Meeting My Husband's Mistress
"He let her call him “Daddy” in public—while I stood there, his wife, invisible."
Gretchen Ingram gave up everything for her marriage to Desmond McMahon: her pride, her future, even her name. But when she caught him playing house with another woman and her child—right in the hospital where Gretchen works—it all became too much. The man she once loved now held another woman’s son in his arms, while calling her “too nitpicky” for asking why.
But Gretchen’s done being quiet.
She’s not just walking away—she’s taking her power, her name, and her future with her.
He never thought she’d leave.
And he definitely never thought she’d become the woman who’d make him beg.
But by the time he regrets it… she’ll be long gone.
Chapter 1 An Affair
Gretchen Ingram's husband, Desmond McMahon, didn't let her go to work today, saying he wanted her to rest.
She agreed, but then she got an urgent call from the hospital director and had to go.
When she got there, she saw Desmond holding hands with his old crush, Rebekah Vasquez, and carrying a little boy.
They looked like a happy family.
When Desmond saw Gretchen, he frowned a little and let go of Rebekah's hand.
"Dr. Ingram?" Rebekah walked up to Gretchen.
Desmond's brow furrowed as he fixed his gaze on Gretchen, like he was worried she might say something about their relationship.
When they first got married, they didn't tell anyone so it wouldn't mess up Desmond's job.
His coldness hurt Gretchen, but she held back her emotions and greeted them. "Dr. Vasquez, Mr. McMahon."
Not long ago, Desmond bought some shares in Howchester Central Hospital and became a shareholder.
However, Gretchen knew that he did it for Rebekah, not for her.
After Rebekah came back to the country, Desmond got her a job at the hospital and made her the head of the surgery department.
Everyone at the hospital knew that Rebekah had Desmond's support. And with all the gossip going around lately that he was her boyfriend, he never said a word to clear things up.
Rebekah casually took Desmond's arm. "Dr. Ingram, you're being too nice. You've been in the hospital longer than me. I'm still new here, and I've got a lot to learn from you."
Before Gretchen could get a word in, the little boy, Erik Vasquez, hugged Desmond. "Daddy, I'm tired. Can you carry me?"
Gretchen's face turned pale.
Rebekah's son just called Desmond "Daddy"?
Rebekah put on a fake angry face. "Erik, you can't call Desmond like that." Then she looked at Desmond with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Desmond. Erik doesn't know what he's doing."
Desmond glanced at Gretchen, but he didn't look mad or anything. He gently picked up Erik. "It's fine."
"But didn't you say he's my daddy?"
Erik held onto Desmond's neck and acted all cute. "Daddy, I love you the most."
"You naughty boy," Rebekah said, ruffling his hair.
Gretchen clenched her fists. They really looked like a family.
Desmond didn't want her around today probably because he was worried she'd wreck their family time.
She pushed down the hopelessness she felt, walked past the three of them, and got into the elevator.
She should've given up long ago and called it quits on this crummy marriage.
***
The next day, Gretchen put in a transfer request at the hospital. She didn't tell anyone, especially not Desmond.
He wouldn't care to know anyway.
She drove over to the McMahon's manor. She wanted to have a talk with Desmond's grandma, Carlene McMahon, and make things clear.
Gretchen stood at the door and rang the doorbell.
In a bit, the housekeeper, Helene Drake, came out and opened the door. "Mrs. McMahon, you're back."
"Is Carlene home?"
"Yeah. Come on in." Helene held Gretchen in high regard.
Carlene was the family matriarch. After Desmond's grandpa died, she had been running the show for the family, handling all sorts of stuff.
She was from the south, and her family back there was a big deal in business. When she was younger, she was strong and decisive, a total business boss. Even Gretchen's mother-in-law, who didn't like her, never dared to show it—at least not when Carlene was around.
Helene took Gretchen to a quiet room where Carlene was sitting on a cushion, playing with her prayer beads.
"Madam McMahon, Mrs. McMahon is here."
Carlene slowly opened her eyes and turned her head. "Come and sit here."
Once Helene left, Gretchen knelt next to Carlene, folded her hands, and offered a heartfelt prayer before the cross.
Carlene was drawn to mindfulness and tradition, often lighting candles or spending quiet time at spiritual retreats or local chapels.
"Carlene, I'm gonna get a divorce from Desmond."
Chapter 2 Divorce
Stunned, Carlene looked into Gretchen's eyes. "When you made the deal with me, you didn't say it like this. What's up? Do you regret it?"
Yeah, Gretchen had regretted it.
She looked down, holding back the tears in her eyes. "Sorry to let you down."
Carlene closed her eyes and sighed, "Forget it. If you want a divorce, go ahead. I gave you a chance. Since you couldn't make Desmond fall for you, we don't owe you anything."
Gretchen felt a pang of heaviness in her chest and gave a strained, hollow laugh. "Thanks."
***
Back at Hillridge Apartments, Gretchen ran into Rebekah and her son, along with Desmond, right downstairs.
They had just gotten back in Desmond's car.
Gretchen stood there, dazed for a moment.
Rebekah looked at her in surprise. "Dr. Ingram? You live here too?"
Gretchen automatically glanced over at Desmond.
But he didn't even bat an eye.
The calmer he was, the more it hurt her inside.
Hillridge Apartments was an affluent neighborhood near the central Howchester. It was one of the McMahon Group's properties. Desmond said this house was like a make-up gift for Gretchen.
She took it because it was close to the hospital.
But she didn't expect that Desmond would also put Rebekah and her son here.
He was in such a rush!
"Sure is a coincidence," Gretchen said, trying to keep her feelings in check and about to leave when Rebekah piped up, "Dr. Ingram, I heard you got hitched. Why haven't I seen your husband around?"
She stopped in her tracks.
Husband?
Her eyes flicked over to Desmond.
A bit of gloom crossed his face.
Gretchen sneered inwardly, "Is he that scared of Rebekah finding out about our thing?"
She replied in a flat tone, "I don't have a husband."
Desmond's usually calm eyes flashed with something unreadable.
"What? I thought you were married." Rebekah still had that smile on her face.
Gretchen had written "married" on her hospital resume.
But nobody had ever met her husband.
She gave a bitter smile. "I put that down for fun. I don't have a husband."
Desmond's eyes turned sharp and narrow when he heard that.
Since Gretchen had quit and was leaving, she didn't feel like pretending about her marriage status anymore.
Without looking back at the people behind her, she walked straight into the apartment building.
Night fell.
Gretchen gathered up all her stuff and packed it into two big suitcases, which she put in the closet.
Her eyes landed on the wedding photo. In it, she was in her wedding dress, hanging on to Desmond, all smiles, while he had got that cold, unsmiling look on his face.
Back then, she thought he didn't like to smile.
Even though it was the only photo they had together, she treated it like a treasure.
But now, it seemed like a big joke.
It wasn't that he didn't like to smile.
It was just that she wasn't important enough to make him smile.
Gretchen picked up the photo, took one last look, and threw it into a box with all the other things she was leaving behind in the closet.
When she came out of the bedroom, she heard some noise from the living room.
She knew Desmond was back.
She walked out and saw him hanging his coat on the rack in the hallway and changing his shoes.
Gretchen took a deep breath and walked up to Desmond. "Aren't you gonna say something about what happened today?"
She wanted to know why he had also placed Rebekah and her son in Hillridge Apartments.
Desmond pulled off his tie, his eyes holding a hint of coldness. "Why all the fuss?
"This place is close to the hospital. You can live there, but they can't?"
He draped the tie over his elbow and looked at Gretchen. "You've got what you wanted. Don't be so nitpicky."
Gretchen felt her heart sink at his words.
Was she being nitpicky?
In his eyes, she was already his wife, yet she still wanted to go head-to-head with Rebekah and her son, that was being nitpicky.
Desmond was about to go back to the room when Gretchen called out to him, "Let's talk."
He stopped, turned around with a bit of a grumpy look, and gave her a cold stare. "What now?"
"Let's get divorced."
Gretchen slowly took off her wedding ring and held it tight in her hand. "You're free to go."
Chapter 3 Surgery
Desmond didn't seem to see that divorce coming. His face got gloomier. "I'm not gonna get a divorce."
Gretchen was taken aback.
Why? Was it because...
He continued, "Grandma won't agree either."
Right after that, the door shut.
Gretchen stood there for a long time, feeling like she couldn't catch her breath. Her earlier thoughts seemed pretty silly now.
Did Desmond hold back on the divorce for her sake?
No, he was scared Carlene wouldn't be okay with it.
But he had no idea that she had given the nod.
The couple had a rough night and slept in separate rooms. The next morning, when the housekeeper came to work, Desmond was nowhere to be seen.
Gretchen sat there eating breakfast like nothing had happened. The housekeeper came out after cleaning the room and asked, "Mrs. McMahon, where did all that stuff in the house go?"
Gretchen paused.
Even the housekeeper could tell that things were missing.
But Desmond never even asked.
It was obvious he didn't care.
Gretchen managed a smile. "It was old, so I threw it out. It was all junk."
The housekeeper didn't ask anything else.
At noon, Gretchen got a call from the hospital director. He said there was a big surgery needed. The patient was in bad shape, but the doctor who was good at brain surgery was away. She was the only one who could do it.
She rushed to the hospital, changed into her scrubs, and went into the operating room. All the main doctors were there, including Rebekah.
The whole emergency room was full of a strong smell of blood.
Unlike the other doctors who went to check the patient's wounds, Rebekah didn't even dare to get close. She was holding back her nausea and trying not to throw up.
"Dr. Ingram, here you are." The anesthesiologist walked up to Gretchen. "The patient fell from a construction site and was just brought here. He's out cold now."
Seeing how bad the patient looked, Gretchen couldn't help but gasp.
A rebar, about twenty centimeters long, had gone through the patient's head and out his eye. He was unconscious but still had signs of life, which was like a miracle!
Rebekah, fighting back her nausea, asked, "Dr. Ingram, are you sure you can do this surgery? One little mistake and the patient could die."
"If I can't do it, can you?"
Gretchen's words made Rebekah's face fall a bit.
She put on her gloves and told the other doctors, "First, we need to open up the skull to relieve the pressure and get rid of as many blood clots as we can."
The anesthesiologist and the other helpers were all ready to go.
Rebekah bit her lip. "Should I stay and help?"
"Everybody not needed, get out." Gretchen had seen how Rebekah was acting and knew she wouldn't be any help if she stayed.
"But..."
"Dr. Vasquez, the patient is in critical condition. You'd better go out and calm his family down."
None of the top surgeons at Howchester Central Hospital wanted to take on this surgery. One little slip and their whole career could go down the drain.
They had all seen how Rebekah had been acting since she came in.
If it weren't for her connections, they would have chewed her out.
Rebekah clenched her fists and had to leave the operating room.
***
After making sure the brainstem wasn't hurt and there were no obvious blood vessel issues in the brain, Gretchen and her team spent five hours getting that rebar out and then did a skull base reconstruction surgery.
The surgery went on until evening. When the patient's vital signs were steady, everyone let out a big sigh of relief.
The other doctors rushed to tell his family.
Gretchen went straight to the director's office.
When the director, Nigel Klein, heard the surgery was a success, he was thrilled. "Grety, you pulled this one off!"
"It's not just me. The whole team worked together, and the patient was lucky. The rebar went through his brain but didn't hit anything important. If it had, even a miracle worker couldn't have saved him."
Nigel nodded and tried to talk her into changing her mind. "Are you sure you won't stay?"
He knew full well what Gretchen was capable of. She was the youngest lead surgeon, and on top of that, a woman—which was pretty rare in the medical field.
Tharnham was just a small third-tier city, and the benefits there couldn't hold a candle to those in Howchester. It was really a pity that Gretchen gave up such good perks to move to Tharnham General Hospital.
Gretchen shook her head and smiled, "I've made my decision. But don't worry, if you need my help in the future and I'm free, I'll definitely come."
Hearing this, Nigel didn't push any further.
After leaving the director's office, Gretchen saw Desmond walking towards her with long strides.
She stopped and was about to speak.
Desmond walked past her and said, "Dr. Ingram, I need to talk to you."
They walked to the balcony. Gretchen looked worn out after the surgery. "What do you..."
"Why did you pick on Rebekah in the operating room?"
Chapter 4 An Extra
Gretchen went rigid and stared at Desmond, her eyes wide with disbelief. "What do you mean?"
So Desmond was here because of Rebekah?
"She's your boss. No matter what, you shouldn't have made her look bad in front of everyone." Desmond talked to Gretchen like she was another coworker, not his wife at all.
Gretchen held back the pain in her chest and laughed. "You didn't forget that I'm the one doing the surgery, right? Don't I have the right to do that?"
"Did you forget," Desmond said with a smirk, "that I can replace the surgeon if I want to?"
Gretchen felt like her heart got hit hard with something heavy and it was trembling like crazy.
Anyway, she had put in her transfer request.
It didn't matter to her anymore if Desmond changed the surgeon or not.
"Don't ever again..."
She cut him off, "Mr. McMahon, go ahead if that's what you want."
Desmond's smile froze. He turned serious as he stared at Gretchen.
In the past, she only called him Mr. McMahon when other people were around.
But behind closed doors, she never called him that.
And she certainly didn't keep him at arm's length.
"What did you just call me?"
"Mr. McMahon, like always." Gretchen calmly threw it back at Desmond. "Isn't that what you wanted me to call you?"
Desmond's eyebrows scrunched together.
Just as he was about to say something, a nurse burst out, "Dr. Ingram, the patient's mom is causing a scene with Dr. Vasquez for some reason!"
Before Gretchen could react, the man beside her barely paused, leaving her with his retreating back.
Seeing how anxious he got when he heard something was up with Rebekah, Gretchen couldn't help but smile bitterly.
He had never been that worried about her.
The patient's mom was arguing with Rebekah outside the ward, for reasons unknown.
When Gretchen got there, she heard Rebekah's cry.
Pushing through the crowd, she saw Desmond shielding Rebekah. He had stopped the patient's mom from hitting Rebekah, who was now cowering in his arms, looking scared and pitiful.
Intimidated by Desmond's presence, the patient's mom stammered, "Who...who are you?"
Desmond pushed her away, saying, "Why resort to violence when you can talk things through?"
"Ask her!" The patient's mom pointed at Rebekah and said angrily, "My son just got out of surgery, barely hanging on. She came in as a doctor to check on him and said his wound was gross. If she can't take it, what kind of doctor is she?!"
"It's not like that." Rebekah shook her head, her eyes all red as she looked at Desmond. "Desmond, I ate something bad this morning and felt sick because my stomach was upset. It had nothing to do with the patient."
Desmond nodded. "I'll handle it."
He turned to the patient's mom. "She wasn't feeling good. It wasn't on purpose. I'll cover your son's hospital bills, okay?"
When the patient's mom heard that, she felt bad about making a big deal out of it. The whole thing was dropped.
"What rotten luck!" She went back to the ward.
"I'm sorry, Desmond, for causing you trouble," Rebekah said, looking worried. "You didn't have to help me. What if you got hurt?"
Desmond smiled, "As long as you're okay, that's all that matters."
"Dr. Vasquez, Mr. McMahon is your boyfriend, right?"
Rebekah looked down, blushing and smiling, "No, don't say that."
"Come on, you two are such a perfect match!"
The others chimed in, teasing and agreeing.
Desmond's gaze swept over the crowd.
When Gretchen locked eyes with him, she was overwhelmed with a bitter feeling.
How well her husband matched with another girl!
She felt like an extra here.
Chapter 5 Accident
Desmond's expression darkened. As he loosened his hold on Rebekah, Rebekah grabbed his arm. "Desmond, I'm still not well. Would you go pick up the prescription with me?"
Desmond frowned and returned his gaze to Rebekah as Gretchen disappeared from his sight. He said OK indifferently.
Desmond followed Rebekah to the hospital pharmacy. Rebekah looked over her shoulder and approached the distracted man with a smile. "Desmond, Erik wants to go to a private kindergarten. But he's not qualified. Would you be his adoptive father..."
Fearing of Desmond's rejection, Rebekah added, "Don't worry. It's only temporary. Nobody will know."
Desmond stared at her.
Rebekah clenched her hands secretly to meet his gaze. "Desmond, does it...offend you?"
"It's inappropriate." Desmond kept a blank face. "I can ask Mom to adopt Erik."
Rebekah didn't know how to respond.
If Erick became the adoptive son of the McMahon family...
He'd be Desmond's brother!
In this case, what did make Rebekah?!
Desmond's dark gaze fixed on Rebekah. "Problem?"
Rebekah was scared of revealing her ambition, so she said, "No... I'll let you handle it."
Desmond merely said OK.
Rebekah tightened her fists in frustration.
But she told herself this couldn't be rushed.
As long as Erik joined the McMahon family and won the hearts of the seniors, she could get what she wanted.
***
Desmond didn't come home that night.
Gretchen used to wait up for him. But not anymore.
Because she didn't care whether he came home or not anymore.
On her way to the hospital, Gretchen bumped into Rebekah and Erik in front of her building.
She planned to walk past them. But Rebekah called out, "Dr. Ingram."
Gretchen stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Can I help you?"
"Dr. Ingram, do you...hate me?" Rebekah looked at her.
"Ms. Vasquez, you're overthinking."
Gretchen didn't hate her, but she didn't have to like her.
She barely knew Rebekah.
Rebekah walked up to Gretchen, Erik's hand in her hand. "That's a relief. You're going to the hospital, right? I'm going there too after dropping Erik off.
"I'll ask Desmond to give you a ride."
Gretchen's expression turned gloomy slightly.
So, Desmond didn't come home because he stayed with Rebekah.
They were still married.
Yet, he couldn't wait to sleep with another woman.
Gretchen said darkly, "Not necessary. I have a car."
Rebekah grabbed her. "Don't be shy. We're colleagues after all. Desmond is coming down."
Gretchen suppressed her anger, keeping a poker face.
She started to suspect that Rebekah was doing this on purpose. She might be aware of Gretchen's relationship with Desmond and was flaunting.
Gretchen wrenched her hand out of Rebekah's grip. "I said no."
Rebekah fell to the ground, surprising everyone.
Erik pushed Gretchen hard as he believed she pushed Rebekah to the ground. "You bad woman! How dare you hurt Mom?!"
Gretchen's phone dropped to the ground.
Fuming, Erik stomped on it several times.
"Where's your manners?!" Gretchen pulled Erik away and he immediately slumped down on the group, wailing.
It was the scene Desmond arrived at. He pulled over and got out of his car to stride over. "Gretchen!"
He shouted, not caring that Rebekah might learn about his relationship with Gretchen.
"Dad! This bad woman pushed me!"
Erik bawled.
Rebekah turned around and looked Erik up and down for injuries, her expression dark. "Dr. Ingram, if you hate me so much, come after me. Don't hurt my kid!"
Gretchen took a deep breath and gritted her teeth. "He stomped on my phone and broke it. Ms. Vasquez, you forgot to mention that."
Rebekah averted her gaze. "Erik... It was an accident!"
"One stomp is an accident. But he stepped on it repeatedly!"
"Gretchen."
Desmond's eyes were blazing with anger.
Chapter 6 Apologize
"You're a grown-up. Give the kid a break!"
Gretchen froze. She knew Desmond wouldn't believe her. But his obvious preference still hurt.
She blinked to hide the prickles of her eyes. "I didn't push him!"
Desmond sneered, "Are you saying that this child frames you?"
His words hit Gretchen hard.
She thought, "I know he won't believe me. I shouldn't bother explaining..."
Gretchen lowered her eyes and suppressed her feelings. "I see. It's not my lucky day. I'll go, OK?"
She turned and began walking away.
"Stop."
Gretchen stopped but didn't turn around.
"Erik is a kid. You ought to be forgiving." Desmond's tone softened. "At least say sorry."
"Desmond, it's alright. Let it go..." Rebekah defended Gretchen.
Desmond's eyes were cold. "She did wrong, so she has to apologize."
Gretchen clenched her hands, fingernails digging into her palms. But she was numb to the pain.
She turned around slowly and locked eyes with Desmond, hand pointing at the camera on the streetlight. "Hillridge Apartments has security cameras everywhere. Check it before you play the hero."
"Watch the video. If it's my fault, I'll apologize. But if not, you can't force me to do anything!"
Gretchen left without looking back.
Desmond's chest tightened and his expression darkened.
Rebekah was panicking over the news of the cameras. Worried that Desmond would go ask for the video, she grabbed Desmond's arm. "Forget it, Desmond. Erik isn't injured. Anyway, I believe Dr. Ingram didn't mean it."
Rebekah knew she couldn't let Desmond watch the video, so she quickly changed the subject. "Desmond, Erik is running late. Let's go."
Desmond took his arm back. "I talked to the director. Bring Erik to the kindergarten. The director will get you settled. I have a meeting."
He returned to his car directly.
Watching Desmond's car speed off, Rebekah clenched her hands, not remembering she was holding hands with Erik.
"Mom. It hurts."
Erik winced in pain.
Rebekah was snapped out of her thoughts and crouched down slowly. Gripping Erik's shoulders with both hands, she said, "Erik, you did great. Good job." Her gaze was dark with a hint of smugness.
"Really?" Erik blinked.
He didn't know what he'd done.
All he knew was it made Rebekah happy. As long as he got praise from Rebekah, it was the right thing to do.
Smiling, Rebekah caressed his cheek. "Erik, you want Desmond to be your dad, right?"
Erik nodded excitedly.
Rebekah's smile became more dangerous. "So, you have to stay on his good side. Make him like you more and more. Get it?"
Erik nodded. "Yes!"
***
Once Desmond arrived at the office, Selma Boone, his assistant, came over. "Mr. McMahon, Madam McMahon is waiting for you in your office."
Desmond simply said OK and walked into his office.
Carlene was sitting on the couch and drinking tea gracefully. She looked at Desmond. "I heard you get a job for Rebekah in Gretchen's hospital?"
Desmond loosened his tie and sat down across from her. "Did Gretchen complain to you?"
Carlene slammed her cup down and scowled, "Desmond, don't doubt your wife so easily! Does Gretchen look like a telltale to you?"
Desmond scoffed, "She's not?
"I never forget how she became Mrs. McMahon and how you forced me to marry her."
Carlene's expression turned gloomy. She sneered, "If Gretchen came to me, Rebekah wouldn't even have the chance to return to the country."
Desmond paused and looked into Carlene's eyes. "Leave Rebekah alone."
Carlene chuckled angrily. "I gave her 1.5 million dollars and asked her to leave her. She accepted it. Why do you like a greedy gold digger like her?!"
"She wouldn't leave if you didn't intervene."
"You..." Carlene stopped and chuckled as if she had remembered something. She got up slowly and said, "Desmond, my boy, you've made a wrong choice. You're going to regret it. I'll stay out of you and Gretchen's problem. Divorce her. It's up to you."
Carlene left.
Desmond gritted his teeth, his expression thunderous.
Regret?
Why would he regret leaving Gretchen?
Gretchen had the lavish life she longed for. Would she leave him?
No, she couldn't live without him.
Chapter 7 Parents
Back in the hospital, Gretchen checked on the patient. Once the patient's mother learned that Gretchen was the surgeon, she tried to get on her knees to thank Gretchen.
Gretchen and the nurse immediately stopped her. "What are you doing? It's our job to save patients' lives."
"Without you, my son would die. You gave him a chance to live. I couldn't thank you enough." Tears ran down the old woman's face. Most were happy tears.
Medical staff had seen too many deaths and new lives. It was an honor to defeat Death every time.
The patient was out of danger without sequela, which was the silver lining in this case.
Gretchen held the old woman's arm and comforted her. She left with nurses after leaving some doctor's orders.
When she returned to her office, she received a call from Maximo.
Gretchen picked up after a long contemplation.
"Grety, would you come home with Desmond soon?"
Gretchen had a feeling of what this was about, her expression darkened. "Just say it on the phone."
"Do you hear yourself? I just want to see you two. Come home this afternoon."
Maximo hung up before Gretchen could reply.
***
Desmond was in a meeting when he received Rebekah's text. "Desmond, Erik has arrived at school. Thank you so much. He couldn't study here without your help."
Desmond glanced at it and typed. "Don't mention it."
He clicked into his WhatsApp. Suddenly, his gaze focused on his dialogue with Gretchen.
At that moment, he finally realized that the last time she texted him was the 8th of last month.
Gretchen was asking whether he would come over on the weekend.
He never replied.
Their exchange stopped there.
What a nice act of playing hard to get.
In the afternoon.
Gretchen stood outside of the Ingram's house, debating whether she should go in or not. Finally, she walked into the house. Imelda saw her and greeted her with a smile. "Welcome home, Grety."
Imelda looked behind Gretchen.
She seemed upset.
Gretchen noticed but she merely said, "Stop looking. There's only me."
Imelda's smile froze for a second.
Maximo came upstairs. He looked upset when he didn't see Desmond. "I asked you to come back with Desmond."
"He's busy."
"Busy?! He's your husband! All couples fight. But they'll eventually make up. You can't even convince him to come home with you?! How useless!"
Gretchen was hurt.
No one had understood her.
Not even her own family.
Without asking for her reason, Maximo assumed it was her problem and started scolding her. For six years, he was always like this.
When she married Desmond, her parents were over the moon. They didn't ask about the wedding details. Neither did they say anything about money or gifts Desmond she'd got from this marriage.
The Ingram family wasn't as rich as the McMahon family, but it did fine. Gretchen thought she had two open-minded parents who only wanted her to be happy.
But once she got married, they started demanding she ask Desmond for money. At first, it was for Salvador, her brother. He needed money for a new mansion and a new car. Then, Maximo's business failed. Desmond filled the gap for him.
To Imelda and Maximo, Salvador was more important.
Gretchen was only a cash cow with a rich husband.
"Sorry to disappoint." Gretchen collected her thoughts and said calmly, "I'm divorcing Desmond."
Maximo's expression turned murderous. Then, he slapped Gretchen hard on the face.
Next Chapter
