Chapter 4

Julian and I had been married for years, and having a child was a sore spot for both of us. We had seen doctors, but every single one told us the same thing: Julian had a low sperm count. Becoming parents would be a long and challenging journey.

That’s why, for years, I’d been going through IVF, trying to fulfill Julian’s dream of becoming a father.

Now, I watched Brianna’s post: “Mainstream Hubby said if I get pregnant, he’s buying me a villa as a reward! Fam, what do you think? Should I go for cash or real estate?”

Brianna’s TikTok was filled with their daily displays of affection, clearly documenting the staggering amount of money Julian had spent on her – an astronomical sum, beyond anything I could have imagined. Even the Yuanhe Vineyard project had been Julian’s unilateral decision, against the unanimous disagreement of the other shareholders.

When I had gathered all this, preparing to confront Julian, I received a call from the hospital.

It turned out Julian had alcohol poisoning. Marcus, a senior from my university whom I’d known, had seen him and instinctively thought of me, asking with an awkward tone,

“Are you and Julian on the outs?”

Marcus tactfully told me.

“A girl was here, crying and begging us to save Julian. I just assumed…”

I smiled and asked Marcus if he could do me a favor. Soon after, I saw Brianna’s TikTok update.

Julian, pale and hooked up to an IV, and Brianna, her eyes red from crying.

“Mainstream Hubby drank so much for me! He knew he was allergic to alcohol but he still did it! Mainstream Hubby loves him so much!”

In the video.

Julian’s hand was clearly visible, but only one. If not for those hands that held me to sleep every night, if not for our bond since childhood, if not for all that, how could I have ever believed Julian would deceive me?

I reacted to Brianna’s post with a thumbs up and commented.

**[What a coincidence.]**

**[Mainstream Hubby’s wedding ring looks exactly like mine.]**

I posted a picture: **[My husband personally designed and ordered my wedding ring. I never thought my husband and Mainstream Hubby’s husband would have such similar taste.]**

The comments quickly erupted.

My comment was rapidly pushed to the top. Julian’s phone rang instantly. His voice was weak, but he explained to me,

“Audrey, I’m working late at the office. I might not make it back. Don’t wait up for me, just go to sleep and don’t worry.”

Julian was still covering it up, still using the guise of caring for me, hoping I’d continue living in his deception. I listened to his voice, watching the comment section explode. Many people, following my TikTok and Brianna’s timeline, had uncovered too many parallels, including the Porsche I had deliberately photographed.

The comment section was buzzing with discussions about whether it was two women sharing one husband, or if one of them had to be the mistress.

I feigned shock.

**[No way.]**

**[My husband and I have been married for seven or eight years. How could I be the mistress?]**

I pretended innocence, then responded into the phone: “Honey, someone’s calling me a mistress. What should I do?”

On the phone.

Julian was silent for a long time. He looked at Brianna, who was fiercely battling the comments in the hospital room, then soothed me.

“Who said that about you?”

“Hubby will find them first thing, as soon as he’s done.”

“No need, Honey,” my voice was tinged with a smile. Julian’s face was blank as I pushed open the hospital room door. “Since someone’s calling me a mistress, I should clarify, shouldn’t I, Honey?”

I held up my live-streaming camera, pointing it at Julian and Brianna in the hospital room. “This is my husband, everyone!”

I feigned surprise, looking at Brianna.

“What are you doing here!”

I played the innocent victim, tears welling up immediately. “You’re that blogger who argued with me!”

As if finally recognizing her, I pulled out the picture Brianna had taken of Julian’s hand, comparing it to the very much alive Julian in the hospital bed.