I Made Him a Better Man for Another Woman

“I accept your offer. I’ll finalize my resignation in two days and join your company.”

As soon as I hung up, I took two deep breaths, forcing back the tears.

I glanced at the gift box in my hands and let out a bitter laugh. “Five years together, and this is what I get—betrayal.”

Tomorrow was supposed to be my fifth wedding anniversary with Heston Fitzhugh. This afternoon, we had plans to meet some mutual friends. While changing, a small box tumbled out of the wardrobe.

A while back, Heston’s assistant let it slip that he had spent a fortune on a custom-made gift from Paris. I’d been reminding him about our anniversary for weeks, convinced he was planning a special surprise.

But when I opened the box, I saw a diamond necklace with the engraving on the pendant—H&W.

The glimmering stones almost blinded me, and my heart clenched at the sight.

I didn’t have a large circle of friends, so it didn’t take long to figure out who W was.

Wendolene Tennyson.

Heston’s so-called cousin.

Her parents had died in a car accident, and my mother-in-law, feeling sorry for her, took her in. Wendolene had been living with us for three years now, working as Heston’s secretary.

I had always treated her like family. I never imagined that behind my back, she… she was sleeping with my husband!

——

“Still not ready?”

Heston pushed the door open. The moment his gaze landed on the box, his expression shifted slightly.

“Explain this.” My voice was cold as I tossed the necklace onto the bed.

“Wendy’s birthday is coming up. It’s a surprise gift for her,” he replied.

While he put the necklace back into the box with a practiced calm expression, a sharp laugh escaped me.

In five years of marriage, he had never put effort into getting me a gift—not for my birthday, not for our anniversaries. And yet, he stood there, right in front of me, saying this.

This was his way of telling me, loud and clear, that he had chosen Wendolene.

Ever since she moved in and started working as his secretary, he had been spending more and more time on business trips. He barely came home. Conversations between us had dwindled to almost nothing. He didn’t ask about my day, didn’t care how I was doing.

I had been so busy running his company that I ignored all the signs.

“Wendy lost her parents at a young age. Her mom told us to take good care of her. Yvonne, she treats you like a sister-in-law. Don’t be so petty.” He softened his tone, trying to pacify me when I didn’t respond.

“So what? Anyone who doesn’t know better would think you bought her a wedding gift,” I shot back, refusing to back down.

At that moment, he seemed to have quickly realized what I was angry about.

“Yvonne, the engraving is connected to the gift I got for you. It must’ve been a mistake before polishing. Do you really doubt me? Don’t you trust my love for you?”

His argument sounded reasonable—so reasonable, in fact, that he had the audacity to accuse me of being the one in the wrong for doubting him.

Then he scoffed. “You think I’m the kind of man who cheats? Wow, Yvonne, you really disappoint me.”

With that, he stormed out, confident that I wouldn’t push any further.

In the past, whenever he got angry, I was always the one to lower my head and make amends.

But not this time.

He left, but I didn’t cancel my plans with my friend Pepper Milburn. I changed into a different outfit.

As I headed out, I passed by Wendolene’s bedroom and slowed my steps.

I had always thought entering someone else’s room was rude, so I had never stepped inside hers. But this time, I wanted to see for myself.

I pushed the door open.

The once simple, sparsely furnished room had become cluttered over the years. On a shelf, I spotted several things that unmistakably belonged to Heston.

Near the bed, men’s shirts and ties were strewn across the floor.

He had told me he always sent his clothes to the dry cleaners.

When I opened the wardrobe, a familiar scent hit me—vanilla perfume.

It was the same scent I had often smelled on him. He used to say it must have come from female employees at the company, and like a fool, I had believed him.

Then my gaze landed on two things inside the wardrobe.

A red lingerie set.

And a pair of men’s underwear.

The scent lingering in the air made it clear what had happened here.

I stumbled back, accidentally kicking a trash bin.

Something tumbled out— Used ones.

Last night, Heston had called to say he was working late at the company. He told me he wouldn’t be coming home.

Yet this morning, he was sitting at the dining table, eating breakfast.

He said he had slept in the guest room so he wouldn’t disturb my sleep.

Technically, he wasn’t lying; he had slept in the guest room—but with a guest beside him.

My hands were steady as I took out my phone and snapped photos of everything.

I needed to have a talk with Wendolene.

Five years of marriage. My husband and his so-called distant cousin owed me an explanation.

Just as I reached for the handle, the door suddenly swung open.

Wendolene stepped in, greeting me so cheerfully.

“Hey, Yvonne, are you heading out?”

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Wendolene looked completely normal. “The company needs a document ASAP. I came back to get it.”

My gaze was locked onto the diamond necklace around her neck.

The gift Heston and I had just fought over—now hanging from her neck.

Wendolene raised a hand to touch the necklace. “Hey, you think this necklace is beautiful too, don’t you? My cousin gave it to me as a special birthday gift. I love it so much, I couldn’t wait to wear it.”

A mocking smile played on her lips. This cheap woman really had the guts to tell me outright that my husband had given it to her.

That made me let out a cold laugh. “Drop the act, darling. I know Heston cheated on me with you.”

Wendolene’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Yvonne, what are you talking about? My cousin and I only have sibling-like affection for each other!”

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her into her bedroom, then threw her lingerie in her face.

“Tell me, when did it start?”

Her cheerful smile faded. She bent down, picked up a pair of men’s underwear, and chuckled. “Oh dear, cousin was so wild last night, he even forgot to take this with him.”

That was it; I snapped. “I’ve always treated you well, Wendolene. Why… Why the hell did you seduce my husband?”

She giggled. “Girl, ever heard the saying? The one who isn’t loved is the real mistress.”

Her slender fingers caressed the large diamond on the necklace, her face full of satisfaction.

“The first month I moved into your place, your husband and I got together. Oh, you have no idea—he’s a beast! We’ve actually it in every corner of this villa behind your b—!”

The sound of my palm landing on her face resounded.

Before she could finish, I struck her across the face.

I was shaking with rage. “Gosh, Wendolene, do you have no shame?”

She touched her reddened cheek, then suddenly laughed.

“Shame? What’s so wrong about being with the man I love?”

A smirk of disdain appeared in her eyes. “Girl, you’ve been by his side for years. It’s time to step aside.”

I was still reeling from her words when she suddenly slapped herself twice, then used her nails to scratch faint red marks onto her neck. Crying, she ran out of the room.

“Yvonne, please don’t hit me! I know I was wrong!”

I instinctively followed her out.

Wendolene collapsed in the living room, clutching her face as she sobbed.

“Yvonne, I don’t have parents. You and my cousin are my only family. I won’t do it again—please don’t kick me out!”

I watched her performance as if I were watching a play.

Heston had left earlier. I was the only audience for her act.

“Are you done?”

Suddenly, the front door swung open.

Heston stepped inside, his face dark with anger. He rushed to Wendolene’s side, helping her up with concern.

“Yvonne! Why did you hit Wendy?” he demanded.

My husband—standing right in front of me—defending his mistress.

Ridiculous!

“The wife slapping the mistress—do I even need a reason?”

“Dude, my sister-in-law misunderstood your gift and wants to kick me out.”

Wendolene leaned weakly against Heston, her tears falling one by one.

“Oh my god, Wendolene,” I blurted out, “I never knew you were this good at acting!”

Heston’s eyes fell on the handprint on her cheek and the scratch marks on her neck. His anger flared.

He turned to me and roared, “Get out!”

I clenched my fists. “This is my place. If anyone’s leaving, it’s the two of you.”

“Get out, Yvonne! I won’t say it again!”

“Let her—”

Before I could finish, Heston slapped me hard across the face.

The burning pain on my cheek told me that everything happening was real.

“I’m the man of this villa. Leave!”

With a rough grip on my wrist, he shoved me out the door and slammed it shut.

I stood frozen at the doorstep, unable to process what had just happened.

Heston and I had once loved each other deeply. He had sworn to protect me for a lifetime.

Yet, after just two years of marriage, he had changed.

He had even hit me in front of his mistress.

When I met up with Pepper at a café, I still couldn’t accept what had happened. The pain sat heavy in my chest.

She was surprised I came alone. When she heard the full story, she let out a frustrated sigh.

“Damn, Yvonne, my husband cheated too. I don’t know whether to stay or leave.”

Our eyes met. Hers were red-rimmed as well.

I used to believe in love so much. But after this, I realized—I might have terrible judgment in people.

I had wasted too much time on Heston, only to receive no respect in return.

As Pepper and I talked about the future of our marriages, Heston and Wendolene walked into the café together.

I knew exactly why they had come—to rub it in my face.

They didn’t even have to say a word. Just standing there disgusted me.

Before I could react, thick smoke suddenly poured out from the kitchen.

The fire alarm blared through the café.

Within seconds, flames spread rapidly, and people screamed and ran in all directions.

I was shoved around by the panicked crowd, lost my balance, and fell.

I watched as Heston grabbed Wendolene’s wrist and ran—leaving me behind in the burning café.

Even in a life-or-death moment, my husband still chose to save his mistress.

The suffocating smoke choked me.

Soon, my vision blurred, and everything faded to black.

Chapter 3

When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I saw was a stark white ceiling, and the sharp scent of disinfectant filled my nose.

‘I’m still alive?’

I shifted slightly, and a sharp pain shot through my lower belly.

The last thing I remembered before passing out was Heston pulling Wendolene out of the raging fire, his back to me, completely indifferent.

Before I could figure out what had happened, the door to the hospital room swung open, and someone in a white coat walked in.

“Good to see you’re awake now, Ma’am.”

“What happened? Who brought me here?”

“You don’t remember?”

Seeing me struggle to sit up, the doctor reached out to help me.

Flashes of orange-red flames, scorching heat, and frantic screams filled my mind—I really had no idea what happened after that.

“There was an electrical short circuit at the café, which caused an explosion and started a fire. You passed out in the middle of it, but someone pulled you out.”

The doctor continued calmly, “When you were brought in, you were bleeding heavily. Despite emergency treatment, we couldn’t save the baby.”

“I-I-I was pregnant?”

I asked in disbelief, placing my hand on my lower belly.

‘A tiny life had just been lost here?’

“Yes, you were five weeks along,” the doctor confirmed, nodding. “I’m very sorry.”

I blinked and forced a weak smile.

“When can I be discharged?”

“Ma’am, you’re too weak right now. You need to stay at least two more days to recover.”

“Alright, thank you.”

“Even after you’re discharged, you need to avoid strenuous activities and take care of yourself.”

After giving me a few more careful instructions, the doctor left the room.

I reached for my phone on the bedside table and started typing a message.

“Yvonne! Are you okay?”

Just then, Heston rushed in, his face full of guilt and regret.

“Yvonne, I panicked at that moment… Wendy was right beside me, and I thought you’d follow us out.”

It was as if he had completely forgotten about the confrontation in that burning place. Now，he gripped my hand tightly like it was the most precious thing in the world.

I stared at him silently.

“I’m so sorry about the baby. I know you’ve wanted a child for years. But it’s okay, you’re still young—we can always have another one in the future.”

I pulled my hand away without hesitation and said quietly, “There is no future.”

After Wendolene moved in, Heston and I barely spent time together.

Thinking back, the only time it could’ve happened was when we stayed at a hotel after attending a colleague’s wedding.

My phone buzzed a few times—a reply.

“Yvonne, don’t blame my cousin. He was just too worried about me and forgot that you were still inside. If you want to blame someone, blame me.”

I looked up to see Wendolene standing behind Heston, her eyes red.

Her voice was soft and pitiful, but her eyes brimmed with mockery and false sympathy.

“I’m sorry, Yvonne.”

I hadn’t even had the chance to vent my anger when the door suddenly burst open, shattering the heavy silence in the room.

A sharp-dressed man with a briefcase strode in.

“Ma’am, I’ve brought the agreement you requested.”

I clenched my fists, suppressing the fury boiling inside me.

“Give it to him.”

“What agreement? Who is this man? Yvonne, what the hell are you doing?”

Heston’s furious voice filled the room, but the moment he saw the divorce papers in the lawyer’s hand, his eyes widened in shock.

“You want a divorce?!”

“As you can see,” I said, nodding. “Heston, this is my divorce lawyer. Atty. Lorcan Lichtman.”

Heston flipped through the document, his expression darkening.

“Why the hell should I leave with nothing? Why should you get everything?”

Wendolene spoke up weakly, “Yvonne, please don’t divorce my cousin in anger! I’ll leave. I won’t interfere with you two anymore.”

I let out a cold laugh and gave my lawyer a look.

He immediately walked over and slapped Wendolene across the face.

“For cheating.”

Heston was about to explode, but before he could say a word, my lawyer smacked him across the face too.

“You disgusting man! Sign the papers and get the hell out!”

Heston roared at me, “Dammit, Yvonne! You’re forcing me to sign this? I’m telling you now, there’s no way in hell I’m handing over my assets to you!”

I lowered my gaze and said coldly, “Oh? Then let’s see who lasts longer. Now get out! Don’t ever come near me again! I swear, if you do, I’ll make sure you regret it!”

With security forcing him to sign, Heston had no choice but to put his name on the papers. Defeated, he left with Wendolene in tow.

I placed a hand on my belly, my touch light but firm.

‘Just wait. I’ll make them pay!’