His Bracelet Found On Another Woman

Start Reading

At dawn, I treated a female patient.

Sophia, 22. She had something stuck into her vagina.

The girl on the hospital bed looked a bit like me. Her skin was covered with whip marks, love bites, and some dried white fluid.

I sighed at how little she valued herself.

But when I removed the foreign object, I froze.

It was the bracelet I had bought for Ethan last year.

The name on it was engraved by my own hand.

The girl smiled at me. "Mrs. Parker, your husband says his life needs a little excitement."

Joanna POV

Two o'clock in the morning. I treated a female patient.

Sophia, 22. She had something stuck inside her.

This kind of situation was quite common.

The girl on the hospital bed was young and beautiful. Her skin was covered with whip marks, love bites, and other marks I couldn't identify.

She looked directly at me, without a trace of shyness or embarrassment.

I sighed to myself. Young people these days really don't value themselves.

I quickly refocused and got back to removing the object.

But the moment it landed in the tray, I froze.

It was the bracelet I had bought for Ethan last year.

It still showed his name, which I had engraved myself.

I instinctively glanced at Sophia. The girl was smiling at me.

My throat felt blocked by something.

Professional discipline forced me to finish the procedure, and then I rushed into the bathroom to dry heave.

Walking out of the operating room, I saw my husband, Ethan, who was supposed to be working overtime at the company.

The man's tall figure had lost its usual composure. His eyes were anxious, and he walked briskly past me without a sideways glance.

He didn't spare me even a single look.

I stood there, hearing something inside me snap.

Back in the duty room, I washed my hands for a full hour, as if punishing myself.

I didn't stop until my fingers were peeling and bleeding.

Today wasn't supposed to be my shift.

A colleague who was on duty got sick and switched with me, giving me the chance to witness this scene.

Ethan and I were college classmates.

Ethan was famous in the finance department, the wealthy heir to Parker Group, handsome, and good-natured too.

Yet he only had eyes for me.

I studied medicine. The coursework was heavy, and I often stayed in the library until closing.

Every night after closing, he would silently escort me back to my dorm without disturbing me.

When I was bedridden with a 104-degree fever, he was the one who carried me all the way to the hospital.

"Joanna, be with me."

Back then, I thought he must be the kind of person written about in novels.

After all, he was so outstanding.

After we got together, his family disapproved, thinking we weren't a good match. Ethan begged his parents, and we finally got married.

Three years after graduation, we married.

Four years into our marriage, he treated me very well.

When I came home from night shifts, there was always a light on at home, and a glass of warm milk on the table.

When I had my period, he would take care of me attentively and buy me painkillers.

When we made love, he was always gentle, and afterward he would ask if it hurt.

Once I quietly asked him if he wanted to try something different.

He pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead.

"Joanna, I can never be too careful with you."

Four years of marriage, and we'd barely fought.

Even these past two years, when Ethan took over the company and became increasingly busy, often not coming home all night, I never complained and supported him wholeheartedly.

In others' eyes, I was the enviable Mrs. Parker.

At colleague gatherings, everyone said I was lucky to have a good husband who adored me.

Until tonight, I too thought I was the luckiest woman in the world.

My phone vibrated.

An Ins friend request popped up. The profile picture was a young woman's silhouette. I recognized Sophia immediately.

I clicked accept.

She didn't say a word, just quietly sat in my friend list, waiting for me to come to her.

I opened her posts.

The earliest post was from two years ago.

This account had many posts, but they all shared one theme: Ethan.

I scrolled down.

How could I not recognize that hand holding a fork?

The man's wrist still wore the watch I gave him when we got married.

That sapphire necklace was from the same brand and series as the birthday gift Ethan gave me last year.

Except my birthday gift was a pair of earrings, worth less than one-tenth the price of the necklace.

Last month my car went in for maintenance. After my night shift, I was caught in a rainstorm. I called Ethan three times. He kept saying the company was busy and told me to catch a ride with a colleague.

Yet Sophia's post showed he was holding her at that trendy boutique hotel.

Tears blurred my face.

Sophia wrote in her post, "He says his marriage is too boring. He needs some color."

So to him, I was just a boring person.

I sat numbly in the duty room chair all night.

Just before dawn, I got off work.

When I got home, the house looked just as it had when I left yesterday.

Ethan hadn't come home all night.

At this moment, he was probably still holding that woman.

I stood at the door for a long time, laughing bitterly.

Our marriage had already rotted away.

Only I still thought he loved me.

I pulled out my phone and dialed my good friend's number.

My good friend Elena specialized in divorce cases.

"Joanna?"

"Elena, help me draft a divorce agreement."

Joanna POV

When I woke up, it was already evening.

Ethan hadn't come back all day.

I instinctively dialed Ethan's number. The phone rang for a long time before being answered.

"Joanna." Ethan's voice was low and controlled as always. "In a meeting. I'll be home later."

As soon as he finished speaking, a moan with a nasal quality could faintly be heard through the receiver.

"Ethan, gentler please, I can't take it anymore."

My fingertips instantly turned ice cold.

Ethan's tone showed no hint of panic. "Joanna, I have to get back to the meeting. I'll make your favorite foie gras tonight."

He hung up the phone. I opened Sophia's posts.

The post was published ten minutes ago:

"Ditched work with the boss. Best feeling ever."

The image showed a messy bed, tagged with a location. The hotel next to Ethan's company.

I closed my eyes. My chest felt like it was being pounded by a blunt instrument, over and over, making me feel suffocated and pained.

At eight o'clock, Ethan came home.

When he saw me in the living room, his eyes immediately lit up with a smile.

"Joanna, why didn't you turn on the lights?"

He glanced at the empty dining table, walked over and kissed my forehead. "Didn't cook today? Tired?"

I nodded.

Ethan immediately rolled up his sleeves and went into the kitchen.

I watched him put the bracelet on his wrist, skillfully washing and cutting vegetables. The bracelet swayed back and forth until I could barely breathe.

Half an hour later, Ethan finished cooking.

"Joanna, try these dishes." He placed the foie gras in front of me.

"Didn't you say you wanted foie gras? Eat more, you've lost weight recently."

As he spoke, he habitually replaced the glass of water in front of me with warm water.

I lowered my head to eat. Every bite was difficult to swallow.

When Ethan leaned over, he exposed an ambiguous red mark below his collarbone.

I bit down hard on my fork, forcing myself to swallow that bite of foie gras.

"Joanna, why so quiet?" Ethan noticed my silence and looked up at me.

"A bit tired."

"Then rest early." He said gently, "I'm not working overtime tonight. I'll keep you company."

I lowered my eyes, not responding.

I don't know how I managed to finish that meal.

After showering, I crawled into bed.

Before long, Ethan also finished washing up and came out. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, his hand covering my waist, slowly moving upward. "Joanna."

My whole body stiffened.

I saw the bracelet on his wrist again, and nausea instantly surged up my throat.

"Too tired today." I broke free from his embrace, turning my back to him. "I want to sleep early."

Ethan paused, but didn't force me.

A moment later, he sighed, pulled me closer into his arms, and whispered in my ear, "Okay, let's sleep."

He kissed the top of my head. His breathing quickly became even.

I kept my eyes open, staring at the ceiling.

I don't know how much time passed when a slight sound came from beside me.

I squinted and saw Ethan quietly walking toward the balcony.

The balcony door was ajar. Sounds came intermittently.

"Put your hand in. Let me hear."

"Don't stop."

A woman's suppressed panting and fragmented moans came through the phone.

"What do you call me?"

"Sound sluttier."

"Look in the mirror. See clearly what you look like."

Sophia's voice grew louder and louder, mixed with crying.

I curled up under the covers, my whole body ice cold.

"The bracelet?" Ethan's tone suddenly turned cold. "You dare touch my bracelet?"

"You want to end up in the ER again? Good thing my wife wasn't on duty last night, or I'd really punish you."

"Remember your place. Don't harass her."

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I rushed into the bathroom and dry heaved.

My stomach churned violently. I vomited until tears streamed down my face.

The balcony door was pushed open. Ethan quickly walked in, his expression tense.

"Joanna, what's wrong? Where don't you feel well?"

He reached out to help me. I dodged.

"Maybe ate too much at dinner." I wiped the corner of my mouth, trying to keep my voice calm.

Ethan frowned, his face full of guilt. "It's all my fault. Was the foie gras too greasy?"

He grabbed his jacket and headed out. "Wait here. I'll go buy you some lemon water."

The place he mentioned was far from our home.

He didn't hesitate and left directly.

I stood in the bathroom, looking at my pale reflection in the mirror.

Ethan, if you can still cross half the city in the middle of the night just to buy me a glass of lemon water.

Why can't you keep to the most basic bottom line?

You once said you despised men who cheated, said they were brainless animals.

But now, you've become one of them.

Joanna POV

Early the next morning, I got the drafted divorce agreement from Elena and went directly to Ethan's company.

After Ethan became CEO, everyone at the company recognized me as the CEO's wife.

In the past when I came, the receptionist, secretaries, and employees I encountered would all greet me warmly.

But today was different.

Several employees saw me from afar. Their expressions looked a bit strange. After greeting me, they quickly lowered their heads and walked away.

An uneasy feeling arose in my heart.

When I reached the top floor, the assistant wasn't at her desk.

The CEO's office door was ajar. Inside came sounds of suppressed panting, mixed with a man's low commands.

"Take it in. Deeper."

My whole body trembled, as if cold water had been poured over my head. I froze in place.

I hadn't expected that Ethan would dare bring someone to the company.

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open directly.

Ethan sat behind his desk. His shirt collar was disheveled, and his eyes were reddened.

Seeing someone enter without permission, his face first showed annoyance. When he looked up and saw it was me, his expression changed drastically.

"Joanna?" His voice was somewhat tense. "Why are you here?"

I scanned the room. I didn't see Sophia.

The corner of my mouth twitched. "What, I can't come to my husband's company?"

"Of course not." Ethan quickly composed himself, his tone resuming its usual warmth. "If you want to come, tell me in advance. I'll have the driver pick you up."

I stared at him.

He sat up straight, hands resting on the desktop, looking normal.

But his expression clearly showed he was enduring something.

I suppressed the churning in my stomach and the anger in my heart, placed the document on the desk as if nothing had happened, and said, "Next year's family insurance needs renewal. Need you to sign."

Ethan took the document. Just as he lowered his head to open the first page, he suddenly groaned and his expression changed.

He immediately pressed his lips together tightly.

I instantly understood.

Sophia was under the desk.

My nails dug deep into my palms, almost piercing the skin.

A wave of nausea surged up from my throat.

I clenched my fists, nails digging deep into my palms, barely suppressing the urge to explode on the spot.

But I didn't.

"Sign quickly. I have things to do." I just pushed the agreement forward.

Ethan bit down on his molars. The veins at his temple bulged.

He didn't dare look through it anymore. He flipped directly to the last page and quickly signed his name.

I took the agreement and turned to leave.

"Joanna." Ethan called out to me. Since he couldn't get up conveniently, he could only sit there. "Go wait in the conference room next door. Let me finish this document, and I'll take you to lunch."

I looked back at him for two seconds.

Ethan's eyes were terribly red, yet he still forced himself to maintain a nonchalant expression.

I suddenly smiled. "Okay."

In the conference room next door, I sat on the sofa.

Before long, the door was gently pushed open. Sophia walked in carrying a cup of coffee.

Her hair was slightly messy, her professional suit somewhat wrinkled, and water stains still remained at the corner of her mouth.

Seeing me, Sophia walked straight over, a proper smile on her face.

"What would you like to drink?"

I looked up, my gaze calmly sizing her up, my tone flat. "And you are?"

The smile on Sophia's face froze for an instant. Soon she softly lowered her eyes. "I'm Mr. Parker's new secretary. My name is Sophia."

Ethan walked in.

He had already tidied his clothes. His suit was immaculate, his hair combed, restored to his composed appearance.

Ethan glanced at Sophia with a warning look.

Then he walked up to me, his expression gentle. "Joanna, I'm here."

I looked at him deeply.

One second ago he had hidden his mistress under his desk, and the next second he could stand in front of me calling my name.

"How come I've never seen this secretary of yours?" I asked jokingly.

Ethan frowned, turned his head to look at Sophia, his tone turning cold. "She just started. Doesn't know the rules. I'll punish her."

Sophia immediately lowered her head. "It's my fault."

I looked at her obedient appearance and sneered inwardly.

I didn't know what method he would use to punish her.

Joanna POV

At noon, Ethan took me to the restaurant we frequented most.

Ethan ordered several dishes I liked and carefully instructed the waiter about how well-done the steak should be and what foods I couldn't eat.

I had no appetite and didn't eat much.

Seeing I wasn't happy, Ethan gently coaxed me to eat a few more bites.

We had only eaten halfway when the private room door was gently pushed open. A server wearing a mask walked in carrying a steak.

The server kept her head lowered, her cap pulled very low, but I recognized her at a glance.

It was Sophia.

Ethan obviously recognized her too. His expression immediately darkened.

He put down his utensils and immediately scolded, "We don't need you here. Get out."

Sophia stopped in her tracks. Her eyes instantly reddened.

She responded and turned to leave.

Before leaving, she couldn't help but steal a glance in Ethan's direction. Her aggrieved appearance looked quite pitiful.

I quietly watched all this, my heart feeling like it was being cut over and over by something.

Less than two minutes later, Ethan couldn't sit still. He put down his knife and fork. "Joanna, I'm going to the restroom."

I acknowledged, watching his figure disappear around the corner.

I knew he was going to find Sophia.

So Sophia wasn't just someone in his bed. She had also been arranged into his company as his secretary.

So Sophia's position in Ethan's heart had long surpassed being just a mistress in bed.

I fiercely pushed the tears back into my heart.

Ethan was gone for nearly ten minutes before returning, his face showing satisfaction, the corners of his mouth faintly curved upward.

After sitting down, Ethan remained absent-minded. He kept lowering his head to use his phone, a smile hanging at the corner of his mouth.

Watching his expression, the familiar nausea attacked me again.

I didn't want to lose composure in front of him, so I made an excuse, saying I needed to go out and return Elena's call.

Ethan was still busy fiddling with his phone. Without looking up, he just waved his hand. "Go ahead, Joanna."

I walked into the restroom. As soon as I pushed the door open, I heard a low buzzing sound from the adjacent stall, mixed with a woman's uncontrollable moaning.

I immediately froze in place. A wave of nausea surged up.

I hid in the adjacent stall and turned on my phone's recording function.

Soon, a man's voice came from the phone on speaker in the next stall. It was a voice message from Ethan.

The restroom was very quiet. I could hear everything he said clearly.

"Did you come?" Ethan's voice was low and husky.

The woman in the stall didn't dare make much sound. After a long while, she trembled and said "mm."

"Let me hear you. Don't hold it in. I want to hear."

The buzzing sound suddenly grew louder. The woman's panting became more rapid, broken moans escaping through her teeth.

"Don't stop. Understand? You can only stop when I tell you to."

"Ethan, I can't anymore..." Sophia's voice was already crying. "Please, turn it off..."

"Don't take it out. Who told you to make your own decisions?"

"You know the consequences of not being able to hold it."

It continued in the stall.

I staggered out of the restroom and leaned against the hallway wall, my whole body weak.

So while eating just now, Ethan had been remotely controlling this.

While he was talking to me gently, he was playing with another woman under the table.

This was his true face.

The man I had married for four years, the man who was so proper in front of me that he had to ask before even kissing me, was actually like this behind my back.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, suppressed all emotions, and returned to the private room.

"Elena wants to meet me this afternoon." I said quickly. "You don't need to drive me later."

Ethan didn't insist. He breathed a sigh of relief and gently instructed me, "Okay, I'll have the driver take you."

"No need. I'll take a cab."

He didn't insist further, just nodded. "Be careful on the road. Message me when you arrive. Use my card if you want to buy anything."

I nodded and quickly turned to leave.

Walking out of the restaurant, the sunlight hurt my eyes.

I raised my hand to shield my eyes, hailed a cab, and went straight to the visa center.

I had to leave. Get as far away as possible.

For the rest of my life, I never wanted to see Ethan again.

Joanna POV

After finishing the visa paperwork, I didn't go to work. I called the hospital to request leave and went home.

As expected, that evening Ethan sent a message saying the company had an urgent project to discuss, he wouldn't be coming home tonight, and told me to rest early.

I glanced at the message and tossed my phone aside.

I didn't care anymore.

I pulled out a cardboard box and started collecting my things from around the house bit by bit.

In the bottom drawer of the cupboard was a pair of couple's mugs.

Those were from our third year dating. I had seen them while shopping.

I happily brought them home. Ethan glanced at them and smiled helplessly. "Joanna, you're already working. Still playing with these childish things."

Later, I placed the pair of mugs in the most prominent position on the shelf, but Ethan never used them.

I used the pink mug until now. The rim was somewhat worn.

The blue one had never been used. It looked brand new.

I threw both mugs into the box.

On the bookshelf were our photo albums.

One per year, from dating to marriage, seven albums total.

I randomly opened one and happened to flip to our wedding day. Ethan rarely wore the light blue shirt I had picked out, his eyes curved in a smile.

That day, he held my hand tightly and whispered in my ear, "Joanna, I'll be good to you for a lifetime."

The album was thrown into the box.

In the vanity drawer was a pair of couple's rings.

Those were bought with my first month's salary.

I picked for a long time and chose a beautiful pair of silver rings.

I brought them home with such joy. Ethan really liked wearing them at first.

After he took over the company, he stopped wearing his. He said it affected his signing.

Later, only when I got angry would Ethan take it out and put it on to make me happy.

There was also the scarf I had knitted by hand for two months. It was Ethan's treasure. He wore it for several years.

But at some point, it became something he never used again.

There were also couple's shoes, couple's pajamas, keychains, and so on.

I took them out one by one and threw them into the box one by one.

I had no more tears. Being sad over these expired things wasn't worth it.

The box quickly filled up.

I sat next to the box, not knowing what I was thinking. After a long time, I leaned against the box and fell asleep.

Suddenly, I was awakened by a sound. Groggily lifting my head, I heard movement coming from the master bedroom.

My heart tightened. I quietly walked to the master bedroom door.

The door was ajar. The scene through the crack made me instantly freeze in place.

Ethan was pressing Sophia onto the bed. Their clothes were scattered on the floor.

"Darling." Ethan's voice was hoarse and low, carrying some playfulness. "You love excitement so much, you had to come play at my house."

Sophia tilted her head back, hooking her arm around his neck, smiling seductively. "Don't you like it? She's on night shift tonight anyway, not home."

A crisp slap sounded. Sophia cried out softly, but her face carried a smile.

"You'll change the sheets yourself later." Ethan leaned down, biting her earlobe. "If my wife finds out, I'll really punish you."

I thought I wouldn't be emotionally affected by these two people anymore, but my legs felt like they were filled with lead.

I hadn't expected these two people to keep disgusting me like this.

"Got it." Sophia responded in a low voice.

The bed started shaking rhythmically. Sophia's broken panting spilled from her lips.

My gaze fell on their wrists.

Both wore identical watches that looked particularly glaring under the light.

"I bought this especially for you. You're not allowed to take it off."

"Okay, I won't." Ethan agreed without thinking.

So it wasn't that he was unwilling to use all couple's items.

Sophia's watch overlapped with my bracelet like that, as if mocking me.

I closed my eyes, turned and quietly left the house, stayed at a hotel outside for the night, and didn't return until the next afternoon.

The house had already been cleaned spotlessly. No trace of last night remained.

Ethan was wearing an apron, cooking in the kitchen.

Seeing me come in, he immediately came over, a gentle smile on his face. "Joanna, you're back. You haven't had much appetite lately, so I specially made your favorite cream mushroom soup. Try it."

I didn't speak. My gaze fell directly on his wrist.

The bracelet was still there. That watch was still there too.

They were both filthy.

Ethan followed my line of sight, instinctively pulling his hand back, explaining with a smile, "All company employees have this. I'm the boss. I have to set an example."

He gently pressed me down onto a dining chair, personally ladled soup for me, and arranged the utensils.

I pulled at the corner of my mouth, thinking mockingly, who would have thought that the seemingly gentle Mr. Parker was actually that kind of person in private?

After eating, Ethan went to the study to handle business.

I also entered the study, moved out the box I had organized last night, and prepared to throw it away.

Ethan heard the noise and looked up. "Joanna, what's in there?"

"Some old things I don't need. They're just taking up space."

Ethan nodded and didn't ask further, lowering his head to continue reading his documents.

I carried the box out and threw it into the trash.

Those things that carried all my expectations and love were thrown away by my own hands.

Just like my marriage with Ethan.

I would never love him again.

Joanna POV

The next morning, Ethan and I were eating breakfast together.

My phone suddenly rang.

"Miss White, your visa has been approved. You can travel at any time."

Ethan's chopsticks immediately paused. He looked up sharply, his eyes suddenly tense. "What visa?"

I calmly put away my phone, my expression unchanged. "I'm planning to take my annual leave in a few days and go out to relax."

Hearing me say tourism, Ethan breathed a sigh of relief.

He put down his chopsticks, held my hand and said warmly, "Where does Joanna want to go? If the company isn't too busy, let's go together. We haven't traveled together in so long."

I just smiled faintly without answering.

I knew Ethan wouldn't go.

Ethan gripped my hand tightly. "Joanna, we'll definitely be together for a lifetime, right?"

I looked up at him and asked in return, "Why ask this suddenly? So insecure? Have you fallen in love with someone else?"

Ethan immediately shook his head, his eyes so resolute you couldn't find any flaws. "How could that be? You're the one I worked so hard to marry. How could I bear to make you sad?"

I stared into his eyes. "Then swear it."

Ethan froze for a moment. His Adam's apple bobbed. After a moment, he spoke, "I swear, if I betray Joanna, let me get cancer."

I sneered inwardly.

So men's vows were this cheap.

They could casually make vows, then turn around and trample all their promises underfoot.

In the morning, I went to the hospital and submitted my resignation letter to the director.

The director looked at the resignation letter, his brows tightly furrowed, trying to persuade me to stay. "You're one of the hospital's most talented doctors. In two more years you'll be promoted. You have a great future. Don't be impulsive."

"I've already made up my mind." My tone was calm. "I'll be leaving next week."

The director sighed. Knowing my mind was made up, he didn't try to keep me further. Shaking his head, he signed the report.

At noon, Ethan sent a message saying the company had a big project to discuss recently and he really couldn't spare the time, so he couldn't accompany me on the trip. He'd definitely make it up next time. He apologized and made promises, sending several voice messages.

I looked at those voice messages without even the interest to open them. I directly locked the screen.

I had known this would be the result all along.

Just as I was about to put down my phone, Sophia, who had added me as a friend but remained silent, suddenly sent me a message.

It was a medical report.

Ultrasound showed: intrauterine early pregnancy, 12 weeks + 3 days gestation.

I stared at that report, sneering inwardly.

Over three months.

So Ethan wasn't going on the trip not because the company was busy, but because Sophia was pregnant and he had to stay here to accompany her.

I tossed my phone aside and slumped in my chair.

I walked home, my mind repeatedly asking myself, how did my marriage become like this?

My love, my marriage, how did they fail so miserably?

In the evening, Ethan's parents called, saying they hadn't seen us in a long time and asked us to come home for dinner.

Ethan drove me back.

The Parker family was very wealthy, but my parents were ordinary people.

Normally, I could never have married Ethan.

But after his parents accepted me, they never held it over me. They treated me quite well.

At the dinner table, his mother served me food several times, asking if I'd been tired from work lately and whether I'd been eating properly.

I responded politely, but my heart felt heavy as stone.

Halfway through the meal, his mother finally revealed the real purpose of calling us back today.

"Joanna, you and Ethan have been married for four years. You should consider having a child."

His father nodded along. "Yes, we'd like to welcome a new family member too."

Ethan had always wanted children, but I was too busy with work and in the middle of my career advancement, so we'd never tried for a baby.

But in front of his parents, Ethan always took responsibility himself and never put me in a difficult position.

This time was no different. Ethan spoke gently, "Joanna and I are still young. We want to focus on our careers first. There's no rush for children."

But I suddenly put down my utensils and smiled. "Mom, Dad, soon. I used tarot cards to divine the future. Ethan will become a father this year."

At those words, his parents immediately lit up with joy.

"Really? That's wonderful!" His mother excitedly grabbed my hand. "Joanna, if you get pregnant, put work aside. Your health is more important."

Ethan suddenly looked up at me. The guilt and panic in his eyes were obvious.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but swallowed it back.

I smiled and responded to his parents, not sparing Ethan another glance.

I said Ethan would become a father, but I never said I'd be the one having the child.

The baby in Sophia's belly would call Ethan daddy too, wouldn't it?