Chapter 4

In the evening, I scrolled through my sister-in-law's social media.

There was a series of edited photos where she was snuggled up in my husband's arms, both of them laughing sweetly. If you didn't know they were siblings, anyone would think they were a couple.

Jacob held me and tried to explain, "Honey, you know my father passed away early. Mia and I grew up without a father, maybe she feels a special affection towards me because she lacked that kind of care? But really, there's nothing going on."

Reflecting on her unusual behavior these past few days, this was the only explanation that made sense.

"Think about it, we haven't seen each other for a year. She just missed me a lot."

"I'll go check on Mia."

Seeing I was not as angry, Jacob went straight to his sister's room.

I realized my comment during the day might have been inappropriate; perhaps her character was shaped by the lack of paternal love. Having a boyfriend might be good for her.

With that thought, I picked up the skincare and makeup products I had bought to give her.

But before I could even enter, I heard Mia sobbing softly.

"Brother! Don't you love me anymore? Why are you getting so close to that woman?"

"We were fine before, why do we have to be so distant now that we're home? I just want the New Year to pass quickly so we can go to our little home!"

Our little home?

Before I could ponder further, Jacob's words struck me like a bolt from the blue.

"Mia, stop being so willful. Though we're not biological siblings, our relationship is like a ticking time bomb. If it gets out, it's going to affect both of us severely."

"In front of your sister-in-law, you need to restrain yourself. You know I don't really love her. Marrying her was just a cover for us."

"And with your sister-in-law's family being so wealthy, we could have a child with her before I divorce her. Wouldn't our lives then appear more legitimate?"

I stood frozen, my mind unable to process.

Not real siblings?

Marrying me was just a cover?

Having a child with me before getting a divorce?

No wonder my mother-in-law was so eager for us to have a child within a year of marriage; she must have known about this, the three of them conspiring against me!

They wanted me to bear a child to cover up their disgusting affair so they could be together openly?

I was so disgusted I couldn't speak, and to think I had been blaming my own suspicions!

They had been playing me for a fool!

At night, while Jacob was asleep, I secretly unlocked his phone. I had trusted him before and never snooped through his phone.

But now, seeing all the messages on his phone, I was shocked.

The small apartment Mia rented near her school turned out to be their love nest, and Jacob's weekly business trips were just excuses to stay with her.

Sometimes they even met several times a week.

During the year Jacob and I were married, they had been having an affair right behind my back.

I should have suspected something. His job was stable, mostly office-based, so why all these untimely business trips?

No wonder Mia always looked at me with resentment; it was the jealousy of one woman towards another over a lover.

I was trembling with anger, biting my lip to keep from making a sound.

I really wanted to leave this disgusting place immediately.

But what about being tricked into marriage?

And the dowry I had given to support Jacob.

I must make every one of them pay a price!

I spent the night awake, formulating a meticulous plan.