On the day of our wedding, just after we got our marriage certificate, the company was exposed for tax fraud.
My fathers-in-law along with my mother-in-law dropped to their knees and pleaded with me. "Luke, Clara can’t go to prison! She’s a woman. If she gets a criminal record, her life will be ruined!"
"You two built this company together. Just say it was your decision. You’re a man, so even if you have a record, the Jameson Family won’t hold it against you. Please, save Clara!" they begged.
While gripping her hand with mine, Clara rebuked them, "Don't trouble Luke! He's all I have and I’ll respect whatever decision he makes!"
Tears welled in her eyes as she turned to me and made a vow, "If you’re willing to sacrifice for me, I swear I’ll never betray you for the rest of my life! If I ever break this promise, may I die a miserable death!"
With their coordinated pleas and her tearful oath, I took the fall and went to prison in Clara's place.
For ten years, I endured unimaginable torment behind bars.
The only thing that kept me going, the only reason I worked hard to "reform," was the thought of reuniting with Clara.
However, in the end, her so-called promise had long since been tossed away like garbage. Even if someone mentioned it was now considered a crime.
Back then, I had been willing to walk through fire for love. Now, I realized I was nothing more than a moth drawn to the flame, that would only be burned alive.
I forced down the bitterness in my throat and spoke. "Give them a sum of money and cut all ties. Otherwise, we divorce."
The moment I said it, the guilt-ridden, apologetic expressions on my in-laws' faces vanished. Their eyes turned cold.
"Absolutely not!" they yelled. "We finally have grandsons! What gives you, a disgraced ex-con, the right to kick them out?"
My eyes locked on Clara's
Ten years! I had held on to my obsession for ten years. So, I wanted to give her one last chance. Maybe even give me one.
It was obvious that she did not think how resolute I was because her face turned very gloomy.
Her brows furrowed tightly. "Luke, do you really have to do this? Today should’ve been the day we put the past behind us and started fresh, but you’re the one destroying our marriage!"
When Clara saw my expression did not change, she added, "You just got out of prison and did not think clearly, so I won’t take your blabbering so seriously. I'll give you time to adjust. However, Luke, there’s a limit to my patience.”
I almost laughed out loud.
Obviously, she was the one who had repeatedly cheated and yet she expected me to swallow my anger and pretend it never happened. She even acted as if she was being generous to me and giving me time to "adjust" to her betrayal.
What a joke.
I could not be bothered to argue with her anymore. I turned and walked out.
This place was no longer my home. There was no point in forcing myself to fit in.
Just as I stepped outside, a Rozental car pulled up in front of me. From the car, a familiar man stepped out of it.
It was Theo Callahan, the older brother figure that I met at the prison. He was an outspoken and straightforward person.
He had been released yesterday, just one day before me.
"Little bro! I figured you were getting out today, so I went to pick you up at the prison only to find you’d already left!"
"Then I thought, you must’ve gone to see your wife. Well, I have something to tell you. Actually, your wife is nothing like you described to me! She is not in love with you. While you were rotting in prison, she was busy having six kids with some other man! Even pigs don’t breed that fast!"
Theo had been betrayed by his wife before. So, he was seething and furious on my behalf. He wanted to find Clara and shred her to pieces.
He pulled out a thick folder of documents. He was so furious that it seemed smoke coming out of his ears, “Back in ancient times, for a woman like her, people would’ve stoned her to death."
I followed his gaze and looked at the papers. The document stated every detail vividly.
It said that Marvin Felton had accompanied Clara to prenatal checkups and childbirth appointments.
Ten years. Six children. The oldest was nearly ten years old and the youngest was just six months old.
Looking at the document, it was crystal clear that Clara had been cheating on me even before we got married.
The documents also contained records of seven life insurance policies worth millions of dollars seven luxury villas and countless wire transfers.
