Chapter 4 4

"Joanna, listen to me, I can explain. I was... I was drunk. I mistook her for you, I..."

Blaming it on alcohol...

Aidan must have forgotten that my mother was a doctor before she retired. She had told me countless times about the state of men when they're drunk. Blaming it on alcohol was just a lame excuse, like trying to fool a ghost with fake money.

I pinched my thigh hard, finally squeezing out a few more tears from the pain.

"Aidan, you know I've always trusted you. I stay at home taking care of the kids, never doubting you or causing trouble. Is this how you repay me? I'm really hurt. I think... I think this is the end for us..."

Aidan saw the figure in a traditional Chinese dress called a cheongsam at the company entrance, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He was just short of kneeling on the spot.

"Joanna, I... I'm a beast. I shouldn't have done it. Please don't be sad. Let's talk about this at home, okay?"

As the figure got closer, I finally stifled my sobs.

"Joanna, are you and Aidan having a fight?"

It wasn't just Lauren this time; even Roderick's wife had come out, fanning the flames like a spectator at a show. "Oh, did Joanna catch him in the act?"

Aidan's face was plastered with a forced smile, and his eyes were practically tearing Roderick's wife apart.

I wiped away my tears and forced a smile. "Lauren, Emilee, I'm sorry you had to see this. I just got a message from the kindergarten. Our youngest got into a fight and ended up in the hospital. I always said girls should stick to something like Taekwondo instead of boxing. But no, Aidan insisted on boxing and now look at the trouble it's caused..."

Seeing that I had given him an out, Aidan quickly took the opportunity. After sending off these two troublemakers, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Joanna, thank you... for not exposing me."

I looked at him coldly, wiping away my tears. "I'm doing this for the kids. I can't let them grow up without a complete family. But Aidan, you've really disappointed me. I don't know how to face you anymore. We shouldn't live together from now on..."

Before I could finish, Aidan hurriedly pulled me into a tight embrace, apologizing profusely.

His touch gave me goosebumps, but I suppressed my discomfort and finally seized the moment to bring up the matter of financial compensation.

"I understand your social engagements, but these engagements can make young women lose their sense of boundaries. Your financial resources also make you a target for these people."

"Honey, whatever you say, I'll do it. Just... just don't let this family fall apart."

"We've been through thick and thin for twelve years. I don't want outsiders to speculate about us. I know you've always had a secret stash of money. Let's get it notarized as joint marital property. We'll both use secondary credit cards. When those young women see you using a secondary credit card, they'll know you have a family and won't throw themselves at you."

Aidan's expression changed multiple times, but he finally seemed to make a decision. He gritted his teeth and agreed.

The moment I got the notarized document, the first weight lifted off my heart.

The transferred assets were back in place. My half, and the half that belonged to our two children, were secured.

This was just the first step.