A Second Chance With My Tycoon Wife

The aroma of a delicious dinner hung heavy in the air, but the mood at the Palmer household was anything but savory. Stephanie Gilbert, the hostess, had just finished setting the table when a sight curdled her stomach-her husband, Erik Palmer, strolling in with Vivian Howard, his lover, on his arm.

Three years into their marriage, the love Stephanie held for Erik felt like a wilting flower, neglected and thirsty in the shadow of his indifference.

Vivian's provocative messages to Stephanie, including her intimate pictures with Erik, were designed to twist the knife in Stephanie's already wounded heart.

Like a wilting flower struggling for sunlight, Stephanie's marriage had barely survived these three years, leaving her drained and heartbroken.

Leaning on Erik like a vine clinging to a trellis, Vivian cooed, "Stephanie, so sorry to crash your dinner party! Did you do all the cooking? You're quite skilled in the kitchen! Unlike me, I've always struggled with my health. That's why Erik takes such good care of me and never lets me cook."

Stephanie's pursed lips betrayed a brewing storm within. Vivian's mere presence was a stark reminder of the love lost, the void etched where Erik's affection should have been.

"So, can a mistress just stroll into my home now? It's utterly absurd."

"Stephanie, don't jump to conclusions!" Vivian pouted, a hint of mock hurt in her voice. "Erik and I are nothing more than friends. My doctor recommends strict diet due to my delicate health, you see. So, when I learned of your exceptional cooking skills, I practically begged Erik to bring me here. Surely, you wouldn't deny a poor soul a healthy, home-cooked meal, would you?"

Stephanie clenched her fists. "Hold on, Miss Howard. We hardly know each other, so don't talk like we're friends. This meal was for my husband, not uninvited guests."

"Come on! What's the drama? You're supposed to be hospitable! It's just a meal. Relax."

"Honestly, get over yourself. It's just dinner. You've been hosting us ever since you married my brother. Don't act like Vivian's presence is some huge tragedy!" Lacey Palmer impatiently chimed in as she descended the stairs.

"And to be honest, Vivian might have married my brother if you weren't in the picture," Lacey said as she habitually sat down at the table, motioning for Vivian to join her.

They sat in tense silence, Lacey and Vivian's chatter a jarring contrast to the strained air between Stephanie and Erik. Their averted gazes and tense postures spoke volumes, painting a stark picture of a fractured marriage.

The phone rang.

Erik hastily answered it, exchanging a few words before abruptly hanging up.

"I have some business matters to attend to at the company. Stephanie, please take care of things here. I won't be back tonight," Erik announced hurriedly before leaving.

Pushing aside her untouched plate, Stephanie met the remaining women with a steely gaze. "I'm done here. Enjoy your meal."

With that, she stood and ascended the stairs.

"What did I do? Is Stephanie upset because I'm here?" Vivian fluttered her eyelashes, feigning concern.

"Leave her be, Vivian. Try this..."

Lost in thought, Stephanie traced the quilt's pattern, three years of memories swirling in her mind.

Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to be swept off her feet by someone during a campus speech. Yet, there she was, completely captivated by Erik's every word and gesture.

From that moment on, marrying him wasn't just a desire, it was an inscription etched onto her soul.

However, her Mr. Right turned out to be Mr. Not-So-Right-After-All, and her dreams unraveled like a rom-com gone awry.

He did possess the gentleness she had envisioned, but it was not directed towards her.

He possessed the strength and influence she had believed in, but he proved unwilling to shield her.

Caught in a gilded cage, she smothered her own needs, serving the Palmers with a heart both resentful and hopeful for a love that seemed to fade with each sacrifice.

Despite the obstacles Erik's mother and sister threw her way, she endured everything without causing any trouble for him.

With a fragile hope clinging to her heart, Stephanie vowed to persevere, hoping it would finally open his eyes to her genuine love for him.

The invitation was a slap in the face, a blatant disregard for her feelings as Vivian, the source of her insecurity, waltzed into their home.

Was his next step to make her give up her place to Vivian?

Knock knock!

There was a knock at the door.

Stephanie opened it to find Vivian looking remorseful. "Stephanie, I'm sorry. I didn't realize today was your third wedding anniversary with Erik. I didn't mean to intrude."

"Erik isn't here. You can drop the pretense," Stephanie replied bluntly, not in the mood for conversation with Vivian.

Vivian's demeanor shifted abruptly as she entered Stephanie's room with a sneer. "Stephanie, if I were in your shoes, I'd divorce Erik immediately. He clearly doesn't love you."

Stephanie's brows furrowed. "So what he doesn't love me? As long as I remain married, I'm still his spouse."

Surveying the room, Vivian asked, "Don't be so arrogant. Imagine if I were to get hurt here, how do you think Erik would react?"

Stephanie knew that Erik would not take her side should anything like that happened. "Leave!" she demanded.

"Three years is far too long. I'm here to tell you I'm done waiting." Vivian's smirk revealed her satisfaction.

"What do you mean?" Stephanie's unease grew.

Suddenly, Vivian spun around, seized an eyebrow razor, and plunged it into her own abdomen.

"Stephanie, I want your life!"

Stephanie's demeanor turned icy. "Vivian! What on earth are you doing?!"

Blood trickled from Vivian's lips as her gaze shifted behind Stephanie. "Lacey, help me..."

In the hospital.

When Erik arrived, the doctor had just emerged from the emergency room.

"The patient's kidney is ruptured and requires a transplant!"

"Stephanie! How could you be so ruthless?" Erik confronted her.

He shoved Stephanie hard, causing her to stagger backwards. "It wasn't me. She did it to herself..."

Erik pressed her further. "Are you suggesting Vivian stabbed herself?"

"Stephanie! I witnessed it. Vivian, seeing you upset, went to apologize in your room. You attacked her. If I hadn't intervened, Vivian would have been dead by now!" Lacey sobbed.

The doctor grew frantic. "Her condition is critical!"

"You! You owe Vivian your kidney!" Lacey pointed at Stephanie, recalling something. "She has a universal blood type. She's bound to be a match."

Erik approached Stephanie, his gaze piercing.

Stephanie shook her head vehemently. "You... Stay away from me."

"Doctor, conduct the compatibility test on her," Erik commanded.

"No, I'm innocent. I didn't stab her..." Stephanie struggled to distance herself.

But Erik wasn't alone. With his nod, his bodyguards advanced.

"Erik!" Stephanie summoned a reserve of strength, pushing away the bodyguard in front of her. "Are you really going to take my kidney to compensate Vivian?"

"You hurt her, so it's only fair to make amends," Erik replied coldly.

"You're convicting me without any evidence?" Stephanie's heart ached with anguish.

Erik frowned. "Would my sister lie to me? Is the doctor lying as well?"

Stephanie scoffed in frustration. Over these three years, it wasn't the first time Vivian had plotted, nor was it the first time Lacey had bullied her. Yet Erik always chose to believe everyone but her.

"Erik, let's end this with a divorce."

"Now you regret it?" Erik's tone dripped with scorn.

Stephanie's determination solidified. "From this moment forward, we're over! Whether you decide to marry Vivian or anyone else, it's no longer my concern."

Erik sneered. "You want a divorce, fine. But first, you'll pay for your actions."

Stephanie's gaze remained resolute. "I tolerated so much because I loved you, Erik. But now, I see how foolish I was to fall for you! You think you can lay claim to my organs? Go to hell!"

She couldn't fathom that the woman who had relentlessly pursued Erik would really resort to harming herself.

"Get out of my way!"

Brushing past the doctor, she stormed into the operating room.

Vivian lay on the operating table, conversing with a nurse.

"So, you truly desire my demise!" Stephanie said coldly.

"Stephanie..."

Slap!

Stephanie struck Vivian with all her might.

"Stephanie!" Erik caught up, his anger palpable.

"What, afraid I'll harm her?" Stephanie's tone dripped with disdain.

Erik's gaze landed on Vivian, comforting her. "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you."

A triumphant smile flickered in Vivian's eyes, yet she put on a pitiful one when she turned to Erik. "Erik, it hurts so much..."

Stephanie pressed her fingers against her abdomen. "You want it?"

"Stephanie, I don't hold it against you. If you're unwilling to donate your kidney to me, I totally understand." Vivian's words belied her tears.

"You want it. You have to be severely hurt first." Stephanie's demeanor turned icy as she approached Vivian.

She lifted the sterile cloth, revealing Vivian's wound to everyone.

Erik's expression turned grim in an instant.

On Vivian's abdomen, there was only a minor scratch, hardly even two inches long, and no longer bleeding anymore.

As Stephanie had expected, the eyebrow razor was neither sharp nor sizable, and Vivian lacked the resolve to truly harm herself.

In the past, Stephanie had been concerned about Erik's feelings, avoiding angering him or engaging in conflicts. Thus, she tolerated Vivian's manipulations.

Her heart, once malleable, had solidified into steel. She no longer cared how Erik felt about things, and she refused to tolerate Vivian's slander.

"Miss Howard, do you think you can demand my kidney by merely scratching yourself? You're deluding yourself." She advanced, her finger hovering over Vivian's wound.

"No..." Vivian had never seen this side of Stephanie, as sinister as a demon emerging from hell. "I... I don't know anything. Perhaps the doctor erred. Please, stay calm."

"Really? Then let me enlarge it for you, so Erik can ascertain if your kidney is really ruptured." Stephanie pressed harder, causing blood to spurt from Vivian's wound.

Wide-eyed, Vivian appealed to Erik. "Erik, save me! For Phil's sake..."

At the mention of that name, Erik softened slightly.

He approached, gripping Stephanie's wrist. "That's enough!"

Stephanie released her hold on Vivian, feeling defeated.

"Fine! Erik, I'll prepare the divorce papers and send them to you. We're finished from now on," Stephanie said as she walked away, leaving Erik feeling hollow inside, uncertain why.

"Erik..." Vivian's voice quivered.

Erik dismissed those unsettling thoughts. Stephanie was an orphan, and if she parted ways with him, she would be left without a place to call home.

He had misjudged her this time.

He would make amends later.

For now, he had to handle the present situation.

Turning to the doctor, Erik asked, "Kidney rupture? The situation is critical?"

The doctor, nervous, glanced at Vivian. "It wasn't a misdiagnosis, Mr. Palmer. Please forgive us. It was Miss Howard's idea. She said if your wife passed away, she..."

"Get out!" Erik erupted.

"I've been too lenient with you all these years!" His eyes darkened.

"Erik, I was wrong. Please, remember my brother? Forgive me this once," Vivian pleaded tearfully.

Erik sighed. "This is your last chance, Vivian. I won't marry you, ever! If you deceive me again, not even Phil's return from death can save you."

After leaving the hospital, Erik made several calls, but Stephanie didn't answer any of them.

It was as if Stephanie had vanished from the face of the earth. Her home, workplace, usual spots-all searched to no avail.

In the Gilbert family's residence.

A man sat on the sofa in the living room, legs crossed. He wore golden-rimmed glasses, exuding an air of nobility. "You've finally decided to return home?"

Stephanie glanced at him, her lips pouting, tears flowing down her face. "Eddie!"

"Why the tears? If someone bullies you, stand up to them. You're my little sister and I've always got you back, alright?" the man said nonchalantly.