The Secret of Second Marriage

After putting my daughter to a nap, I lay in bed tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

I checked my phone and saw that my husband had sent me a lot of WeChat messages, basically asking to get back together and forgiving me. He said he would handle my relationship with my mother and begged me to give him another chance; he didn't want a divorce.

I know it's because he's about to get a promotion.

As a Fortune 500 listed company, it conducts very strict investigations into the private lives of its employees.

I won't let him get away with it so easily.

Thinking of my 10-year marriage with him and my 6-year-old daughter, tears streamed down my face silently.

On this night, I finally made up my mind.

Anyone who betrays another will not have a good ending.

Although I dislike my sister-in-law, there is one thing she does better than me: she always protects her own interests and doesn't care about the opinions of the world or her in-laws.

I need to start learning from her too.

I got up very early the next morning.

Zhang Yan was dressed in a mink coat, looking very wealthy, and she usually carried a famous Hermes bag.

Her refrigerator is incredibly luxurious, filled with imported ingredients and seafood, as well as eggs, meat, and vegetables—everything you could want.

The nanny prepared breakfast.

Zhang Yan said affectionately, "Sister, don't worry, stay here with me. I don't know anyone here, and I don't have any friends. From now on, I'll consider you my best sister."

Her son is over 2 years old.

I chatted with Zhang Yan and learned that she used to be a flight attendant and that her husband is the owner of a large real estate company.

She met her husband on a plane.

Her husband was incredibly romantic when he was pursuing her. He sent her flowers, diamond rings, and gifts, and invited her to dinner at top-tier luxury Western restaurants. He always picked her up in a luxury car for their dates and was extremely generous.

She was moved.

But after getting married, quitting her job, and having a son, she found out that her husband was abusive.

Her husband is under a lot of pressure in his business, and he likes to hit people after drinking.

She often has bruises all over her body, and she wears long sleeves even in the summer so that others can see her wounds.

I glanced at the wounds on her body—new and old wounds—it was horrific.

I don't know how she managed to endure it.

I said, "You're still young, you have hands and feet, why don't you get a divorce?"

Zhang Yan suddenly lowered her head and smiled bitterly, saying, "The first time he hit me, I thought about divorce, but I couldn't bear to leave my son. Besides, I don't know what kind of job I could find if I went out... I'm supported by him, and I really don't have the courage to divorce him."

I felt a pang of sympathy for her.

After breakfast, I took my daughter to her math tutoring class.

In my spare time, I met with my lawyer, Attorney Xu.

She told me, "Ms. Jiang, in our line of work, I've seen quite a few mistresses. But this mistress is the most ridiculous to me."

I talked to her and asked her to return the money she spent on the RV and the shop. Guess what she said? She said she earned it all through her own hard work, so why should she pay it back?

That mistress has incredible mental fortitude. I'll just send her the court summons.

Not only did she show no remorse, she even brought her relatives to my law firm to cause trouble. She doesn't even seem to realize what I do for a living. She and her parents were detained for three days before they finally calmed down.

"Attorney Xu, I'm sorry to have troubled you."

I say.

Attorney Xu asked, "What's your husband's attitude? Does he support you both trying to get the money back?"

I said, "He was reluctant to get the money back. He said he would promise to break off his relationship with the mistress and asked me not to pursue the matter with her."

Men tell so many lies.

Attorney Xu said, "Ms. Jiang, as your lawyer, I still want to remind you that no matter what your husband's attitude is, get the money back first."

"That's what I think too."

I said, "After I deal with the mistress, I want to divorce this scumbag."

Attorney Xu seemed to appreciate my courage and decisiveness.

She laughed: "Sure! If you need a lawyer later, just contact me."

"it is good"

I say.

Attorney Xu retrieved all the bank statements, WeChat transfer records, and Alipay transfer records that my husband had transferred money to his mistress during this period of investigation, and even their hotel check-in records.

I watched as he transferred money to his mistress, one sum at a time, far more than I knew.

It's fair to say that he gave most of our family's cash assets to his mistress.

I was internally devastated, but I calmly prepared for the divorce.

I asked Attorney Xu for a list of my husband's hotel check-in records, which showed the exact time, who he checked in with, and which hotel, and even included surveillance footage.

Attorney Xu said, "My evidence list is very comprehensive. The case against the mistress will go to court next Monday. Please remember to attend as the plaintiff on the day of the hearing."

"Um"

I nodded.

This lawyer is more capable than I imagined, and is exceptionally conscientious and responsible.

She acted swiftly; seeing that the mistress was determined not to return the money, she directly filed a lawsuit to recover the marital property.

I felt a little more at ease when I left the law firm.

My phone suddenly received a call.

It was Shen Xing calling.

I hesitated for a moment, then answered the phone and asked, "What's up?"

Shen Xing said, "Sis, I went to your house today. You weren't home, and Niu Niu wasn't home either. What happened?"

I said, "Last night, Niu Niu and I ran away from home."

Shen Xing's voice was filled with heartache: "Have you found a place to stay yet? Why didn't you tell me last night? It's a rented apartment; you can bring Niu Niu to stay here, okay?"

"It's not very convenient."

I refused.

Shen Xing became anxious: "What's inconvenient? If you get a divorce, I'll marry you. We can live together from now on. I'll tutor Niu Niu, cook for the kids, and do housework. Why don't you come and try some? My cooking is pretty good."

I was really touched that he took me in when I was at my lowest point.

I said, "Thank you, but no need."

I made a big mistake before, which was to place all my happiness in my husband. Back then, I also believed the touching words my husband said.

He said he would love me forever.

He said he would spend every penny he earned in the future on me and my daughter.

But the result?

This time, I'm going to take control of my own destiny.

I don't want to rely on a man.

Shen Xing didn't press the issue; I simply made one request: "Could I meet you and Niu Niu? Would you like to have lunch with me?"

I glanced at the time and realized it was almost 11:30 a.m.

Niu Niu's tutoring class ends at 12 noon.

I said, "I have something to do, so I'll hang up now."

After I hung up the phone, I went to pick up Niu Niu so we could go to the fourth floor of the mall for a meal of grilled fish.

But to my surprise, Niu Niu and I ran into Shen Xing as soon as we arrived at the mall entrance.

I'm puzzled, how did I end up meeting him here?

Shen Xing saw me.

He walked straight towards me and said, "Sis, Uncle shouldn't have treated you like that. I've transferred money to you via WeChat. If you need any help, just let me know."

My eyes welled up with tears.

I have been married to my husband for 10 years. I worked hard and never complained. First, I earned money to support his postgraduate studies, and then I quit my job to become a housewife.

I loved him so deeply, but this is the result I got in the end.

I'm tired after these 10 years.

But... I feel so sorry for my daughter. I can no longer give her a complete family.

So no matter what, I will raise my daughter well.

Thinking of my daughter calmed down my anger for a moment.

I took a deep breath and told myself that I couldn't count on my husband after the divorce.

If I want my daughter to become a certain kind of person, I must first set an example for her.

In that instant, I understood many things.

I gave up a lot of unnecessary sentimentality, transforming from a woman who asked "why" and "by what right" into a woman who knows "what I should do" and "what I want."

I told myself that the gloom was only temporary, and that one day my life would be bright again.

I took my daughter to the grilled fish restaurant on the 4th floor of the mall.

Shen Xing was with us, pouring me drinks and carefully picking the bones out of the fish. He even left the plates in front of my daughter and me. He was gentle, attentive, and handsome.

I could sense his presence, like that of a celebrity.

Perhaps they don't like everyone's attention being focused on us.

I wasn't quite used to Shen Xing serving me food, so I said I'd do it myself.

"All right……"

There was a hint of disappointment in Shen Xing's tone.

We've already eaten.

Shen Xing insisted on paying the bill, but I refused.

I said, "Keep your money for your own life. This meal is on me."

"Sis, are you looking down on me just because I'm a student? But I have hands and feet, and I can earn money by tutoring. Besides, I'm an art student, and I can draw. I can earn enough to cover my living expenses by doing one game illustration job."

Shen Xing suddenly felt very sad.

His eyes reddened.

I can tell he genuinely cares about me.

Niu Niu said, "Mommy, my brother is crying."

I cried too.

But I have to be strong in front of women.

I wiped away my tears, picked up my daughter, and left.

Because I don't know how to deal with a boy's true feelings.

Shen Xing stood there, stunned.

He probably thought I went a bit too far.

But my marriage is a mess right now, and I really don't want to consider a second relationship.