Chapter Three — The Truth About Our Marriage
Bradley’s mother smiled as though she had finally won.
But I wasn't looking at her.
I was looking at my husband.
“What did you do?”
Bradley didn't answer immediately.
His mother folded her arms.
“Tell her.”
“Mom, please.”
“No. You have hidden behind me for long enough.”
I felt my stomach twist.
“What is she talking about?”
Bradley walked toward me.
“Before we met, my mother and I had a terrible argument.”
“That doesn't explain anything.”
“I left home.”
His eyes filled with regret.
“I was going to leave everything behind. The company. The money. Her expectations.”
I listened silently.
“Then I met you.”
My heart ached despite everything.
“You changed me, Stacy. I wanted a normal life. I wanted a family that belonged to me.”
“Then why did you keep choosing her?”
He looked down.
“Because she threatened to destroy everything.”
His mother scoffed.
“I never threatened you.”
“You told me you'd make sure Stacy never had anything if I didn't obey you.”
Her expression hardened.
“That was years ago.”
I stepped back.
“So you married me while being trapped by your mother?”
“No.”
Bradley came closer.
“I married you because I loved you.”
“Loved?”
The word caught in my throat.
He immediately shook his head.
“Love. I still love you.”
I wanted to believe him.
God, I wanted to.
Then his mother spoke.
“You're forgetting the most important part.”
Bradley turned toward her.
“Mom, don't.”
She looked at me.
“Your husband didn't just sign a business agreement.”
She pulled another paper from her handbag.
“He signed an agreement promising that if your marriage ever became a threat to the family company, he would divorce you.”
My knees nearly buckled.
I looked at Bradley.
“Did you sign this?”
His silence was enough.
I felt something inside me break.
“So every time you chose your mother…”
“It wasn't because I didn't love you.”
“But you still chose her.”
He reached for my hand.
I pulled away.
“Don't.”
He froze.
I grabbed my bag.
“Where are you going?”
“Somewhere I don't have to compete for my husband's love.”
I walked toward the door.
Then Bradley said something that made me stop.
“Stacy, wait.”
I turned.
He was crying.
“My mother isn't the only person who has been lying to you.”
My heart stopped.
“What does that mean?”
Bradley reached into his pocket and pulled out a small envelope.
“I found this yesterday.”
He handed it to me.
My name was written across the front.
And beneath it were four words:
From the woman who raised you.
