When Summer Finally Came

I followed my husband's mistress.

She lived a luxurious life. A villa in a wealthy neighborhood, a car worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. She was rich.

Even when meeting my husband, she always went home on time.

She said her father was very strict with her.

To protect my marriage, I secretly took photos and sent a message to her strict father.

"Did you know your daughter is someone's mistress?"

After a long wait, he finally replied.

"I know now."

"I've been betrayed."

Sophia's POV

I stared at my phone screen, confused for a moment.

Why did he say he was the one betrayed?

I was the one who'd been betrayed.

Maybe he made a typo.

After all, finding out your daughter is someone's mistress would shake anyone up.

I patiently corrected him. "I'm the one who's been betrayed. Your daughter is secretly involved with my husband."

After thinking for a moment, I added, "If texting is inconvenient, we can talk on the phone."

He only replied with one sentence.

"Let's meet in person to discuss this."

Before this, I thought Renee's father had to be at least fifty years old.

I didn't expect him to look so young.

Even with money and good skincare, he shouldn't look like the man sitting across from me.

He wore a suit, strikingly handsome, with thick hair.

But this was my first time doing something like this. How should I bring it up?

"I didn't expect you to look so young. You don't even look forty yet."

He raised his eyes slightly, staring at me. "I'm thirty-three."

I froze. "What?"

"Thirty-three." He pressed his lips together.

"...Oh." I quickly took a sip of coffee. At the peak of my embarrassment, I blurted out, "You had kids really early then."

He paused, his fingertip touching the rim of his cup. "Actually, I'm not her... biological father."

I caught on. "You're her stepfather?"

"Something like that." He lowered his head to drink.

I nodded. "No wonder you're so young."

He took a deep breath, glanced at me, then pulled out a business card from his pocket and placed it between us.

"My name is Sebastian Hart. Let's get straight to the point."

He withdrew his hand.

"About Renee and your husband. I want to hear all the details."

I gripped my coffee cup tightly.

"Alright."

...

My husband, Ethan, ran a fairly well-known piano training center.

Renee was his student. She'd been taking lessons for over a year.

I didn't know exactly when they got together. I only discovered them three months ago when I went to see him and caught them kissing on top of the piano.

My heart stopped at that moment.

I wanted to push open that door, but my pride and rationality weighed on me so heavily I couldn't move.

My vision blurred, but my mind stayed cold and clear.

I memorized that girl's face, went to the office, cross-referenced the student files, and found her name: Renee.

She was young and beautiful, tall and slender. She'd enrolled in the premium course, five thousand dollars per session, and paid for thirty two lessons upfront.

A total of one hundred sixty thousand dollars.

"For a girl her age, a hundred and sixty thousand is a huge sum."

Sebastian listened to me expressionlessly.

"Mm. I remember her asking me for two hundred thousand."

So she pocketed forty thousand for herself.

I couldn't help but grumble internally. Having a father willing to spend money on you must be nice.

Since I'd only caught them once, I wasn't sure if it was a fleeting affair or a long-term relationship, so I started following her.

To my surprise, Renee lived an extravagant life.

She didn't work. She slept until afternoon, drove a luxury car worth hundreds of thousands, lived in a villa in a wealthy area, and spent her days having afternoon tea with friends, playing golf and tennis.

I followed her for half a month and started feeling depressed.

"Honestly, I was shocked. Her circumstances are too good. I don't understand why she'd be interested in my husband."

Sebastian's expression darkened, his lips pressed into a tight line.

"Would you mind sharing your husband's financial situation?"

I spoke openly.

"He has a PhD in music. He left academia a few years ago to start his own business. His annual income just reached... seven figures."

"A million?"

Sebastian seemed incredulous at that answer.

He pulled at the corner of his mouth, then looked me up and down, asking with certainty, "So is he extremely good-looking?"

I held out my phone to show him Ethan's photo.

"Actually, he's okay... Not as good-looking as you."

He looked up at me in surprise, narrowed his eyes, and said in a peculiar tone, "You think I'm better-looking than your husband?"

I froze for a moment.

Was that what I meant?

"No, I mean...we're ordinary people. Not like you two, father and daughter, with such superior looks."

He stared at me for a while, then suddenly grabbed my phone, his fingertip tapping the screen lightly.

"He looks very ordinary. You don't."

My heart skipped a beat. I gripped my phone tightly and pulled my hand back.

"Mr. Hart, I came to you hoping you'd control your daughter."

"Of course I'll control her." He nodded, lifting his gaze to meet mine, his tone cool. "But I don't understand. Do you really think doing this will win back your partner?"

His words struck like a heavy blow to my most painful spot.

"Of course not."

I put away Sebastian's business card, stood up, took a deep breath, and looked down at him.

"I just don't want my ex-husband to have the chance to latch onto a rich heiress after our divorce."

Sebastian sat still, tilting his neck back to look at me with interest.

"What's your name?"

I slowly extended my hand toward him.

"Sophia."

Sophia's POV

When I got home, Ethan was moving things into the study.

I stood in the doorway and glanced at him. "Are you sleeping in the study?"

He smiled at me, responding naturally. "I've been working late recently. I don't want to disturb your rest."

"Oh." I ignored him.

Probably wants to tell his mistress he only has sex with her.

I went into the master bedroom, pulled out the business card, and started searching online.

Sebastian's phone number was something I'd gotten from the property management at Renee's apartment complex.

Lucky for me, that property wasn't registered under Renee's name.

I wanted to know what exactly he did for a living.

To my surprise, searching Sebastian Hart's name brought up countless associated companies, several of which I'd even heard of.

He's... that rich?

No wonder he gave that helpless smile when he heard my husband's seven-figure annual income.

"Honey, want some coffee I made myself?" Ethan suddenly appeared.

I immediately closed my laptop, afraid he'd see.

A cup of hot coffee was placed in front of me.

"I have a female student whose family is quite wealthy." Ethan took my hand. "You know I've been busy trying to attract investors. I invited her over for dinner tonight to discuss investment opportunities."

I instantly understood his intention and looked up at him. "Which one?"

"Renee." Ethan mentioned the name casually, as if it had nothing to do with him.

"Sure." I smiled slightly. "Want me to cook?"

"No need, I'll do it." Ethan suddenly reached out and touched my face, his eyes full of warmth. "You don't need to do anything."

I looked into his eyes, feeling momentarily lost.

Perhaps my taste differed from Sebastian's. In my eyes, Ethan wasn't ordinary looking at all. He was handsome, educated, gentle, the type of man who'd easily appeal to wealthy women.

If he didn't love me anymore, why did he keep up such a good act?

At six PM, Renee came to our house.

Ethan went to the kitchen to cook, leaving me to chat with Renee.

"I didn't expect you to be so beautiful." She took the coffee, tilting her head and smiling at me.

I maintained my smile. "Mm... Are you surprised?"

Renee fell somewhat silent.

"But isn't this exhausting for you?"

She looked away toward Ethan. "Do you know why I came to your house for dinner?"

She turned back to face me. "Because the property manager at my building told me a woman's been asking about me recently."

My heart lurched.

Did she already know?

Renee leaned closer, lowering her voice. "I came to warn you."

I froze in place, my heart racing, palms sweating.

Sophia's POV

"Dinner's ready."

Ethan's voice interrupted the strange atmosphere between Renee and me.

At the table, Ethan chatted with her while serving me food.

I didn't eat a single bite.

Who wants to perform in a play with no audience?

Renee seemed unable to watch anymore either. She pointed toward the study.

"Mr. Clinton, are you sleeping in the study?"

Ethan responded gently. "We're both so busy with work that we sleep separately. We rest better that way."

His words carried deeper meaning, making it sound like we'd already separated.

I was too lazy to expose his lies.

Sure enough, Renee believed him and gave me a provocative smile.

I kept my expression blank, put down my fork, and stood up.

"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

Then I turned and left.

Ethan glanced at me. Only when Renee called him back did he return his attention to their conversation.

He needed a ten-million-dollar investment to expand his piano training center.

"Sure, my family actually wants me to try finding some investment projects anyway."

Ethan acted quite reserved. "Renee, don't agree so quickly. Let me send you the business proposal. Read it carefully first."

"Okay, whatever you say." She nodded.

I stopped at the corner of the hallway, pulled out my phone, and sent that man a text.

"Mr. Hart, Renee's at my house. For such a renowned entrepreneur, if you can't discipline your daughter, I'll have to do it for you."

After a minute, he replied.

"Go ahead and hit her. I don't have time."

My eyes widened.

This man was absurd.

A moment later, I returned to my seat.

Renee seemed in an excellent mood. She glanced at me. "Mr. Clinton, if we become business partners, we'll be working together frequently. Won't Sophia be upset seeing us meet so often?"

Ethan paused, then said seriously, "We have a normal working relationship. She won't be upset."

Renee kept provoking me. I lost all appetite for the food on the table.

I studied Renee and spoke coldly. "But for such a large sum, can you come up with it on your own, Miss Renee?"

She met my gaze fearlessly. "This is nothing for me. As long as I want it, my family will support me."

Ethan tugged at my arm. "Sophia?" He wanted to stop me.

"I'm just worried she's pushing herself too hard." I smiled apologetically, then turned to Ethan. "I know you've been looking for investors. Why don't you send me the proposal too? I happen to know a wealthy person who's very interested in this."

I reached into my pocket, felt that thin card, and pulled it out without hesitation, placing it on the table.

Ethan froze, reading the name aloud. "Sebastian Hart?"

Across from me, Renee looked terrified, staring at me in disbelief. Her previous aggressive demeanor vanished completely.

I quietly enjoyed watching her expression change.

She was truly scared.

The next second, Renee's phone rang.

The ringtone was sudden and shrill, startling us all.

Renee gripped her phone and shot to her feet, looking extremely nervous. "Um, it's my father calling... I need to take this."

She rushed into the guest bathroom and shut the door firmly.

I couldn't help but laugh. So Sebastian finally had time and knew to make a phone call.

Ethan asked what I was laughing about.

"Renee's in her twenties and still so afraid of her parents. Don't you find that funny?"

"No, I don't." Ethan didn't smile. He picked up the business card and looked at me. "How do you know Sebastian Hart?"

"I don't know him. A friend of mine knows his assistant."

I was about to take back the card when Ethan dodged my hand and tucked it into his pocket.

"Then I'll keep it."

In less than a minute, Renee came out.

Her face looked terrible. She hastily made her excuses, saying she had to go home.

Even when Ethan offered to drive her, she refused.

Ethan closed the door, puzzled. "What... happened to her?"

"Probably her father won't let her come home too late."

I lost interest too. I turned to head back to my room. After just a few steps, I was suddenly embraced from behind.

Ethan rested his chin on my shoulder, his voice very soft.

"Sophia."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, pushed his arms away, and turned around. "Didn't you just say you were sleeping in the study?"

Ethan paused. "I..." He opened his mouth but said nothing.

"Good night."

I walked into the bedroom alone.

Sophia's POV

Renee hadn't come to class these past few days.

Ethan told me.

"Do you think something happened to her?"

He kept checking his phone, but there were no messages.

"Maybe she can't come up with that much money for the investment, so she doesn't want to contact you anymore." I brushed past him toward the door. "Were you really counting on her?"

Ethan frowned.

He turned around and stared at me. "Where are you going?"

"Meeting a friend." I grabbed my car keys.

"You seem to be going out alone a lot lately." He seemed to be complaining.

"Do you want to come with me?" I met his gaze.

He nodded and was about to come over when suddenly his phone rang. He glanced at it, then looked at me apologetically. "I have something here, so..."

"Fine."

I cut him off and walked straight out.

The friend I was meeting was a divorce lawyer.

"The divorce agreement is ready."

I handed the lawyer the photos I'd taken while following him and Renee on their dates, mostly hand holding, hugging, and other intimate interactions.

"Using these as evidence of his marital betrayal isn't sufficient enough."

I put the photos back in the folder.

"What level of evidence do I need to collect before you're confident you can help me claim all the assets?"

"All the assets?"

I looked up, confirming with her again. "Yes. Everything. I want to take away everything he has."

Before leaving, the lawyer told me I needed more direct evidence.

More direct...

I opened my phone, found the location tracker on Ethan's car, and drove to the spot, a mountain road.

Ethan and Renee stood by the roadside.

I couldn't hear what they were saying, but when Renee tried to take his hand, Ethan coldly pulled away.

I sat in my car, taking the opportunity to photograph them. But while checking the photos, I suddenly noticed Ethan looking in my direction.

Not good. He recognized my car.

My heart raced. I immediately drove off.

In the rearview mirror, I saw Ethan's car in hot pursuit.

My heart pounded as I stepped on the gas, accelerating continuously. I'd barely managed to shake him off when a car came slowly around a bend. I slammed on the brakes and jerked the steering wheel, but still ended up with serious scraping.

Damn it. A Bentley, too.

I pounded the steering wheel. I had no choice but to get out. I was about to apologize when I discovered the person getting out of the car was Sebastian Hart.

"It's you?"

At least he still remembered me.

Sebastian glanced at my aggressive driving. "Practicing drifting?"

I had nowhere else to turn, so I had to ask him for help.

"I've been discovered. My husband's car is behind me..."

Sebastian was speechless.

He had his driver take my car away.

I got into Sebastian's car. He drove while I sat in the passenger seat.

Ethan's name popped up on my phone screen.

I declined. It rang again.

Only when Sebastian told me to answer did I dare pick up.

"Honey, are you nearby? I think I saw your car on the road."

There was unmistakable tension in Ethan's voice.

"My car got into a small accident. Someone probably drove it to get it fixed."

"Oh, I see." Ethan relaxed. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Where are you now? Should I come pick you up?"

I instinctively glanced at Sebastian, paused for a second. "No need. I got a ride."

The call ended.

Sebastian gripped the steering wheel and chuckled softly. "You're both excellent liars."

I fell silent for a moment.

The car drove along the mountain road. The scenery outside was beautiful as an oil painting.

"Mr. Hart, this doesn't seem like the way back to the city."

"Mm." He answered unconcernedly. "I have plans today. I'm meeting someone for dinner."

I was confused. "Ah, then what about me...?"

"I gave you a ride because it was on the way. Wherever I'm going, that's where you get off. Isn't that right?" Sebastian turned to look at me.

I frowned and opened my mouth. "What am I supposed to do at your dinner?"

His fingertip tapped the steering wheel lightly as he slowly spoke. "If you leave, it's a hit-and-run."

"I..."

I was forced to join Sebastian for dinner.

The place was hidden deep in the mountains and forest, a Michelin restaurant that required advance reservations.

Sebastian's friends were all waiting for him.

"You're always the most punctual. Why are you late today?"

"Got in a car accident. Lucky I came out alright."

Everyone fell silent.

I sat next to him, feeling extremely nervous.

Especially during dinner when my phone kept ringing. Ethan was looking for me.

I stood up. Someone looked over. Sebastian explained for me, "Her husband is very concerned about her whereabouts."

"...Huh?"

Now everyone looked over at once.

I stood there, opened my mouth, but decided to keep quiet. I turned to take the call.

Through the receiver, Ethan's voice sounded strained. "Why aren't you answering my calls?"

I glanced at the screen. Over ten missed calls.

"I'm having dinner with a friend."

"What friend? Male or female? Do I know them..."

I was getting a headache. "You don't know them."

Ethan on the other end fell silent.

I hung up and was about to go back when I overheard someone say, "I didn't expect you to like this type now."

"Just an ordinary friend." Sebastian focused on his meal.

Everyone went quiet.

After a while, I returned to my seat, pretending I hadn't heard.

But his friends suddenly became interested in me.

"Sebastian, Miss... looks very young. How many years have you been married?"

He looked directly at me. "How many years?"

I felt awkward. "Three years."

His friend pressed on. "What does Miss... do for work?"

Sebastian turned his head. "Right, you're a..."

"Music teacher." I quickly took over.

"That's nice." He nodded approvingly.

His friend crossed his arms, glancing at him helplessly. "How do you know nothing about her?"

Sebastian put down his knife and fork.

"I know her husband found a mistress. Their marriage is broken and they're about to divorce. Isn't that enough?"

Sophia's POV

The whole table fell silent. No one spoke for a moment.

"I... I'm full. I'll head back now."

I hastily fled the scene.

I didn't expect to see Renee approaching in the distance as soon as I walked out.

She was definitely here to find Sebastian.

I turned to hide, but bumped right into someone's chest.

"Mm?" Sebastian took half a step back, looking down at me. "Still hungry?"

I signaled him with my eyes.

"Renee's here..."

Only then did Sebastian notice the figure in the distance. He grabbed my wrist and pushed me into the car alone, smoothly closing the door.

Before he could get in, Renee ran over and started talking to him.

I couldn't hear their conversation.

But Renee kept crying, seemingly emotional. Sebastian backed away, speaking expressionlessly.

I quietly cracked the car door open a bit.

The man's cold voice drifted in. "You said you wanted to learn piano so you could play for me once you learned."

Renee's voice was choked, breaking intermittently. "I didn't... those things you mentioned... I don't know who told you what..."

Sebastian showed no emotion.

"Who said it doesn't matter. This is the end."

Just as he opened the car door and was about to get in, Renee rushed up in a few steps, forcefully grabbing the car door and actually kneeling down right there in front of Sebastian.

"Mr. Hart, I know I was wrong..."

I didn't expect Renee, someone so proud, could humble herself to this degree just to apologize.

Sebastian looked at her calmly.

"You don't need to do this."

At that moment, my phone made a sound. I instantly silenced it in fright.

Renee froze, wanting to look into the car. Sebastian blocked her view with his body.

She understood. Her expression turned awful in an instant.

He got into the car, glanced at me, and slowly raised the window.

"Eavesdropping?"

I avoided his gaze, my heart racing uncontrollably.

"You're not her father."

"I never said I was, but I do think I count as her father in a way."

I fell silent for a moment before answering. "In what way are you her father?"

Sebastian pressed the start button.

"Sugar daddy. Doesn't that count as a kind of daddy?"

The car started down the mountain.

He swiped his finger across the driver's screen and played a song.

I really felt like he was driving me crazy.

I never imagined he wasn't the mistress's actual father.

My first reaction was to apologize. "I'm sorry. My husband seduced your girlfriend."

"Ah, you're a perfect wife." He suddenly sighed.

I was furious. "Mr. Hart, you seem to have a problem with me."

"No. I've been betrayed, so this is just how I talk." He kept his eyes on the road ahead. "I hope you'll be understanding."

He'd said everything there was to say...

I replied quietly. "I've been betrayed too. Why should I be understanding toward you?"

He turned the steering wheel with one hand, showing no sign of being offended.

"Oh, so you only show understanding to your husband."

"You-"

The car turned a corner. Due to inertia, I swayed back slightly, and my curse died on my lips.

Lush green mountains entered my view.

The song on the speakers had just reached its climax.

"This is my favorite stretch of road," Sebastian suddenly said.

I quietly admired the mountain scenery.

But my phone kept vibrating. Ethan was calling repeatedly.

Sebastian noticed too.

"He seems to call every ten minutes."

I dimmed the screen.

"I don't know what's gotten into him lately."

Sebastian glanced at me.

"Unfaithful people have less security than faithful ones. Because they know what they're doing when they don't answer the phone."

I almost laughed in anger. "Is he actually suspicious of me?"

"Looks like you're not planning to get revenge by betraying him back." He quietly withdrew his gaze.

I fell silent.

After a while, the music suddenly cut off. Sebastian's phone rang.

He looked at the number, frowned, and pressed the answer button.

"Hello?"

"Excuse me, is this Mr. Hart's assistant?"

His Bluetooth was connected to the car, so the voice came through the speakers. Almost instantly, I recognized whose voice it was. My body went rigid.

Why was he making this call?

Sebastian was still unaware. "I'm Sebastian Hart. How did you get my private number?"

The person on the other end fell silent for three seconds, his voice suddenly cold.

"I'm Sophia's husband."