Burning the Patents of Betrayal

At my wedding, my CEO wife's male assistant stood up in front of everyone and publicly presented a "year-end report" on their nights together.

"Big thanks to Adam for your generosity. Over the past year, your wife and I tried 500 different positions. I successfully earned a 500-thousand-dollar year-end bonus and the right to the wedding night.

"Adam, you should keep working hard. Don't feel too bad about only getting a one-dollar 'encouragement award.'

"And thank you to all our friends and family for acknowledging me. Tonight, on our wedding night, I'll make sure Julie is thoroughly satisfied."

The room fell into a suffocating silence. Even my mother-in-law—who always claimed to love me like her own son—said nothing.

Seeing how pale I'd gone, Julie Black spoke with brutal honesty.

"I accidentally got pregnant. The guy felt insecure and insisted on coming to the wedding, so I agreed. I was the one who crossed the line. I have to take responsibility."

My heart sank into an icy abyss.

Only then did I understand the meaning behind the one-dollar "encouragement bonus" Julie had transferred to me the night before.

Staring at my wife's unfamiliar face, I made up my mind: I didn't want her anymore.

I stayed silent, and Julie Black said hesitantly, "Adam, no matter who ends up by my side, you'll always be my husband. Since you know about Chuck and me now, let him spend the New Year with us this year."

I could barely believe it. This was the woman I had loved with everything I had for twenty years.

How could she be this shameless?

My stomach turned. I looked away, forcing down the bitterness rising in my chest.

"Do whatever you want."

Julie smiled with satisfaction and leaned in to kiss me the way she used to.

I flinched away instinctively, but before I could move, Chuck pulled her into his arms.

Right in front of me, they nuzzled each other, faces touching.

"Babe, I can't wait anymore. Let's head to the bridal suite now."

"You wear me out every time—you're not going to devour me again tonight, are you?"

Julie let out a soft laugh, kissed him, then turned to me with a helpless look.

"Young guys are so full of fire, they can hardly hold back. I'll take Chuck home first. Honey, Chuck loves the meals you cook. Go get some groceries—we'll all have dinner together."

She spoke like she was ordering around a servant.

Without giving me another glance, she took Chuck's hand and rushed out.

The stares around me—mocking, amused—pierced me from every direction.

I stood there for a long time, my chest so tight I could barely breathe.

Julie and I had grown up together.

Back then, just because she said she wanted to start a business, I gave up a job that paid ten times more. I buried myself in the lab, staying up for an entire month straight to develop a product for her.

In the end, I had