“Ms. Leopold, you’re quiet. Don’t tell me you really plan to let
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me take the fall for this.”
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She flinched slightly, raising her head and speaking louder a few seconds later:
“Fine, stop arguing. I knocked it over myself. Is that good enough for you?”
Then she looked over to Winston, her eyes still brimming with
tears.
“Mr. Lizzie, please take your wife and leave now. Stay out of my business. From now on, I won’t serve the two of you. Please don’t come again!”
Gradually, the passersby dropped by for the show.
“What happened here? What’s going on?”
“Cornelia, is someone giving you trouble?”
“Who bullied Cornelia? Come at me if you dare!”
I sensed some of them eyeing me with ill intention.
Winston’s face darkened, and he grabbed my hand, heading. straight to the parking lot.
I couldn’t break free from his grip and could only stumble along.
On the way, we ran into a student holding a basketball, grinning as he greeted me.
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“Hello, ma’am!”
I smiled and nodded back.
“Hello.”
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At the parking lot, I forcefully shook off his hand and calmly walked toward my car.
The trees on both sides quickly blurred past as I drove down the road, and tears finally broke free, streaming down my cheeks.
I gave myself half an hour to pull myself together, during which I experienced anger, pain, acceptance, and calmness.
Then I turned the steering wheel and headed to the bank.
Winston and I had a joint account where both our salaries, bonuses, and earnings were deposited.
Back when we opened the account, he said to me with a smile, “You always complain that I don’t express my love for you openly, don’t you? Well, the account is in your hands now. From now on, I’ll deposit money into it. You and Abbott can spend the money as you like. How does this sound?”
The staff’s words pulled my mind back a while later.
He informed me, “This account has been frozen due to a loan. guarantee default. Didn’t you know it, ma’am?”
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That hit me like tons of bricks, my hands and feet cold.
I asked, “When did this happen?”
“Two months ago.”
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At that time, he had just been discharged from the hospital, and
I was running a high fever from taking care of him.
Turns out, while I was still sick, he had already started to transfer his assets for the upcoming divorce.
How ironic and ridiculous.
Earlier, while I was still driving, I regretted acting on impulse and confronting him without thinking about the consequences.
But the cruel fact was, he had it all planned out.
When I got home, it was already midnight.
Winston was sitting on the sofa in his pajamas, drinking tea.
He calmly said, “Just sent Abbott to my mom’s place. Let’s talk this through.”
I took a scat, staring at him without a word.
He took another sip of tea and got it going, “I originally planned to break the news later, wanting you and our son to enjoy some more happy moments together. But since you made a scene today, let’s get to the point.”
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“Esther, I’ve fallen in love with Cornelia. I want a divorce.”
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Strangely, I felt nothing hearing that. I even mustered a smile.
“Tell me, Winston. What’s so good about her? We’ve been together for 10 years. Why turn your back on me?”
“If you have to get to the bottom of it…”
He frowned, replying with a soothing tone after a brief moment of silence, “Over the years, I’ve seen too many marriages full of calculation and deception. I basically lose faith in marriage until I met her.”
“She poured her heart into maintaining her marriage for years, the best time of her life, simply because of love and responsibility. She brought life to my stagnant existence.”
“You ask what I love about her? To be honest, I asked myself that question countless times before. She’s gentle and strong, like a flower blooming in the mud. Every cold night, she always brings me hot soup.”
As he spoke, he looked to be moved by his own words.
I sneered, “It’s not like the housekeeper has never made you hot soup. Yet, you went all the way just to have Cornelia’s, huh?”
Winston’s face darkened.
“Esther, you’re so full of yourself. You wouldn’t understand this
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kind of feeling.”
“Then leave with nothing, and I’ll agree to the divorce.” I nodded.
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He mocked, “That’s not gonna happen. Besides, you have no proof that Cornelia and I are having an affair.”
I stared at him blankly, as if looking at a stranger.
Since when did he become so cruel and cold–hearted?
As if seeing through my thought, Winston uttered, “Don’t put on that face. I have no feelings for you anymore, and I want a divorce. That’s totally normal.
“Back when I was stuck on that mountain waiting for rescue, I’d thought it through. Life is short, and I don’t want to be held back by anything. I want to be with Cornelia, even if it means taking the blame and dealing with the stigma. I just want to live for myself.”
“Esther, I’m a top divorce lawyer. I have millions of ways to make you divorce and leave with nothing. Just couldn’t bear to see you go through with it.”
I snorted, “Drop the act, you hypocrite! You already froze our bank account!”
“So, you looked it up? That’s just a common procedure for divorcing couples, in case accidents happen.”
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With a short pause, he continued, “The divorce agreement is ready. The money and the child go to me, and the house goes to you. But you’ll pay the remaining loans yourself.”
“I’ve made my fair share of sacrifice for our family. The agreement should be fair…”
Before he could finish, I grabbed the crystal ashtray and threw it
at him.
In no time, blood seeped through his fingers.
“Are you crazy?!!!” He snapped, shocked and furious.
The blood kept dripping down his forehead, and he quickly grabbed the car keys and rushed out.
I slowly sat down and poured myself a full cup of tea.
In just three days, my life completely fell apart.
After I left the bank, it dawned on me that Winston had gone against me with those slick tricks he learned over the years.
Compared to other women, I was more unfortunate, I guess.
On the one hand, I got cheated on. On the other hand, my husband was a divorce lawyer.
Over the years, he’d mastered a profit–first approach. If I kept
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indulging myself in grief, I’d be kicked out of the game without
mercy.
I had to make him taste his own medicine.
So, this time, before going home, I picked up Abbott from my mother–in–law’s place and left him with the chess teacher I could
trust.
I kept refilling my tea cup until moonlight crept onto the window frame.
As I got up to take out Winston’s diagnosis report, my phone buzzed.
Winston sent a message.
In the photo, with his forehead bandaged, he rested on a woman’s lap, his eyes closed.
Meanwhile, he was holding her hand.
Below the photo read: [Since you gave up on him, I won’t hold back anymore. Thank you for pushing me into his arms.]
This was a declaration of war.
Cornelia had been through seven layers of hell before. How could she possibly be all that innocent and pure?
She spilled the pot of soup on purpose that day.
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She lured me into her trap by apologizing to me because she had called Winston to come beforehand.
Too bad, Winston was kept in the dark about
all that.
“He’s so good for nothing!”
With that, I fed the diagnosis report to the shredder.
And the dust settled amidst the buzzing sound.
Now, I had two enemies: a “kind and gentle” mistress and a well–known divorce lawyer.
It looked like a war with no end, but I had to keep fighting.
The divorce was inevitable.
The money and my kid? I want them both.
More importantly, I wanted Winston and Cornelia to be trapped in each other’s mess forever.
They dared to play tricks on me?
Bring it on, then.
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