1

Avery Thompson

As I entered the company, my heart raced with anxiety. My mother is dying and I urgently need money for her surgery. I can't bear the thought of losing her like I lost my father years ago.

Three days ago, when I visited her house, I saw her lifeless body on the floor. She was rushed to the hospital, where the doctor confirmed that she has been diagnosed with cancer.

Fortunately, it is still in the early stages, and the doctor advised me to pay a deposit of half a million as soon as possible for her surgery so that treatment can begin immediately. Otherwise, her condition will worsen.

I tried to raise the money on my own, but I couldn't. Despite being married to the wealthiest businessman in the country, there is nothing enjoyable about him. Benjamin Williams, he is a young and talented man who is admired by every girl in the country, including myself as his wife. However, that is just it.

With no other options, I rushed to my boss's office, who is also my husband. A heavy sigh escaped my lip. I have never done this before since we got married. Even though he is rich and can afford anything in the world, I have never asked him for anything. He controls all of his late father's wealth, including his personal assets before his father's death. Meanwhile, I am still just a secretary to him.

Upon reaching his office, I knocked on the door and without waiting for a response, I walked in. My sole focus was finding a way to save my mother, who is gravely ill.

"Ben, I nee-" I trailed off, completely stunned by the sight before me.

I had just stumbled on my husband with another woman in his embrace, both of them half naked on the couch.

This was no ordinary woman; it was Amelia, the sole heiress of Mr. Arnaldo Johnson, the chairman of CITYGROUP LTD.

"B... Ben?!!!" I cried out in shock.

No. 

This cannot be happening - I repeated to myself mentally as tears welled up in my eyes. I looked back and forth between my husband and the woman he was betraying me with, shaking my head in disbelief.

I desperately tried to deny what I had just witnessed, but it was the harsh reality. I couldn't believe that he would cheat on me. I knew he didn't love me as much as I loved him, but to think that I meant nothing to him was unbearable.

He had never truly cared for me, as I was a girl forced upon him by his father. Our marriage had been arranged three years ago by his father, who used to be my boss and my late father's closest friend before his passing. To Ben, I was nothing more than a nanny to his daughter.

Yes, he had a girlfriend who had given birth to their beautiful daughter, Stanley. Unfortunately, she had passed away shortly after childbirth.

Stanley was like my own flesh and blood. I loved her with all my heart and would do anything for her. I had cared for her since she was just a month old, so I saw her as my own child.

"What... What do you think you're doing?!" I exclaimed in anger. I clenched my hand into a fist, attempting to control my temper, although my eyes were filled with nothing but anger.

He didn't respond to me, nor did he seem bothered by the fact that I had just caught him with another woman. I watched as he stood up from the couch to pick up his shirt from the floor.

"And who gave you permission to walk in here, bitch?!" Amelia snapped, while I continued to glare at Ben.

I turned to look at her, my lip twisting in a scoff. "What?!" I furrowed my brow at her. "You have the audacity to ask who let me in when you're busy sleeping with a married man?!" I burst out again. My face was already red from anger - I could tell.

"Shut the hell up, Avery. What gave you the right to raise your voice in my office? Always remember to know your place, you're nothing but an ordinary staff - my secretary. If you still love your job, do not upset me else, you'll be fired!" I heard Ben say without any remorse in his tone.

"Wh... What?" I stuttered as I stared at him in shock. There was no remorse in his eyes or his voice.

How could he do this to me?

"I'm still amaze on how you dare barge into my office without my permission? You still seem to forget that I'm still your boss, no matter what. Now, get out and knock properly. Wait until I tell you to come in before doing that," he ordered.

"You... you're... Please tell me you're joking?" I stammered.

"Do you think this is a joke? He told you to leave. Just do it without arguing. Get out! OUT!!" Amelia commanded.

I was shocked, my eyes widening in disbelief. I looked at Ben, who raised an eyebrow at me, then nodded towards the door, silently telling me to leave. I wanted to defy him, to slap both him and this crazy girl in front of me, to leave a mark on her, but I couldn't risk losing my job. I had responsibilities, taking care of my mother and other expenses.

Despite being married to the wealthiest man in the country, I always had to figure things out on my own. He never supported me or showed any concern for my well-being.

With tears streaming down my face, I slowly walked out of the room. My legs trembling, not in fear but in anger. The scene I had just witnessed was hard to erase from my mind. I knew he didn't like me, but I never imagined he would cheat on me.

After waiting a few seconds to compose myself, I knocked on the door, this time with more force. However, there was no response from inside. I clenched my fist and banged on the door again, only to hear Amelia's mocking voice shouting, "Come in, bitch!"

I turned the doorknob and entered the room slowly. My legs were trembling, but I tried my best to hide it. Ben was already dressed and sitting next to Amelia. There was no remorse on his face.

"Tell me, Ms. Thompson, what brought you to my boyfriend's office?" Amelia asked, a wicked grin on her face.

Boyfriend?!!!

I glared at her, my hand clenched into a fist. "I'm not here because of you. Can you please stay out of this?" I replied, my teeth gritted.

"In that case, I don't think you're ready to solve whatever problem brought you here. Leave my office now and only come back when I ask for you," Ben said to me in a bossy tone.

"Ben, please..." I began, my voice was hard but I stopped myself, trying to control my anger. "Please, this is a matter of life and death. I need to talk to you urgently. Just you and me, privately," I pleaded, desperation evident in my eyes.

"Babe, can you leave for now? I'll come to your place later in the day," he said to her. As I heard those words, my anger flared up again, but unfortunately, there was nothing I could do. My priority right now is my mother. I need to save her at all costs.

"What?! Why should I leave?" she whined.

"I understand. That's why I'm asking. Please, just try to understand the situation," he pleaded with her, leaning closer and stealing a kiss.

My heart ached in pain. He had never looked at me with such affectionate eyes. All I ever received from him was complaints and anger.

"Okay," she said as she stood up and grabbed her bag. Giving me one final intense glare, she exited the room, leaving Ben and me alone. I observed as he arrogantly made his way to his chair and sat down.

"So, what do you want to talk to me about, Ms. Thompson?" he asked in a monotone voice.

I can't believe he would do this to me. Despite all the terrible things he has done to me in the past, this is the worst of it all. It was known to everyone that I am his secretary, but even with my low status, I excelled at my job. I studied Economics and am skilled in business strategies. I did a great job of stabilizing the company while Amelia took credit for it.

I should have known something was going on between them.

I approached him and said, "I need your help. Please, lend me some money. I promise to pay it back as soon as I can," I pleaded desperately.

He stared at me for a moment and then burst into laughter. This is the first time in our three years of marriage that I have seen him laugh because of something I said.

Confused, I furrowed my brow.

What's wrong with him? Did I say something funny?- I wondered. 

Before I could say anything else, he beat me to it.

"You want me to do what? Lend you my money?! Tell me you're joking," he said, chuckling.

"No, I'm not! I desperately need this money. I will repay you, please," I pleaded once again, filled with desperation. This is the only option I have. In order to save my mother, I am willing to put aside my pride before him. He is the sole person who can rescue my mom.

"You claim you will return my money? And how do you intend to do that?" He questioned me, with a mocking tone.

"Please, Ben, this is not the time to mock me. MY MOM IS DYING!" I exclaimed, tears finally streaming down my face.

He gazed at me for a few moments, and then let out a sigh. Believing that he would finally show some humanity and assist me, I was ready to express my gratitude even before he handed me the money. However, I heard him say, "I have no interest in knowing what is wrong with your mother. My money is strictly for business purposes, not for taking care of people," he stated, without even sparing me a glance, devoid of any emotion in his voice.

"W... What?!!!"

"You heard me correctly. I cannot do what you asked."

"Ben, please, you can despise me as much as you want. Do whatever you please, but please, just save my mom. She is the only family I have left... PLEASE!" I pleaded, and in a swift motion, I found myself kneeling before him.

I simply need to save my mother. I am willing to endure anything for her sake.

Suddenly, he rose from his seat, got an envelope from his desk, and stood in front of me. "Alright! You want me to help you? I will, but only under one condition," he uttered, staring deeply into my eyes.

"A... Condition? What condition is that?" I stammered.

"Take this," he tossed the envelope towards me.

"What is this?" I asked, my face displaying a mix of confusion and surprise.

"These are the papers for our divorce. Sign them and I'll hand over the money to you."

"What?!!!"