That evening, the house felt heavy again. I was setting the dining table when the front door opened, and Andrew walked in. He walked toward me, removing his suit jacket. When he got close, he wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, kissing my cheek.

“Mmm, smells amazing,” he said, leaning over my shoulder to take a look. “Where’s Kelly?”

“She’s upstairs in her room doing her homework,” I said, keeping my voice as casual as possible as I turned to face him. “How was your day at the office?”

“Tiring,” he sighed.

I poured him a glass of water from the jug, handing it to him.

“Thanks, babe. The Chicago team called eventually, and they’ve agreed to move on with the contract,” he said, taking a sip of water.

“Oh, that’s good news.”

“Yeah, it is. Glad that whole mess is behind us now. What about you? Did you do anything today?”

I watched as his hand grasped the glass.

“Oh, nothing much,” I muttered. “Well, Jenny actually called today. We ended up grabbing a quick coffee downtown.”

Andrew didn’t even blink or hesitate. “Oh yeah? How’s she?”

“Good,” I said. “She actually asked about you.” I paused, watching his eyes. “Have you run into her recently?”

“Me?” Andrew chuckled, setting the glass down. “Not in months. Why?”

“No reason,” I muttered. “She just mentioned your name, so it crossed my mind.”

“Let me take a shower. I’ll be down in a minute.” He kissed my cheek and hurried upstairs.

I watched as he headed upstairs. Something wasn’t right. My best friend said she saw him downtown, and Andrew was miles away. Both couldn’t be true.

Jenny’s warning echoed in my head again.

Don’t build your whole life around a man just because you trust him.

…………

At noon the following day, I decided to visit Andrew at the company. I made some of his favorite food and took it along. I hadn’t stepped foot in the company for years after I handed everything over to Andrew.

When I entered the building, I felt proud. Years ago, after my parents passed away, I had mortgaged the only house they left me. I secured clients and built this company from the ground up.

Now, it felt like walking into a dream. Looking around, my eye caught the faded original company logo near the elevators, the one I had designed myself. But everything was much different now.

Dozens of employees moved around confidently, holding tablets and folders. Nobody looked at me twice. I felt like a ghost walking through my own life.

I walked up to the reception desk. A young woman with heavy makeup was typing on the keyboard.

“Hi, good morning,” I said, forcing a polite smile. “I’m looking for Andrew.”

The receptionist didn’t look up immediately. When she did, she offered a professional, rehearsed smile.

“Name, please? And do you have an appointment?”

The question caught me off guard. I managed a nervous smile

“No. I’m his wife.”

The receptionist paused, her fingers hovering over the keys.

“I’m sorry, which wife?”

I felt humiliated, but quickly brushed it off. She was probably a new employee. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Andrew Evans. The CEO.”

“Oh, Mr. Evans.”

I relaxed slightly. “Yes. Is he in?”

She offered a sympathetic look."Oh, I’m sorry. He actually just left with his wife.”

My brain stopped working almost immediately.

“I’m sorry?” I managed to say.

“Mr. Evans just left for a lunch meeting with Mrs. Evans,” she explained casually.

I stood there—the woman legally married to Andrew, the mother of his child, the woman who had signed the original incorporation papers. And this stranger was telling me that another woman was Mrs. Evans.

“Are you okay, ma’am?” she asked.

I wasn’t. Hell no.

“Does she… come here often?” I asked, keeping my voice calm.

“Oh, yes,” the receptionist said. “If you want to meet her, come around in the morning when the boss is around. She’s a very nice person.”

“And she’s Mrs. Evans?” I pressed my hand against my heart.

The lady gave me a puzzled look.

“Yes. Miss, are you okay?” she asked again.

I couldn’t bring myself to answer. I was hurt, angry, humiliated, and deeply confused. This wasn’t a dirty one-night-stand affair or a hotel affair. If another woman was openly playing the role of his wife at my own company, it meant this had been going on long enough for an entire staff to know and accept her as their boss’s wife.

I just turned around slowly.Just as I reached the glass door, I suddenly heard the receptionist’s voice.

“Mrs. Evans, you’re here.”

My heart stopped for a second.Ignoring the ache in my chest, I slowly turned around.