No Return Trip

1.

This Spring Break was... different.

My husband, Mark, suddenly announced he was taking annual leave. He was all mysterious about it, even booked a seven-day trip to Scandinavia. A little thrill went through me; I thought he was finally learning to be thoughtful.

Then, that day, I overheard him talking to our son.

"Dad, you're married to Aunt Lily, what about Mom?" Our son, Finn, sounded so confused, his voice tiny and innocent.

Mark just chuckled, playing it off. "Silly boy, that's just pretend."

"You have to keep it a secret for Dad, don't tell your mom. I'll get you the newest toy car." He even tried to bribe Finn with a gift.

In that moment, my mind just exploded. I stood there, rooted to the spot, for ages, trying to process it all.

I eventually stumbled downstairs, the cold air outside doing little to help me calm down. If he was so desperate to rekindle things with Lily Roberts, then I didn't need to put myself through this anymore. All those dreams I'd put on hold for family when I was younger? It was time to pick them up again.

This Scandinavian trip? I wasn't coming back.

After Id calmed down, I headed back upstairs and ran smack into Mark in the hallway. He was wearing a flashy red suit, and I couldn't help but ask, "Don't you hate red?"

"That was then, this is now. Reds in this year, and Im helping a buddy try on his wedding suit. Gotta look festive, right?" Mark rattled off a string of excuses.

But then it hit me: Lily Roberts adored red. And ever since shed returned from abroad, Marks closet had gained several red jackets, not to mention red underwear and socks.

It had all been there, clear as day, if Id only looked.

"Wedding suit? I can drive you." I offered, my voice flat.

"No, no, no!" Mark shook his head like a bobblehead doll. "Why would a woman get involved in us guys' business?"

"I'll bring back gifts for you and Finn when I return." He leaned in, kissed my forehead, and without another word, he was off, practically flying down the stairs.

A sharp pang went through my heart. I almost called out to him, but in the end, I just shook my head. Everyone thought Mark and I were the perfect couple, a dream team in business. He never looked down on my humble background, choosing to marry me without hesitation. I worked practically non-stop, pulling Sterling Holdings back from the brink of bankruptcy countless times. They called me "The Workaholic."

Ten years of growing together, we not only had a wonderful son but also rebuilt Sterling Holdings into a powerhouse.

But now, even I was just realizing that Mark had always harbored a secret love for Lily Roberts.

I walked back into the house.

"Mommy."

Finn ran over, hugging my legs tight. "No matter what, you'll never leave Dad and me, right?" He seemed to sense something, his small face etched with worry and fear.

My heart ached. I knelt down, stroking his head, and asked softly, "If one day, Dad and I go our separate ways, who would you want to live with?"

2.

Finn froze, tears welling up in his eyes.

"I'm sorry." I hugged Finn tightly. "Mommy's going to make you dinner."

Finn was only eight. Adult matters shouldn't burden a child. We could have hired a nanny, but both Finn and Mark loved my cooking. I remembered all their likes and dislikes, and tonight, I made Finn's favorite tomato scrambled eggs and lion's head meatballs. I also made egg pancakes.

When Finn saw the food on the table, he suddenly burst into tears. Looking up, he said, "Mommy."

"You know about Aunt Lily and Dad getting married, don't you?"

"Dad told me it was just a pretend wedding. Mommy, please don't be mad, okay? Dad loves you."

I sighed softly, pulling Finn into my arms. I knew. His little head couldn't comprehend all the twists and turns. He just innocently believed Mark and hoped that his mom and dad wouldn't separate. Unfortunately, the adult world wasn't that simple.

After dinner, I saw a post from Marks "best friend" on social media and raised an eyebrow. The photo of someone trying on a wedding suit didnt show a face, but that little red mole on the neck? Mark had one too. The picture of hands clasped with a woman, fingers intertwined, clearly showed the imprint of a ring on the ring finger. The watch the man was wearing? Id seen it before. It belonged to Lily Roberts.

The caption read: "The moon I missed will always return to light my way once more."

That line felt eerily familiar.

I rushed into Mark's study, moved his computer, and underneath, there was a notebook. The moment I opened it, that very sentence stared back at me. All the signs pointed to this account not belonging to some "best friend," but to Mark himself.

"A trip to Scandinavia."

"A fictitious wedding and social media account of a 'best friend'."

"Mark, you came up with these ridiculous schemes just to deceive me, all for Lily Roberts." I murmured to myself, picking up my phone and sending a message.

[Keep a partner slot open for me.]

[Also, have your lawyer draft a divorce agreement for me.]

A few months ago, my childhood friend invited me to start a business in Scandinavia, offering me 30% of the shares, with no capital required from my end. The other two partners were also on board, recognizing my capabilities. But with a husband and child, I just wanted stability and had consistently declined. Now, it was time to unleash myself.

It was almost midnight. Mark stumbled back, drunk. No gifts in his hand, but his shirt collar was wide open, and there was a faint lipstick stain. In short, he looked a mess.

"Wife, why aren't you asleep yet? Waiting for me, were you? You naughty woman, always messing with me." He grinned at me, then headed straight for the bathroom. Usually, hed give me a hug first. My heart sank at the thought.

Suddenly, I heard a choked sob and hurried to Finn's room.

"What's wrong? A nightmare?"

Finn shook his head, pointing his little finger at the phone screen. I looked down. It was a social media post from Lily Roberts' daughter, Sarah. Sarah was sitting at a pink piano, holding a tablet, smiling brightly. The caption: [Thank you, best dad in the world, for my limited edition custom piano.]

"Mommy."

"I've seen this piano, and the tablet, on Dad's computer."

2.

That one plaintive sentence almost shattered my emotional defenses. Finally, I understood why Finn was crying.

Normally, Mark always said, "Boys should be raised tough, so they don't become spendthrifts later." He was strict with Finn, rarely buying him any toys he wanted. Even this phone was my old one, passed down to Finn. I would also secretly take Finn out to play. Every time Mark found out, he would get angry with me. So, that's why he tried to bribe Finn with a toy car to keep him quiet. And today, before he left, he said hed bring back gifts for Finn and me, but he came home empty-handed.

Deceiving and cheating on me was one thing. But how could he dote so much on someone else's daughter, giving her everything she wanted, while being so harsh and deceitful with his own son?

"Sweetie."

"Mommy will buy you one later." I comforted Finn, tucked him into bed, then went back to the living room and sat on the sofa.

When Mark finally emerged, I suppressed my anger and asked, "Didn't you say you'd bring Finn a gift?"

"Forgot, forgot." Mark chuckled awkwardly, rushing over to hug me. "I'll buy him one next time. Boys should be raised tough anyway." As he spoke, he stroked my face. In the past, I had a visceral attraction to him, so his flirting would have overwhelmed me. Now, my heart was utterly still.

"I saw Sarah gets whatever she wants. Today she was sitting at a pink piano, beaming, with a tablet." I said, deliberately sarcastic.

Mark first stiffened, then exploded, standing up abruptly and frowning. "Why do you have to compare him to others?"

"It's just a gift! Why are you being so passive-aggressive? Are you deliberately looking for a fight?"

"Is it Finn who wants the gift, or you?"

I said nothing, just looked up and stared into his eyes. The atmosphere became tense for a moment. Mark seemed to feel guilty, avoiding my gaze, his tone softening considerably.

"Wife, let's not fight. The day after tomorrow, on Finn's birthday, I'll definitely prepare a big surprise for him!"

"You just keep your spirits up these two days and get ready for the Scandinavian trip."

I nodded, using the excuse of work to go to my study.

The next day, at the company meeting, Lily Roberts suddenly spoke up, "While Scarlett Stone is on vacation these few days, someone should take over her work, right?"

"I'm willing to volunteer." She smiled, her eyes fixed on me, laced with a challenge. Everyone was taken aback, turning to Mark, awaiting his response. It was only a seven-day vacation; Mark or his deputy could easily cover it. No one expected Lily Roberts to openly demand power. It was truly absurd.

"Do as Lily Roberts says." Mark took a deep breath, looking at me. "Scarlett, enjoy your vacation. Lily Roberts can handle the work; she's quite capable." The entire room fell silent. This time, everyone's gaze shifted to me.

"Scarlett Stone."

"You wouldn't think I'm trying to steal your position, would you?" Lily Roberts' smile grew even brighter, her tone more provocative. Everyone sensed the tension. In my ten years at Sterling Holdings, everyone knew I was decisive and not to be trifled with. Even Mark looked a little nervous.

But I simply smiled and said, "Alright, I agree." No one expected me to relinquish power so easily. Only Mark let out a long breath, a faint smile gracing his lips. Before she could say anything else, I stood up and walked out.

Mark quickly followed, grabbing my arm from behind.

"Wife!"

"Listen to me"

I turned and cut him off. "Listen to what? Are you going to say this meeting was specifically targeting me?" Let alone me, anyone with eyes could see Mark was paving the way for Lily Roberts using me. And it all started with that Scandinavian trip. His motives were so deeply hidden. I hadn't noticed it before.

"Wife, let me explain properly." Mark opened his arms and hugged me tightly, speaking earnestly. "Lily Roberts is talented. She can shine and inject new vitality into the company."

"I was forced to come up with this plan."

"When you return, I'll make you Vice President of the company. I hope you can understand me."

3.

Vice President? Don't make me laugh! Since Sterling Holdings was founded, there's never been a Vice President position! It was just like the gifts he'd constantly promised Finn, nothing but empty words.

"For ten years," I mused, hesitating for a few seconds, "I've always understood you, always been considerate of your difficulties."

"Yes, you're the best, wife!" Mark actually thought I wasn't angry anymore. After praising me, he turned and went back into the conference room.

As I packed up my office, Lily Roberts walked in. "I'm treating everyone to dinner tonight, want to come?" She smiled.

"No, thanks." I calmly refused, picking up my things to leave. From behind me, Lily Roberts' voice floated, "Ten years together? It doesn't compare to one glance from me that catches Mark's eye." This time, I could only remain silent.

In the afternoon, Lily Roberts sent a message to the executive group: [I got a promotion today, so I'm treating everyone to dinner.] Mark didn't object at all, instead he led the charge in responding, then sent me a message.

[Wife, don't overthink it.]

I didn't reply.

That evening, Mark, Lily Roberts, and the others were happily dining out. I was home, packing my bags.

"Mommy." Finn ran over, tugging my hand. "Mommy, are you leaving? Can you wait a few days?"

"Tomorrow's my birthday. Mommy said she'd give me a big surprise, and then I'll make a wish that you two never separate! That Dad won't marry Aunt Lily!"

"He'll definitely agree!" His little face was anxious, his words a jumbled mess.

"Okay," I nodded softly.

Mark didn't come home that night. Finn and I spent a sleepless night.

"Dad must be preparing a surprise for me!" Finn gazed out the window, speaking into the morning light. But an hour, two hours until darkness fell, Mark still hadn't returned. I couldn't resist calling him. "It's our son's birthday today. Where's the surprise you prepared?"

"Oh, uh it's in the bedside drawer, there are tickets to Scandinavia. Take Finn and go travel!" Mark chuckled. "I'm too busy today, gotta hang up." The call was abruptly ended.

I turned and retrieved the tickets from the bedside drawer. It turned out Finn had also become an obstacle for Mark to achieve his desires.

Almost simultaneously, Mark's "best friend" account posted on social media again.

[Engaged! Love her, give her everything she wants.] The accompanying image was a share transfer agreement.

I clenched my fists. For ten years, Id slaved away at Sterling Holdings, doing the work of ten departments single-handedly. From regulations to company development strategies, from partner negotiations to factory site selections, everything was meticulously planned and executed by me. Yet, I only earned a regular manager's salary! Now, all my efforts were being reaped by Lily Roberts, who had contributed nothing.

"Mommy."

"Dad's not coming, is he?" My son's crying voice reached me. I turned to see him trembling, clutching his phone, and on the screen, Lily Roberts' daughter, Sarah, had also posted.

[Thanks, Dad, for the handmade little cake!]

For a child, this was undoubtedly a devastating blow.

"Mommy."

"I don't want to stay here anymore. Take me with you, okay?" Finn wiped away his tears.

"Okay," I nodded tearfully, packed all our luggage, left the divorce agreement, and led Finn out of the house. We boarded the plane to Scandinavia.

Mark and Lily Roberts had their wedding, then spent a few days on their honeymoon. They didn't even come home, going straight back to the company for a regular meeting. He scanned the room, asking curiously, "Where's my wife? Why isn't she here?" Everyone shook their heads.

"She must be having too much fun." Mark muttered, stood up, walked out of the conference room, and dialed my number.

"Hello, wife!"

"You're never late for work normally. Why weren't you at the meeting today? Haven't you returned from Scandinavia yet?"