Chapter 2

Six years ago, she broke her right leg.

Ferdinand told me she was a distant cousin and asked me to take good care of her.

During those days, loving him meant loving those around him. I willingly washed her underwear, made nutritious meals with variety every day, and served her for over half a month.

Before she left, worried that a young woman alone might not be safe, I even gave her five thousand dollars.

Five years ago when Christiana had a baby, three years ago when her child got sick—Ferdinand sent them both to me to take care of.

His reason? Her husband was gone, and single mothers have it hard.

So the child was his. It was all an excuse.

They'd been involved all along.

Then what was I? A caregiver or a nanny?

I clenched my fists, my nails digging painfully into my palms.

Ferdinand, what right do you have to treat me this way?

Tears slid from the corners of my eyes. I rushed forward regardless.

"Everyone move aside. I need to see Ferdinand."

The guard laughed mockingly.

"Are you crazy! Are mistresses this brazen now?"

"Someone get her out of here! Don't disturb Ferdinand and Christiana's good mood!"

With that, he was about to forcibly throw me out.

"What's going on?"

A sickeningly sweet voice came from inside.

Christiana wore an expensive gown, her figure graceful.

Seeing her, the guard immediately bowed and scraped.

"Director, why did we disturb you? This crazy woman says she's Ferdinand's wife. I was just about to throw her out!"

Christiana smiled brightly, waving her hand magnanimously.

"Oh, it's Doria. I know you've liked Ferdinand for a long time, but... but after all, today is the company's New Year party. It's not very appropriate for you to come cause trouble, is it?"

The guard frowned.

"Director, you know this person?"

Christiana spoke gently and generously.

"She's an acquaintance. The housekeeper from our hometown, specifically hired to take care of Ferdinand's parents."

Hearing this, everyone began talking, looking at me with contempt.

"So the housekeeper wants to climb the ladder! The real wife is standing right here! How shameless!"

"Girls these days don't study hard, just want shortcuts!"

My heart felt like it was being stabbed by millions of needles. I wanted to refute, but when even the marriage certificate was fake, what could I say?

Bitterness spread through my heart, but I had no words.

Christiana continued graciously.

"Everyone don't worry. I trust Ferdinand. He won't do anything to betray me."

With one casual sentence, she nailed me to the pillar of shame as the mistress.

Everyone fawned and flattered.

"Exactly! Ferdinand treasures you like a precious jewel! Not just anyone can insert themselves!"

"She doesn't weigh her own worth, thinking she can climb high branches. Pure delusion!"

Facing everyone's mockery, I held back the tears threatening to spill and asked calmly.

"Christiana, where's the money?"

"What?"

"I mean, the salary."

I raised my head, meeting her smug gaze, my tone calm.

"Since you say I'm the housekeeper, where's the salary? Seven years taking care of two elderly people—surely Ferdinand isn't too poor to pay?"

Hearing this, Christiana's face turned from green to white.

The next second, she suddenly smiled and came forward, grasping my hand, whispering.

"Doria, I advise you not to cause trouble."

"Otherwise, it'll only make Ferdinand hate you more."

Christiana completely revealed her true nature, her eyes full of undisguised provocation and smugness.

"He's the one who wronged me!"

I pushed her away without hesitation.

But before I even touched a hair on her head, Christiana screamed and stepped back, finally stumbling into Ferdinand's arms.

"Who dares touch my wife?"

The man was full of anger, about to settle accounts with me the next second.

The moment he saw my face, Ferdinand visibly panicked.

"Doria? How did you get here?"

I stubbornly raised my head, staring into his eyes and demanding.

"Ferdinand, you tell me, what am I? A housekeeper or a caregiver?"

"And what is Christiana to you? Your wife?"