Beyond the Divorce

Chapter 1 Breadcrumbs of Clues

As night fell, I could finally relax after putting my daughter to bed. I grabbed my phone and mindlessly scrolled through Tik Tok when a street fashion live broadcast caught my eye.

I straightened up and focused on the screen, but the host had already switched the camera angle. My heart pounded, and my hands started to feel clammy as I held my phone. I checked the time and confirmed it was a live broadcast happening in the same city.

Then I hurriedly exited Tik Tok and video-called my husband, Matthew Murphy.

He was supposed to be on a three-day business trip in Canta, yet I just saw him on the live broadcast with another woman in his arms. The phone rang for a long while before he finally answered the call. Matthew's camera shook slightly, and his handsome face appeared on my phone's screen. He greeted me warmly, "Hey, honey!"

"Where are you?" I asked urgently as my eyes scanned the footage from his end. He looked like he was in a corridor of a restaurant, and he was wearing a white shirt and tie. However, the figure I saw in the live broadcast wore a gray windbreaker.

"I'm having dinner with a client. I came out to answer your call. What's up? Is there something wrong? Is Ava asleep?" He asked.

"Are you in Canta?" I sidestepped his question and asked again.

"Of course I am. Why? Is something wrong?" He looked at me seriously through the camera, full of curiosity.

"Oh! It's...nothing!" I mumbled absent-mindedly, then asked, "When are you coming home?"

"Soon... I'll be back once I wrap things up here. Do you miss me?" Matthew smiled affectionately at me, full of love. "I'll try to come home as soon as possible. It's getting late. Go to bed early, okay? I still have things to attend to. Bye!"

He blew a kiss to me and then hung up the call.

I held my phone, stunned and annoyed at myself for being suspicious. Matthew was an extraordinary, handsome, and doting husband, even though he was just a pauper when we first met. Although he was from an ordinary family with a sickly younger sister from the city, I chose him among my many admirers because of his looks.

After graduation, I used my parents' house as collateral to start a supply company with him and stayed by his side. Matthew was responsible for sourcing while I tirelessly dealt with clients to the point I almost suffered from gastric bleeding. Fortunately, the company grew and began thriving.

When I got pregnant, I decided to stop and entrusted the company to my husband while I focused on raising our child and managing our home.

Ava, our daughter, had turned four. We led a comfortable and well-off life as a family of three, which people were envious of.

Matthew felt so guilty that we didn't have a wedding ceremony that he promised to provide for me and make up for any grievances I suffered.

How could such a husband cheat?

I pursed my lips and smiled, realizing I had watched too many TV shows that evoked such ridiculous thoughts. When I laid back in bed, I still thought about the fleeting figure on the Tik Tok live.

I must have been thinking about Matthew too much. Also, the windbreaker looked familiar as it was the one I had ironed for him before his business trip. That meant the man in the live stream wore the same one, which confused me.

Matthew returned early the following day and brought many delicious treats for Ava. He hugged us both affectionately, creating a heartwarming atmosphere. I rushed to the kitchen happily to prepare several of his favorite dishes as a reward.

Matthew glanced at me as we sat to eat and casually said, "There's a strong smell of oil here. Why don't you go take a shower?"

I calmly sniffed, then smiled proudly, saying, "That's the smell of good food. Don't you like the smell of food?"

He chuckled as he lovingly ruffled my hair. Then he stuffed some food into my mouth and gave Ava a piece too. "All right, my sweethearts. Let's all eat!"

After dinner, I quickly put Ava to bed and then showered. I inched closer to Matthew and flirtatiously asked, "Do I still smell like oil?"

Matthew smiled and affectionately pinched me. "I've missed you so much, sweetheart!"

He pulled me toward the bed right away without giving me a chance to respond. Also, he seemed particularly enthusiastic today.

When we finished, I smiled and watched his tall figure approach the bathroom. As I was about to clean up, his phone on the bedside table flashed, indicating he had received a WhatsApp message. I glanced at it and froze.

Chapter 2 A Substantial Amount of Information

I was about to pick up the phone to see who the sender was when Matthew hurried into the room and took the phone. He glanced at it hastily, then looked back at me.

"It's Mel!"

"What's the matter? Are you afraid that I'll find something?" I looked at him suspiciously and felt uneasy as if something was wrong.

The message had only four words. "Did she find out?"

It was enough for me because it implied the other person feared I'd find out about something. The message also showed a hint of ambiguity, so I scrutinized Matthew. My gut feeling surged as my premonition grew heavier.

Matthew chuckled casually and threw the phone back on the bedside table. Then he pulled me into his arms and kissed my lips, saying, "You're overthinking! It's not about you, but my sister, Mel. She's using me as a cover to scam Mom for money."

Mel was Matthew's younger sister, Melanie Murphy. She had been weak and sickly since childhood, so her family always pampered and spoiled her. She also behaved like a rich brat.

Melanie was in her twenties but never took anything seriously. She didn't even go to school and only traveled, ate, and had fun.

"You're trying to scam your mother for money? Where do you think her money comes from?" I snapped.

Matthew smiled, bent down, and lifted me in his arms. Then he nibbled on my earlobe as he approached the bathroom. "Yeah, yeah, it's all your money. That's what happens when I marry an amazing and understanding woman like you."

I appreciated his words.

Throughout the years, I had never been stingy regarding his family because I believed a harmonious family led to success in all endeavors. I also believed in treating others with the same kindness I received. Our second round in the shower washed away my doubts and grievances. It made me happy and content as I lay in Matthew's arms.

That night, I brought up buying a house in a good school district again, which had become a pressing matter for me. We had lived in this small 500-square-foot apartment since we got married. The size didn't bother me, but I didn't want Ava to have a disadvantaged start.

She was about to start school, but the neighborhood had no good ones nearby. Although we had saved money for a new house over the years, Matthew always said there was no rush. He wanted to find the best location in the fast-developing city so we wouldn't need to keep moving.

This time, he didn't argue when I brought it up again. Instead, he patted my shoulder, kissed my forehead, and said, "Okay, I'll look for a suitable place for you to see, and then you can decide." His response pleased me, and I fell asleep sweetly, daydreaming about a beautiful big house.

Just after dropping Ava off at the kindergarten the following day, I received a call from my best friend, Irvanna, saying she wanted to meet at our usual spot.

Of course, I immediately responded and took a cab to the location.

Ivanna and I were close, just like sisters. We could talk about anything, but it was rare for her to call me. After all, she was a busy woman who worked as a talent manager in a media company. When I entered our favorite dessert shop, I saw her sitting in the corner, typing away on her laptop. The morning sun cast a peaceful glow on her, making her look even more beautiful. She waved at me as I approached, and I sat down before playfully asking, "Why are you so free today? You even had time to ask me out so early in the morning."

Ivanna rolled her eyes at me and replied, "Can't I be concerned about you?"

"Haha, sure you can!" I sat down and sipped the coffee she had ordered for me. "But aren't you always busy while I'm always free?"

"Ha! Aren't you ashamed of that? Now, all I see is Matthew spoiling you. Don't say I didn't warn you, but don't get too comfortable. It's easy to become a fool!" Ivanna said, looking at me intently.

For some reason, her words made my heart pound. I looked at her and casually asked, "What do you mean? There's more to your words, isn't there?"

She lowered her gaze, looking at the computer screen, seemingly trying to hide something. "Oh, nothing! I'm just teasing you a little."

After some thought, she looked at me and said, "I saw Matthew the day before yesterday."