Rise of the Invisible Wife

Morning light filtered through the heavy curtains, casting a narrow beam across the marital bed. I reached out to straighten the bedding, and my fingertips suddenly brushed against a piece of silky fabric—alien and sharp to the touch. It was a pink lace underwear, clearly not mine. My heart felt as if gripped by a cold hand, making even my breath catch and falter. This was not the first time. As Caleb Lewis's personal assistant, I managed his daily affairs; as his secretly married wife of ten years, I remained hidden in the shadows of his glamorous life. What I thought was mutual support through thick and thin was nothing but my own wishful thinking. The sound of the door lock turning echoed; Caleb Lewis had returned. He took off his coat, still cold from outside, casually threw it on the sofa, and asked with his usual detached tone, "Is breakfast ready?" I didn't move. I placed the underwear on the coffee table, my voice so calm that even I was surprised: "Whose is this?" Caleb's gaze swept over the coffee table. He knitted his brows slightly but showed no sign of panic. "Whose? It's probably something the cleaning staff forgot." "The cleaning staff would leave underwear on our marital bed?" I looked up at him, the disappointment in my eyes threatening to overflow. He frowned impatiently. "Emily Scott, what are you making a fuss about this time? I was out late yesterday for business engagements and don't have the energy to argue with you." "I haven't caused a scene." I stood up and looked him straight in the eyes. "Caleb Lewis, let's get a divorce." The air froze instantly. Caleb was stunned, as if he'd just heard something unbelievable. "What did you say?" "I said, divorce." I repeated each word with perfect clarity. "Emily Scott, don't be childish." His tone grew darker, "Isn't our life good now? What is it that you want that I haven't given you?" "What I want, you have never given me." I turned and walked toward the bedroom. "I will prepare the divorce agreement and leave it in the study."