on seduction

For Nanette Wood, three years of marriage to Sterling Hanson felt like a cruel and heartless affair. Sterling treated her like trash. He hated her and often humiliated her, all while having a devoted confidante by his side. He completely forgot that he had once devoted himself to her. Nanette endured it all for love. She waited for three years, only for him to loathe her deeply instead of coming back to her. She accepted that some relationships were destined to be fleeting. Just when she had resolved to sign the divorce papers and break free from her cage, that heartless man clung to her. "Nanette, I've only ever wanted you in this life. I loved you for ten years. You can't just shake me off." Nanette scoffed. "Mr. Hanson, can't you have a bit more class? If you're going to lie, you should at least try not to make it so obvious." With reddened eyes and a quivering voice, Sterling insisted, "I'm not lying. It's been ten years, and my feelings for you have never changed."

I have to admit that my husband's true love is a charming and charismatic woman. After she returns to the country, my husband, who always says he knows nothing about being romantic, racks his brains to think of ways to please her. Even my son wants her to be his mother—he says it to my face, too. To my husband and son, I'm only worthy of cooking and cleaning for them. Later, an autistic little girl tugs on my shirt and says firmly, "Zach might not want his mommy, but I do!" It's only then that I realize flowers can bloom in parched land. When I'm finally living the life I want, my ex-husband and son come to me, telling me they regret their actions… My ex-husband calls and says Zach misses me. I answer, "I'm not his mother anymore." Then, he says he's made a mistake—he's realized that I'm the one he loves. The man beside me kisses the back of my hand, sounding jealous as he says, "Do you think you deserve to be with her when I've yet to win her heart?"