My Husband Chose His Mistress, I Chose His Rival

Five months into my pregnancy, I was still working.

Just before signing a major contract, the new intern, Amber, handed me a cup of almond tea.

I have a severe almond allergy. I went into anaphylactic shock on the spot.

When I woke up, I had lost the $30 million contract and the baby I was carrying.

I never imagined my husband, Damien, the CEO, would only fine the intern $300, then turn to fire me:

Celeste, Amber didnt mean it. Ive already fined her $300. Youve had a miscarriage, youre not fit for work. Go home and recover.

Is our child only worth $300?

I sneered.

Then I noticed two fresh scratch marks on Damiens backside, and it all clicked.

The moment he closed the bathroom door, I called his biggest rival, Devin.

When we first started the company, we were dirt poor. I worked myself so hard back then, doctors told me it would be difficult for me to conceive.

Thats why I was so careful after I got pregnant.

I had planned to take maternity leave right after this $30 million deal was signed.

But I never expected to miscarry.

I remembered telling everyone at a company gathering about my almond allergy. Amber was there.

But now, with tears in her eyes, she claimed:

I truly had no idea you were allergic to almonds.

Damien shielded her behind him.

You cant blame her entirely. Couldnt you tell if there were almonds in the tea yourself? A $300 fine is enough.

Amber continued to sob:

Celeste, you have such a rich husband in Damien. $300 might be nothing to you. But for me, its a box of my fathers medicine. I have to work three days to save that much.

With that, Amber burst into tears and ran out.

My husband, of course, chased after her.

I stood in the office, a bitter smile on my face.

I had taken pity on her during her interview and hired her, never imagining I had fostered a viper who was now sinking its fangs into me.

Just then, my phone chimed.

It was a SnapChat video from Amber.

The screen showed Damien tenderly kissing away her tears.

Its just $300, dont cry. Ill transfer three million to you later, okay?

Amber, eyes red, playfully punched his chest.

No! What do you mean by five million? Is this payment for making me your mistress? Im not that cheap; I dont want to be a mistress

Damien grabbed her hands, tossing her onto the bed before telling her:

Youre not a mistress. Youre my lover.

The screen then went black, leaving only their muffled moans.

A sharp pang shot through my heart.

Amber was his lover? What did that make me, his wife whod stood by him for seven years, building his company from the ground up?

When we first got married, Damiens engagement ring was an aluminum can tab. He knelt, promising me:

Celeste, Ill love and protect you for life. Once Im rich, Ill buy you the most beautiful ring.

Now, he was successful, but his vows were long forgotten.

I choked back my tears, drafted the divorce papers, and signed them.

After being discharged from the hospital, I drove back to the office to pack my things and process my resignation.

In my drawer, I kept a bracelet my mother wore, the only memento she left me.

I pushed open the door, only to find Amber sitting happily at my desk, applying makeupeven using *my* cosmetics!

Seeing me, she sneered:

Damien said this office is mine now. Some old women are just useless, cant hold onto a baby, a man, or a job.

Her words stung, my eyes reddening. I reached out to slap her, but a large hand grabbed mine.

Amber immediately pouted, tears streaming down her face.

Damien, Celeste told me to get out, said I made her seat dirty.

Damien stepped in front of her, explaining:

Youre going home anyway. Just let her have this office. Perfect, itll make her work hard to make up for the losses you caused last time.

I let out a cold laugh. Was this a punishment or a reward?

Amber was just an intern; she had no e-commerce experience, let alone live streaming.

How could she possibly take over my position?

But I was too tired to argue. I just wanted to leave quickly.

As soon as I opened the drawer, my mother's necklace was gone.

I asked Amber:

Where did you put the jewelry box that was in here?

She spoke dismissively:

Oh, that old box? I threw it away. Its probably at the dump by now. Looked like it was only worth ten bucks, Ill pay you back.

I slapped her directly across the face:

That was my mothers only memento! No amount of money can ever replace it!

I was the one heartbroken, yet Amber ran off crying, covering her face.

Its your fault for not keeping it safe, and now youre blaming me? I bet you just want to drive me away. I have to pay for my dads medical bills, and you just want me to lose this job. Youre trying to kill me! Ill just go kill myself now!

Amber rushed out crying. Damiens brow furrowed, and he instinctively started to follow her.

Trembling, I called out to him from behind:

You can go after her, but sign my resignation letter first.

But he didnt stop, just glanced at me coldly.

Celeste, when did you become so petty? Are you really going to force Amber to her death? Its just a bracelet. Ill buy you a better one.

With that, Damien walked out without hesitation.

I tightly clutched my resignation application and went to HR. The employee in charge looked troubled.

Celeste, without Mr. Damiens signature, your resignation wont be effective unless you pay the penalty for breach of contract.

I didnt hesitate. I immediately called Sterling Corporation, his rival company:

Youve been trying to poach me, havent you? Ill participate in the live selling competition for you in three days. But you have to pay my termination fee.

After I hung up, Damien had already coaxed Amber back.

The termination fee from Sterling Corporation was due in three days, and then I could leave. I ignored them both, quietly returning to my office to pack my things.

But no sooner had I sat down than Amber strutted in, her head held high, sweeping my belongings directly off the desk.

Celeste, Im the streamer now, and Damien said this office belongs to me too. Youre just a junior employee in charge of samples, your spot is over there.

I followed her pointed finger. Beside the trash can was a new workstation, its desk so narrow it was hard to even rest a hand on it.

Amber leaned in close to my ear, her voice dripping with provocation:

Damien said you were old and ugly, unlike me, young and beautiful. He wants to look at *me* more, to 'cleanse his eyes' of you.

I looked through the glass partition at Damien, my nails digging deep into my palms, yet I felt no pain.

He had once specially designed these two unique offices, separated only by a transparent glass wall, just so he could glance at me more during work.

He used to say I was his motivation to strive harder. Now, he was making me give even this up to someone else.

I tilted my head back, refusing to let the tears fall, and uncharacteristically, didnt object. I silently walked out.

Damien, watching from next door, frowned deeply.

He knew perfectly well how much I loved this office, how Id lean on the desk and watch him after every stream.

He had been prepared for me to throw a fit, but my quiet acceptance filled him with a sudden panic.

For the first time during working hours, he approached me, explaining:

Im just doing this to supervise her work, to help her pay back the $30 million as quickly as possible. Thats why I let her temporarily move into your office. Once she pays it back, Ill make her move out. Celeste, I know youre upset about losing the baby. How about I take you shopping to get your mind off things?

Thinking about the jewelry I still needed for the awards ceremony tomorrow, I didnt refuse. I got into his Maybach, treating it as a convenient ride.

Soon, I spotted a beautiful sapphire necklace.

To my surprise, the sales associate approached me, looking apologetic, to say it had already been purchased. Disappointed, I settled for another one.

But as I scrolled through my Ins feed in the car, I saw Ambers latest post. The picture was none other than the sapphire necklace I had just admired, with the caption:

Damien has such good taste! Ill wear this to meet our new business partners later.

Before I could react, the passenger door opened, revealing a meticulously dressed Amber.

Damien glanced at me, stating matter-of-factly:

Youre Ambers assistant now. Sit in the back. Were going to meet the partners together.

So, his initiative was just to have me help Amber pick out a necklace.

I forced a bitter smile and moved to the back seat.

Then, I watched Amber expertly pull a compact from the car pocket to touch up her makeup. Inside, I vaguely glimpsed an opened box of condoms.

I looked away, my heart numb. I thought I couldnt feel pain anymore, but then, in the private dining room, Amber gave a coy smile as a business partner raised a glass to her.

Oh, I cant drink right now.

The partner curiously asked, Why not?

She placed a hand on her stomach, revealing a diamond bracelet on her wrist, and looked directly at Damien, making no effort to hide it.

Because Im pregnant, and my husband bought me this diamond bracelet especially.

Seeing that bracelet, I let out a cold laugh.

He had promised me an engagement ring, a bracelet C hed bought me nothing.

Now, he was so generous with his lover.

No wonder he wasn't sad when I miscarried. They already had a baby together.

Ambers face was alight with smug triumph as she watched my pale complexion, but she still wasnt done with me.

Even though I cant drink, Celeste can. Why dont you let her drink on my behalf? Damien, what do you say?