The Invitation Said Happy Birthday To His Daughter With Another Woman Chapter 01

The Invitation Said Happy Birthday To His Daughter With Another Woman Chapter 01

My husband and I had been living in different cities and hadn’t seen each other for an entire year when I ran into one of his colleagues at the mall.

She smiled and greeted me: “Congratulations! I heard the news about your second child, a beautiful baby girl.”

I froze, feeling like I’d been struck by lightning.

She didn’t notice the strange look on my face and continued:

“I’ll definitely be at the Baby’s Welcome Gala this weekend.”

As she spoke, she brandished a gold-rimmed, crimson invitation in her hand:

“The design is so thoughtful; it’s really stunning.”

I forced a smile, feigning composure as I took the invitation from her to look.

Under the father’s name, I saw my husband: Julian Sterling.

Under the mother’s name: Brooke Harrison.

I didn’t know this woman at all.

I silently memorized the hotel address before handing the invitation back:

“Thank you. See you this weekend.”

*******

On the weekend, I arrived at the hotel address listed on the invitation.

Amidst the lively scene, a beautiful woman stood at the door welcoming guests, cradling a three-month-old infant in her arms.

She smiled and greeted me:

“Are you one of my husband’s colleagues? He works with so many beautiful women. Please, come in and have a seat.”

Turmoil surged in my heart as I looked at the baby girl; her skin was fair.

Her eyes and brow bore a distinct resemblance to Julian Sterling.

I asked expressionlessly, “Where is Julian?” He was nowhere to be seen at the venue.

However, I did spot several familiar faces among the relatives.

I had only met Julian’s extended family once, seven years ago at our wedding.

But I have a good memory and recognized several of the more distinct older relatives.

I never imagined Julian would be bold enough to present an illegitimate daughter so publicly to his family.

“Julian went to pick up my in-laws; he’ll be back in a moment.”

My heart jolted again, feeling as if a hole had been torn through it, the pain making it hard to breathe.

Two days ago, my in-laws told me they had joined a senior citizens’ tour group.

They said they’d be traveling for half a month.

Worried their pension wouldn’t cover it, I even transferred $8,000 to my mother-in-law as a travel fund.

The two of them had been in poor health for years, constantly on medication and never traveling.

They said they wanted to clear their heads, and I supported them wholeheartedly.

Over the years, I had treated them with the same devotion as my own parents.

In public and private, they praised me for being a devoted, hardworking, and rare daughter-in-law.

I never thought they were playing me for a fool, just like Julian.

Brooke Harrison didn’t notice the emotions churning in my eyes.

She led me over to the section where Julian’s colleagues were gathered.

As I approached, a middle-aged man looked at Brooke with envy:

“I really envy Julian. Not only is his wife beautiful, but his daughter is even more so.”

The group of men and women chimed in one after another.

“Brooke, you really made the right bet. When you quit your job to focus on the family, I was a little worried.”

“Six years have passed, and you and Julian are still so happy. Now that you have this little miracle, I’m truly happy for you.”

My hands clenched into fists, my nails digging into my palms.

I only then realized that my marriage to Julian had lasted seven years.

Yet he had been having an affair with Brooke for over six years.

What’s more ridiculous is that during these long seven years, I was completely in the dark.

Even this morning, he sent me a “morning kiss” text as usual.

Saying, “Hey babe, I miss you again.”

For these seven years, our relationship had been excellent.

He never lost his temper with me. He earned $20,000 a month and only kept $1,000 for himself.

He gave all the rest to me.

Every year, he used his annual bonus to buy me custom jewelry.

I had saved quite a bit just from those pieces.

A year ago, he discussed it with me, saying that taking an out-of-state assignment would increase his monthly pay by $5,000.

He said we had to think about our son’s future.

College, weddings, a down payment for a house—it all costs money.

He wanted to earn more to save for our son.

After careful consideration, I agreed to him being stationed in a city a thousand miles away.

Now I realize he was like the dead of night, making it impossible for me to truly see him.