Chapter 1

After being away for five years, I returned home to find numerous children's clothes and toys scattered around. My wife explained these were for our future children. But on the day of our postponed wedding, her childhood friend crashed the ceremony with two kids in tow. It turned out that the wife, who claimed to be faithful, had already married her childhood friend and had three children with him. When I confronted her, she showed no guilt.

"I may have had three kids with him, but my heart has always belonged to you."

Five years ago, just after obtaining our marriage certificate, I received a notice from the company to work overseas, delaying our wedding. I never imagined that today's wedding would bring such a shocking revelation. I immediately stepped off the stage, removed my suit, and handed it to her childhood friend, sarcastically wishing them well.

"We didn’t register, and you already have children. May you all live happily as a family of five."

As I turned to leave, Nora grabbed my wrist. Her eyes were red-rimmed. "Jude, is this really necessary?"

"You've been away at sea for so many years. If Ezra hadn't been there for me, I wouldn't have survived."

I gave her a dismissive look as she wiped her tears and continued.

"He's been alone these years, taking care of me. Having his kids was just to ensure he'd have company in the future, nothing more."

She looked at me with hopeful eyes, but I felt nothing but disgust.

"If you pity him so much, why not just be with him? Why come here to make me sick?"

I tried to shake her hand off, but Ezra suddenly knelt before me with the three kids.

"Jude, don't misunderstand! I didn't come to ruin your wedding. I'm just afraid that once Nora marries you, she'll abandon the kids."

The three children knelt obediently, their eyes red-rimmed.

"I just feel sorry for them, losing their mom at such a young age..."

He sobbed softly, looking at Nora with pleading eyes. Seeing this, Nora rushed over without hesitation, "Don't worry, Mommy won't leave you!"

She looked up at me, "Jude, these are my kids, and you also..."

"Ah! Ezra!"

Before I could react, Ezra was already lying unconscious on the ground. With a life at stake, I immediately called off the wedding and drove him to the hospital.

Watching Nora take care of Ezra so attentively by his hospital bed, I couldn't take it anymore. I asked my secretary to prepare the divorce papers right away.

"Jude, what did I do wrong? Why do you insist on divorcing me?"

The moment she received the papers, her eyes turned red.

"How can you ask what you did wrong when you're showing such care for another man right in front of me?"

"Just because of this? Have you forgotten the promise you made when I saved you?"

Oh, I remember, all right. Five years ago, after a late-night business dinner, I had a severe allergic reaction from accidentally eating peanuts. I ran under a tree, vomiting uncontrollably, and soon lost consciousness. When I woke up, I found myself in a hospital, with Nora sitting beside me, peeling an apple. Her long hair glistened in the warm sunlight. At that time, I was struggling in my career, desperately longing for love. So, after that, I pursued her passionately. On the day we registered, I promised to take care of her for life and give her the best life possible. Unfortunately, the day before the wedding, I received news about an overseas company project. It offered six million in compensation, and my boss chose me out of thousands. I wanted to refuse, but she insisted I accept it. Before leaving, I spent all my savings to buy her a villa in downtown and hired the best housekeeper to serve her. To maintain our relationship, I sent her countless luxury gifts over the past five years and often video-called her. But in the end, she still cheated on me.