He Turned Against His Vow

The morning after, a woman knocked on my door.

Is your dad home?

Who?

Jonathan Czuchry, your father. The woman smiled gently. You must be Chloe, right? I've seen your photo in Jonathan's wallet. I never expected such a big, rough man to raise such a refined daughter.

My dad?

Lost in a daze, the woman handed me a bag containing a set of keys and a familiar pair of men's boxers. "These are what your father left at my place last night. I've already washed them clean." She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, a shy blush on her cheeks. "He didn't go to the office today, so I took the liberty of bringing them over. You're an adult now, so please don't be offended. Your mother's been gone for so many years; it's natural for your father to find someone."

I stared at the items in her hand, frozen. I had no idea that my husband, fourteen years my senior, had inexplicably become my "dad."

The woman appeared to be in her mid-thirties, with a darker complexion. While not strikingly beautiful, she had a pleasant demeanor. I struggled to maintain my composure and let her into the house.

She made herself quite at home, pouring a glass of water and settling in, then began to share the story of how she and Jonathan had met. "Your father and I met two years ago in Kenya. I was sold there by traffickers, forced into working as a hostess. One time, a customer was giving me a hard time, and your dad, he couldn't stand it. He used every penny in his account to buy me out C over a million dollars, can you believe it?"

I felt an icy dread seep into my bones. Two years ago, Jonathan had returned from a business trip to Kenya, crestfallen, telling me his investment had failed, and over a million dollars had vanished. I comforted him, saying that as long as he was safe, it was all that mattered.

Turns out, the money had all been spent on her. My gaze fell on the slender wrist she wore.

The woman raised her hand, showing off a glistening jade bangle. "This was your grandmother's heirloom," she explained with a smile. "Your dad gave it to me. He said the most important things should go to the most important person." The luminous jade bracelet sharply pricked my eyes.

The year Jonathan and I married, he was just starting his company. We were tight on money, so I asked for nothing, not even the traditional gold jewelry. Later, after his mother passed, I hinted repeatedly that I hoped he would give me his mother's bangle. But he always said that things from the dead were bad luck.

The woman's voice continued, "I'm an orphan. Your dad kindly brought me back to the States, set me up with everything, and even got me a job as his secretary in his company. Gradually, as we spent time together every day, feelings developed between us."

"Your dad is busy with work, but he always makes time for me. I have a sensitive stomach, and he even learned to cook for me."

"Last time my stomach was bothering me, he missed your grandmother's funeral to take care of me. But he said my health was more important than anything."

Listening to her words, my heart felt as if it were being flayed, bleeding profusely. When my own mother died, Jonathan had claimed he was too busy with work to return for the memorial. I had believed him, shouldering all the criticism and accusations on his behalf. Now, everything seemed so utterly laughable.

A sudden wave of nausea churned in my stomach. I clutched my lips, dry-heaving violently, a dull ache in my lower abdomen.

"What's wrong?" The woman realized her blunder, asking cautiously, "I'm sorry, Chloe. I shouldn't have told you all this. Are you... having trouble accepting your dad remarrying?"

I shook my head. It must be the little one in my belly grieving for me.

The woman, sensing my low spirits, added me on social media and then discreetly left. I sat at home all day, lost in a daze.

That evening, Jonathan finally returned. I looked at the man before me, nearing forty. Time hadn't etched many lines on his face; he was still strikingly handsome, composed, and mature.

"Jonathan Czuchry," I handed him the keys, my voice hoarse. "A woman brought these over earlier."

Jonathan's eyes narrowed, a flicker of panic crossing his face. "What did she say?"

"Why are you so flustered?" I averted my gaze, speaking calmly. "She just said she was your secretary, and you left your keys at the office last night while working late."

Jonathan tugged at his tie, clearly relieved. He had just sat down when his phone rang, and his expression instantly changed. "Sweetheart, something urgent came up at the office. You go to sleep, don't wait up for me tonight." Jonathan stayed for less than ten minutes before rushing out again.

Two hours later, I saw a post from Olivia on social media.

[My stomach started hurting again. Luckily he came just in time, making me porridge and soup. I'm so happy~]

I stared at the words, feeling as though I was plummeting into a bottomless abyss. Two years ago, Jonathan had suddenly taken an interest in cooking. He not only taught himself over a hundred dishes but also how to make various nutritious soups. I had been deeply touched, believing he learned to cook for me. Now I realized I was a complete and utter joke.

Sleep was impossible.

The next morning, I woke to excruciating pain in my lower abdomen and bleeding. Jonathan's phone was unreachable. I endured the pain, driving myself to the hospital. After a series of examinations, the doctor shook her head with regret. "Your progesterone levels are too low, and the emotional distress led to a miscarriage. You'll need a D&C."

Miscarriage... The two words floated lightly, yet they drained all strength from my body. My baby was gone. My marriage was collapsing.

That afternoon, Jonathan rushed to the hospital. He was panting, sweating profusely, one shoe missing. "Chloe, I'm so sorry..." Jonathan sat by my hospital bed, his eyes red, slapping himself in self-reproach. "I was so busy today, I just saw your message! I'm such an idiot, not being here for you immediately for something so important." His choked sobs and sorrow didn't seem fake. I thought, he must love me, right? I couldn't condemn him so easily based on a few words from someone else. I had to get to the bottom of this.

Just as I was about to speak, Jonathan glanced at his phone, his expression subtly uneasy. "Chloe, I have to step out for a moment for something." The moment he left, I followed.

At the end of the hallway, I saw Olivia clinging to Jonathan's arm, her voice sweetly complaining, "Jonathan, why didn't you tell me your daughter was hospitalized? I have to go see her. After all, I'm her elder, you know."

"Olivia, don't go." Jonathan stopped her, his face flustered. "Chloe... she's not quite ready to accept me moving on with new relationships."

Olivia paused. "No wonder she looked so unhappy yesterday."

"What did you say?" Jonathan's eyes narrowed. "What did you tell her yester..."

But Olivia suddenly hugged his waist, burying her face in his chest. "But Jonathan, I really want to be part of your family. I really want your daughter to accept me. I truly love you, and I don't want to break up because of outside reasons." Her voice was fragile and pitiful. Jonathan patted her back, his movements familiar and tender. "Foolish girl, what are you thinking? I won't leave you. I know you only have me in your world."

Watching this scene, my heart felt like it was being brutally torn in two. Her entire world was him. And wasn't mine the same?

I had been with Jonathan since I was eighteen. Back then, he had nothing, not a penny to his name. My family and friends all said I was crazy, finding an old, poor man who had nothing but good looks. Later, Jonathan started his business. To show his sincerity, he transferred all his initial company shares to me. He pledged his entire fortune to my father, promising that he would prove, with his actions, that my choice was not wrong. But now, he had fallen in love with a woman his own age. The fourteen-year age gap between us had become an unbridgeable chasm.

I returned to my hospital room, utterly distraught. A moment later, my hands trembling, I sent a message to my best friend.

[Skylar... Jonathan cheated on me.]

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. [Contact a lawyer for me. Jonathan spent millions on his mistress during our marriage. I want all that money back.]

[Also, find a time to sell all my shares in Czuchry Industries.]

Just as I put my phone away, Jonathan entered. He poured a glass of warm water, placing it by my bedside, then tentatively asked, "Sweetheart, did... my secretary say anything to you yesterday?"

"No, nothing," I feigned calmness, speaking indifferently. "She just dropped off the things and left."

Jonathan's brow relaxed. He sat down and patted my shoulder. "Sweetheart, don't be sad... you're still young. We'll have more children later."

There won't be any more, I repeated in my mind. Jonathan, there's no 'later' for us.

"Sweetheart, have some soup." Jonathan bustled about, personally making me a bowl of hot chicken soup. Looking at the steaming bowl in his hands, I recalled Olivia's social media post. My stomach suddenly churned, and I couldn't help but gag.

Jonathan frowned, patting my back. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I pushed him away. "Just felt a bit nauseous."

As I spoke, a clear female voice rang out from the doorway: "Jonathan." Jonathan's face froze. He turned around in a panic. "Olivia, what are you doing here?"

Olivia smiled, carrying a basket of fruit as she walked in. "After thinking it over, I felt I really should come see Chloe." Olivia sat by my bed, intimately taking my hand. "Chloe, Jonathan told me you're in the hospital for some women's health issues? Your mom passed early, so if there's anything you don't understand, you can always ask me..."

"Olivia!" Jonathan interrupted anxiously. "Something urgent came up at the office. You need to come back with me." He then said to me, "Chloe, rest well. I'll come back to see you later." With that, he pulled Olivia and left in a hurry.

I knew. He was panicking. He was afraid of being exposed. This seemingly upright man, with one lie, had deceived two women.

Half an hour later, I once again scrolled past Olivia's social media post.

[Called me out under the pretense of overtime, but it was actually to give me a huge surprise~] She posted a photo of a property deed. [I finally have a home in this city! A 3-million-dollar brownstone, it's his unique gift to me!]

The name "Olivia" on the property deed burned my eyes. I even wondered. Was she truly unaware of the truth, or was she deliberately provoking me?

I still couldn't resist. I called Jonathan. It wasn't until the eighth try that the call connected.

"Chloe, what's wrong?"

"Jonathan Czuchry, come back immediately. I have something to ask you."

In the past, Jonathan would have sensed the distress in my voice. But now, he merely lowered his tone. "Chloe, I'm very busy right now. I'll come back to be with you later."

"I want you to come back now!"

"Chloe, don't make a scene," Jonathan's voice grew impatient. "Just wait for me. I'll be back later." He hung up. Before the dial tone, I heard Olivia's voice, playfully complaining, on the other end. "Jonathan, I'm so happy today."

My tears suddenly fell. She was very happy. But her happiness was built upon my suffering.

Half an hour later, I received a message from Olivia.

[Chloe, don't you like me? If there's anything you're unhappy with about me, you can say it.]

[Even though I worked as a hostess in Kenya, my personal life is very clean. Your father is my first man.]

[And I'm pregnant with your dad's child. I will treat everyone equally in the future and try my best to be a good stepmother. I hope you can accept me!]