Below the stage, reporters bombarded us with rapid-fire questions. "Mr. Cadwell, I've heard that you and your wife are inseparable. What's your secret to such a great marriage?"
Sean smiled and looked at me affectionately. "Loving her is my lifelong love. Protecting her and giving her happiness is the secret."
I forced a stiff smile, playing along with his act.
When it was time for the onstage speech, I excused myself to retouch my makeup backstage. As I passed the dressing room, I faintly heard Sean's voice coming from a corner.
"Babe, did you get the black cat outfit I bought for you? Put it on later. I'll come to you as soon as the event is over."
"Okay. Wait for me, Babe."
The intimacy in his tone hit me like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing my remaining love.
I turned to look, only to see Sean's back. His phone screen was lit up and the chat avatar showed it was his secretary, Yelena Jacob. My blood pressure spiked as I slammed my makeup compact shut.
Sean turned and saw me, his expression filled with alarm. He stammered in explanation, "Honey, don't misunderstand. I just talked to the orphanage director about visiting the kids after the press conference."
I sneered at him. "Really? Is 'babe' how you address the director now?"
The air grew thick with tension. The staff around us began stealing glances, making the atmosphere unbearably awkward. In the end, I used the excuse of not feeling well and left on my own.
I had yet to go far when Sean pulled up in his car. He handed me a huge bunch of roses from the backseat. "Honey, I'm so sorry. I messed up and said something stupid. This is my apology gift. Please forgive me just this once."
Ignoring my protests, Sean jumped out of the car and shoved me into the backseat. I turned away, not bothering to call him out on his flimsy excuse.
Just as I was about to reach home, my phone was flooded with messages.
"Don't fool yourself into thinking he loves you just because he picked you. He and the child are the ones who truly matter to him."
"We've been having an affair for three years. You should know how long it's been since he touched you, right?"
"He said you're boring in bed—nothing like me. I drive him wild."
"You have no idea, but we've been renting a hotel room near the company for ages and he comes to see me almost every day after work."
The last message came with a drawer full of condom pictures.