Ten Years Bound by Love, Freed by Her Betrayal

On the tenth time, I found Eulalie Vargas in bed with another person; her response was not as strong as before.

She casually checked her watch and softly placed a jacket over her new lover in her arms.

Wasnt the prenatal checkup scheduled this afternoon? Why did you return so soon?

When I gave no reply, she pressed a kiss to the other mans face and calmly stepped between us.

The child is still small. If there is any anger, put it on me.

She thought I would act like before, out of control, causing a huge scene.

But what she did not realize was that the ten-year agreement from the past was about to end.

I would be free to leave her very soon.

On the marriage photo beside the bed, there were now two clear palm marks.

One on the left, one on the right, covering both my face and Eulalies.

It was simple to picture the position they had just shared.

I drew a slow breath and turned to face Eulalie.

Didnt we promise not to bring anyone home?

Do you even remember what date today is?

Eulalie smiled without care.

She easily lit a cigarette and blew the smoke toward my face.

I drank too much. How would I remember any of that?

However, her new lover in her arms was surprised.

While quickly pulling on his clothes, he stared at me with shaking eyes and said, Mr. Kennedy, I didnt plan this.

It was last night when

Seeing him stumble in fear, I stepped closer and calmly pulled up the zipper on the back of his clothes for him.

Its alright. You may leave.

I understand very clearly what kind of person Eulalie is.

This was not the first time this sort of thing had happened over the years.

Drinking too much, feeling upset.

Feeling bored, searching for fun.

Anything could turn into a reason for her cheating.

As for the person standing before me, forget being the third party; he did not even count as the eighteenth.

Why should I waste energy arguing with him?

The man rushed away in fear. I called Louise to clean up the room.

In a messy room, condoms were scattered across the floor.

Just more looks already made me feel sick.

I covered my nose and mouth and sprayed disinfectant.

Eulalie, however, used the moment to wrap my waist from behind.

Her soft head rubbed against me again and again.

Sweet husband, how did you become so well-behaved now?

Are you scared I wont come back, or did you finally learn how to be a proper live-in husband for a rich family?

She squeezed my cheek with satisfaction and laughed lightly. How pleasant this feels.

As long as you behave yourself, I will never let anyone take your place.

While speaking, Eulalie smoothly searched through a stack of gift boxes and pulled out a watch to place on my wrist.

This is your reward.

Alright, stop being upset now. I know today is our tenth wedding anniversary.

Wipe your tears. Ill take you out to celebrate.

She said it lightly.

But she did not know that across these ten years, my tears had already dried out.

I pulled away from Eulalies touch and gave her the divorce agreement I had already readied.

Eulalie, let us get a divorce.

Eulalie paused briefly, then laughed even harder. Stop playing games, Valerian.

You know it. We cannot get divorced.

She squeezed my face, her hand sliding across my body.

At last, it rested over my chest.

Go pack your things and come with me for the prenatal checkup.

Do not cause trouble for yourself.

Back then, to stay with Eulalie, I cut off contact with my family.

My father announced that I was never allowed to return to Vermont, never allowed to go back home.

To punish my stubborn behavior, he even relied on his contacts in Louisiana.

He tied me firmly to Eulalie.

No separation, no divorce.

In this lifetime, whether affection or hatred, we can only stay beside one another.

At that time, Eulalie knelt in front of me.

She promised she would love me for her whole life and said I would never regret my decision.

Yet in the second year after we married, she broke our vows.

Holding her lover in her arms, she faced me boldly and said, Yes, I was cheating. What can you do about it?

Valerian, you have nowhere else to go.

In this life, you can only stay bound to me!

I called my family, crying and saying I was sorry for my choice.

My father ended the call without warmth. My mother watched and stayed silent.

They said this was the path I chose, and even if I cried, I had to walk it until the end.

Because of that, knowing I would not leave, Eulalie grew prouder and more reckless.

Lovers came and left, and rumors spread everywhere.

Now, she even openly brought people to the house.

But what she did not know was that when I left before, my father and I set a ten-year agreement.

We made a wager about how long our love could last.

If I won, he would try his best to support our marriage.

If I lost, then I would return and accept a family-arranged wedding.

Because of Eulalie, this marriage, this wager, I lost everything, fully and completely.

While Eulalie was driving, I called that familiar number.

Dad, I lost.

A deal is a deal. In three days, I will go back to Vermont for the arranged wedding.

My father had never failed at a betting table.

Facing this expected result, he showed no surprise at all.

He only replied calmly and gave a few simple orders. Valerian, you are my oldest son. This family business will still be inherited by you.

What is over is over. I will not argue with you about it, but there is one thing you must keep in mind.

What should not be taken, do not take. What should not be left, do not leave.

What must not be taken was the baby growing inside Eulalie.

What must not be left behind was the wealth I had made for Eulalie.

These ten years of hurt were the warning he wanted me to keep in mind.

I get it, Dad.

After the call ended, Eulalie was already honking downstairs to rush me.

I climbed into the front seat marked with another mans name.

The whole ride, neither of us said a word.

She acted like she did not notice the space on my face.

I acted like I did not notice the strong perfume inside the car.

When we stepped out, Eulalie reached out by habit to steady me.

Her pushed-up sleeve showed a long blade mark.

For a short moment, I let out a quiet breath.

To stay with me, Eulalie had been stabbed eighteen times across her body, barely staying alive.

The person who once cared for me so deeply that she would risk her life, how did she turn into this person now?

Before I could think any more, a man suddenly walked up and hooked his arm around Eulalies.

Sister Eulalie, you havent come to see me for such a long while.

So why do you have time to show up today?

Did you argue with the man you keep at home, or is the new one no longer good enough for you?

It was Percy Craig.

The most spoiled one among Eulalies many lovers and also the one who had stayed with her for the longest time.

Percy acted sweet and clingy toward Eulalie, leaning against her and rubbing close again and again.

Eulalies face was full of smiles.

She ignored me standing nearby and, as if performing a trick, pulled out an old watch to amuse Percy.

What are you talking about? I might forget other people, but I would never forget my little darling.

Wasnt this meant just to make you smile? I even flew to Vermont to pick out a watch for you.

Alright, play on your own for a bit. I still need to go to my pregnancy check.

After I finish, Ill come back to look for you again.

After saying this, she still remembered to give Percy a tap on his butt.

Seeing that familiar watch, I almost burst out laughing.

A woman who climbed up from nothing truly plans every move carefully.

She bought a real one for her lover and still remembered to add a fake one for her husband.

The watch strap on my wrist burned, making my chest hurt.

I took it off without care and threw it into the bin.

When I turned around, I suddenly heard a few people nearby talking in low voices.

They were curious about the relationship among the three of us.

One of them wanted to step closer to listen, but stopped by a friend.

Are you out of your mind? Didnt you notice the man next to her?

Thats the Gambling Kings oldest boy.

The Gambling Kings oldest boy. I had not heard that name for a very long time.

Before I could say anything, Percy laughed first.

He looked at me with clear dislike and spoke with a mocking smile.

What Gambling Kings oldest boy? Hes just a useless loser who got thrown out by his own family and hangs onto the Vargas family, a worthless kept man who eats for free and does nothing.

The type I hate most is trash like this!

I am trash.

Then what did that make Eulalie, who made her money by leaning on me?

And what did that make Percy, who was being kept by Eulalie?

When did these two even get together?

Was it after my first car crash?

Was it when I drank until my stomach bled just to help Eulalie lock in a deal?

Or was it when Eulalie was chased by enemies, and I took a bullet for her, ending up badly hurt and unconscious?

It had been too long. I could not remember it clearly.

I only recall that while I was being hospitalized, Eulalie ended up with this young nurse.

The two of them acted like sparks hitting dry wood, loving each other until they lost all reason.

During those days, I often got messages sent by Percy.

I lay flat on the hospital bed, my face turned pale.

There was no one beside me.

Percy sprawled across the bed, his cheeks red.

In his arms lay my wife.

So many years went by, yet Percy remained too arrogant.

It was easy to see how much Eulalie had spoiled him.

But it did not matter anymore.

After I leave, they could be together openly.

What I must handle now was the burden on her belly.

I ignored the teasing couple and walked into the surgery room.

Doctor Eric already knew about Eulalies pregnancy.

Before he could even say his good wishes, I passed him the paper in my hand.

Please help me deal with this baby.

Doctor Eric stood still for a short moment.

After reading my reports, his face turned much heavier.

Mr. Kennedy, have you really thought about this clearly?

The baby seems very healthy, and you and your wife have waited many years to get pregnant. It was not easy to finally have a child

Eulalies first miscarriage happened when she was twenty years old.

At that time, we had just moved to Louisiana, and we were just poor.

Every day, we could only crowd into old, cheap rooms just to survive.

She felt I was too poor and could not give her the life she wanted, so she ended the pregnancy and wanted to separate from me.

To prove myself to her, I worked until I was exhausted, making money wherever I could and taking any job I found.

When my work finally started to improve, Eulalie offended a local boss and was taken away.

To save her, I spent every bit of money I had and was beaten until I landed in the hospital.

Back then, I was still young; if I had rested well, I could have healed fully.

But I could not stand seeing Eulalie suffer.

Even if it ruined my own body, I still chose to let her live a better life.

Just as I finally caught my breath, Eulalie started cheating once more.

I stayed busy catching her red-handed, busy dealing with the man around her.

Back and forth, it kept going on until today.

At the very start, Eulalie knelt beside my hospital bed and spoke to me, Valerian, I see everything you have done for me.

From now on, let me carry the burden you have been carrying and repay all the pain you went through.

Later, Eulalie took over my work. She held one arm around her lover and looked at me.

Valerian, I know everything you have done for me, but that belongs to the past.

I promise no man will ever take your place, and I can even give all the family assets to our child.

But you also need to be more reasonable and stop stepping into my personal matters.

Now, I looked at the two figures hugging each other outside the window.

I gave a dry smile and shook my head.

Prescribe me some lighter abortion pills.

I am going back to Vermont soon. Bringing a baby with me is not convenient.

Besides, Eulalie smokes, drinks, and lives a messy private life.

In this case, how could a child born from this ever be healthy?

My dad also built his wealth by depending on my mom.

After he was successful, mistresses one, two, three, four, and five showed up one after another, along with many children born outside marriage.

Exactly because of this, I wanted a sincere relationship.

But the first time she was caught in bed with someone else, Eulalie showed no guilt at all.

Instead, she spoke to me as if she were completely right, Valerian, why are you acting mad?

Your dad has more than one woman. What is wrong with me having fun outside once in a while?

Think about how your mom dealt with it.

You grew up seeing and hearing all of this. How is it that you still have not learned how to be a kept husband in a rich family?

She took my deepest pain and turned it into a tool to hurt me.

In that instant, I understood.

Our love had already come to an end.

But because of that agreement that lasted ten years, I could not leave Eulalie.

I could only watch helplessly as she openly crushed my pride and stepped on my feelings.

The wedding I risked my life to secure turned into a cage that trapped me.

The love that once felt carved into my body became Eulalies tool to wound me.

I had suffered enough from family and love.

Instead of letting this child live the same fate, I decided it was better to finish this broken marriage myself.

I swallowed the prescribed medication and dialed Eulalies number.

Even if we could not separate peacefully, we should at least leave one last bit of respect for each other.

The call connected.

But what came through, however, were their two intimate sounds.

My chest hurt for no reason.

I lifted my head and watched the city slowly fade into the dark, and I suddenly wondered. How did Eulalie and I end up this way?

Was it because of Percy? Or was it because of that incident?

It no longer mattered.

No matter why it happened, cheating and hurting me were clear truths.

I hailed a taxi, wanting to head back and pack my bags.

While I waited for the car, I spotted Eulalie at the crossing.

She and Percy were walking hand in hand along the busy road.

That sweet, flirty look made them seem like a couple deeply in love.

Percy softly touched Eulalies lower belly, his face full of affection.

Sister Elijah, were going to have a baby soon. When will you divorce that old guy?

I dont want my son calling someone else Dad!

Eulalie smiled.

She leaned into Percys arms and smiled in a gentle way.

Dont hurry for now. Valerian still doesnt know about this.

There are still some key company files in his hands.

After I take everything from him, then we can get ready for the divorce.

After that, Eulalie kept talking about many other things.

She spoke about their plans for the future.

She talked about the good life ahead.

She said she would do all she could to protect this baby and to let Percy live the best life possible.

Those words, mixed with the cold winter wind, pressed into my chest little by little, like slow torture.

In the end, Eulalie held Percys hand.

She placed the safety lock that I once begged for, step by step, kneeling and bowing, around his neck.

Ive already given our baby a name, Asher.

It means together again and whole, joy and satisfaction.

Asher Asher

So this baby was never mine.

So the small bit of love left behind was fake as well.

Back then, because of Eulalies words, I felt ashamed and couldnt eat or sleep.

To show how much I loved her, I pushed through deep snow, bowing and kneeling one step at a time to pray for her safety lock.

I promised I would succeed.

I promised I would give her a stable life.

That unborn baby was proof of our affection.

It was the reason that kept me moving forward.

But now, Eulalie gave this safety lock to someone else.

She repaid what she owed the baby and me by handing it to the other man and her illegitimate child.

I took a slow breath, trying to act like it didnt matter.

But Percy noticed me right away.

He laughed and said, Sister Eulalie, your kept man is here again to watch over you.

If you ask me, some people should stop trying so hard to get attention, okay?

He played with the safety lock, his face full of dislike.

If you cant please your own woman, dont blame others for stepping in first.

Instead of crying and causing trouble here, you might as well go home and think about what youll do when you get kicked out one day.

He was clearly trying to make me mad, wishing I would get into a loud fight with Eulalie.

But what he didnt understand was that I had already stopped caring.

Once morning arrived, I would leave Louisiana and leave Eulalie.

By then, someone would naturally come and deal with the child in her stomach.

I took one final look at Eulalie and spoke calmly, without feeling, Eulalie, you will regret this.

Because you forgot who it was that gave you everything you have.

Eulalie wanted to speak, but Percy stopped her.

She kept on looking, and in the end, she still didnt come after me.

She only left behind one sentence, Wait for me. Ill explain everything to you tomorrow.

There would be no tomorrow.

The moonlight spread like water, laying pale light across the ground.

Dragging my tired body, I walked alone toward the port.

During the last few hours, I paid the nanny her salary and asked her to sort out the old things that Eulalie and I once shared.

After that, I stayed by myself and waited for sunrise.

When the morning light appeared, a private jet stopped in front of me.

Eldest young master, I am here to take you back home.

As the plane passed over the city, everything from the past slowly faded away.

From that moment on, Eulalie and I, separated by different lands, would never meet again for the rest of our lives.

While she was sleeping, Eulalie was suddenly pulled out of bed.

As a bowl of abortion medicine was forced down her throat, the child she had waited for so long quickly became a pool of ruined flesh.

She stared in angry fear at the men dressed in black who had broken into the hotel.

Just as she was about to speak, a newspaper was thrown down in front of her.

Staring carefully, it clearly said, First son of the Gambling King enters marriage with the daughter of a shipping tycoon.

Many Vermont business owners announce withdrawal of funds and returning to Vermont; the Vargas Group is about to face a major loss.