Chapter 1

Our anniversary. Brandon, my husband, cleared his schedule. He was taking me on a trip. We were just about to board the plane when he suddenly got a call. His mom was sick.

"Babe, I'm so sorry. My mom's not feeling well, I need to go back and check on her. I can't go with you this time."

I felt a pang of disappointment, but his mom's health was more important. I agreed.

After he left, I tore up my ticket.

I was heading back to check on my mother-in-law, who’d been dead for three months. What new 'discomfort' was she experiencing now?

I followed his car all the way to our front door.

I didn't rush out. Instead, I pulled out my phone.

And there it was: The nanny’s daughter, flaunting on SnapChat.

[Your generous favoritism is the best 21st birthday gift!]

The picture showed her in a white chiffon dress, nestled in a man's arms.

That man? My 'dutiful' husband.

I flexed my wrists, then pushed open the front door. The instant I stepped into the foyer, I saw a dozen guys and girls were already crammed into the huge living room. Balloons strung across the walls.

A group started chanting:

"Kiss! Kiss!"

"Kiss! Kiss!"

…

I don’t know how many times they chanted it, but then Brandon wrapped his arm around Tiffany’s waist and laid a deep French kiss on her.

The crowd erupted.

When they finally broke apart, Brandon lingered, tracing Tiffany’s lips, only to look up and see me, somehow having squeezed to the front of the crowd.

His eyes went wide with terror. He instinctively tried to push Tiffany away.

But I was faster. I raised my hand and landed two sharp slaps across his face.

The sudden silence in the room was deafening.

Tiffany spun around, saw me, and shrieked, scrambling behind Brandon, clutching his arm.

I watched him, a cold smile playing on my lips. "When exactly did you get yourself a new mother?"

Brandon’s eyes darted frantically, desperate to explain, when a short-haired girl shoved me.

"Who are *you*? Barging into someone's house and hitting people? Are you insane? Apologize to Tiffany’s boyfriend, *now*!"

Her words opened the floodgates. Others chimed in:

"Hitting people randomly like that? What gives you the right? An apology is the least of it, she should be reported to the police."

"I agree. The police should check if she has a record. She can hit someone now, who knows what she'll do next?"

"How did a lunatic crash such a nice birthday party? And daring to hit people? Do you even know who you just hit?"

I gave a sweet smile to the people talking, then turned back to Brandon. "Do *you* also think I shouldn’t have hit you?"

Brandon licked his lips, about to speak, but Tiffany tugged his sleeve, shaking her head subtly.

I saw all their little maneuvers. I truly wanted to see what kind of game they were playing.

Brandon glared at me, his face contorted in anger. "Ashley, what drama are you pulling *now*? It's Tiffany's birthday. Whatever you have to say, say it later. Don't make a scene and ruin Tiffany's birthday. Just get out!"

He was clearly afraid his side chick would lose face in front of his friends.

I scoffed, my gaze cool and indifferent. "Brandon, where exactly do you want me to 'get out' to? Or are you just afraid someone might find out about your little dirty secrets?"

The next second, Tiffany began to quietly sob. "Sister Ashley, I know you've always had a crush on Brandon, and it upsets you to see him with me. But feelings have to be mutual, and Brandon loves me. We've been together for two years. He promised to marry me after I graduate. I beg you, please stop clinging to him."

Brandon hadn't expected Tiffany to say that. His face cycled through different emotions, stealing glances at me from the corner of his eye.

Tiffany's words stunned me.

Brandon and I had been married for only two years and one month. They'd been together for two years.

That meant he cheated on me just one month after we got married.

And he brought Tiffany and her mother into our house under the guise of hiring a nanny.

I’d been played for a fool for two whole years.

The short-haired girl spoke again. "Oh, I get it! You're the nanny from Tiffany's house who has a crush on her boyfriend! I can't believe how shameless you are, trying to steal someone's boyfriend in public!"

I was inexplicably labeled 'the nanny.' That really made me laugh.

"Tiffany, still living in a fantasy world? Who do you think you are, to have *me* as your nanny?"