My Husband Faked Infertility And Framed Me For Adultery

Ava Shaw glared at me defiantly.

You should know your place and leave Liam willingly. He loves me, not some barren old hag like you.

Ava was the scholarship student my husband, Liam Grant, had sponsored.

Six months ago, after graduation, Liam hired her as his assistant at the company.

Rumors had been swirling around the office for a while, but I trusted Liam.

I never expected Ava to confront me directly, demanding I step aside for her benefit.

It was ridiculous. She wasn't even worthy of being considered my rival.

I couldn't be bothered to respond to her taunts. I just dialed Liam's number directly.

"Come home. Now."

Hanging up, I turned back to Ava.

"Liam's on his way. Let him make the choice. If he picks you, I'm out. Deal?"

Ava sneered. "I gave you a chance to leave with some dignity, but you insist on humiliating yourself."

"Fine, wait for Liam. Just don't start crying when he gets here."

I just smiled in silence.

Half an hour later, Liam walked through the door.

Ava's voice dripped with sweetness.

"Liam, honey, she says if you choose me, she'll leave."

"Tell her. Tell her who you choose."

I met Liam's gaze with a calm smile. I trusted him. I knew what choice he'd make.

In matters like this, I had absolute confidence.

But the next second, Liam placed divorce papers in front of me.

"Sign these."

My smile froze.

It must have been the most awkward moment in my life.

I'd been so sure Liam would choose me without hesitation.

I'd arrogantly dismissed Ava as a mere child, unworthy of competing with me.

Reality slapped me hard across the face. I was made an ugly, ridiculous clown.

Looking at the divorce papers Liam had set before me, a stone seemed to lodge in my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Eight years of dating, five years of marriage C thirteen years of my life vanishing into thin air.

I didn't scream. I didn't plan to.

Quickly steadying myself, I silently picked up the papers.

Yet the fragile calm I'd mustered shattered again as I read the terms.

"Leave with nothing?"

I put the papers down and stared at Liam.

"You think it's reasonable for me to walk away with nothing? After you betrayed me?"

My voice rose involuntarily.

"You cheat, and then you try to steal everything?"

"Liam Grant, do you really think I'm that weak? That easy to bully?"

Ava sneered triumphantly at me.

"What? All these years, you've lived off Liam, eaten his food, spent his money."

"Now you want a cut in the divorce? Have you no shame?"

"Who asked you?" I shot Ava a harsh look.

"Liam, honey, she's being mean to me! Make her sign those papers and get out!"

Liam gently stroked her cheek C a tender gesture he used to reserve for me.

Now, it made me sick.

He murmured soothing words to Ava before turning his cold gaze back at me.

"Ava's blunt, but she's right."

"I won't even ask you to repay what I've spent on you over the years."

"Sign the papers, and we're done."

Bullshit.

I locked eyes with Liam, searching for any trace of remorse. There was none.

His coldness chilled me to the bone. I forced myself to stay calm.

"Look me in the eye and say that again. With a shred of decency."

Liam didn't hesitate. "We're done. Sign."

I snatched the divorce papers, crumpled them into a ball, and hurled them at his face.

"The divorce is happening. But you're the one leaving with nothing! My lawyer will be in touch."

I stood up to leave, refusing to look at that bastard couple for another second.

I would've given Liam a chance.

Even a fair split of assets, for the sake of all those years, I might have accepted.

But he'd pushed me too far.

The marriage could end. He wouldn't get a dime.

"Liam, what on earth is going on here?" Just as I was about to leave, a figure rushed in.

It was my mother-in-law, Helen.

She grabbed my hand firmly, pulling me back to the sofa.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll handle this."

Helen's health wasn't great.

Though I must divorce that bastard Liam, I also had to consider Helen's feelings.

I sat back down. Helen poured me a cup of tea.

"Sweetheart, trust me. I won't let Liam divorce you."

She turned her stern gaze on Liam and Ava.

"What did I tell you both?"

"Liam, have you forgotten who took care of me these past three years while I was sick?"

"It was Lily! She wore herself out looking after me. Have you forgotten that?"

"The doctors said it was only because of Lily's excellent care that I recovered."

I hadn't cried when Liam chose Ava, but Helen's words brought unwanted tears to my eyes.

"Mom, what about the baby? How do we register it?" Liam asked Helen.

Baby?

I frowned. Ava placed a hand lightly on her stomach, a triumphant smile aimed directly at me.

A child had always been the sore point between Liam and me.

We'd seen countless specialists. The diagnosis was clear: Liam was infertile.

So Ava had done IUI

If that was the case, maybe she did deserve Liam's choice. Maybe I wasn't enough.

As I sat in silence, Helen took my hand again.

"Lily, you've always been so understanding."

She wiped my tears.

"How about this? You sign the divorce papers."

"But in my heart, you'll always be my daughter-in-law. You don't even have to leave this house."

"I promise you. Your standard of living won't change."

"When Ava has the baby, you can help out. You know my health isn't up to childcare, and I wouldn't trust a stranger."

"The doctors all said you're wonderful with people. I know you'd take perfect care of the baby."

I immediately pulled my hand away.

Thinking I'd cried moments ago over her "understanding" made me feel sick.

What a performance. A real double act.

Divorced but not leaving? They wanted a free nanny.

I stood up and faced Liam.

"You have three days to revise the divorce agreement."

"If you insist on me leaving with nothing, I'll seek justice my own way."

"Lily, I spoke up for you! How can you be so ungrateful?" Helen's face hardened.

"What will you live on without Liam? How will you maintain this lifestyle?"

"Given Liam's status now, it's perfectly reasonable for a man to have options."

"Besides, Ava is pregnant C she's the one who contributed!"

"She doesn't even mind you staying in the house. What are you making a fuss about?"

I was making a fuss? Bullshit.

There was no point arguing. I turned to leave.

"Stop!" Ava's voice rang out.

She looked at me smugly.

"Liam has already transferred all his assets into my name."

"As the company CEO, he just secured a hundred-million-dollar loan from the bank."

"If you insist on splitting assets, the only thing you'll get is half that debt."

"Do you really want an equal share?"

Liam produced another set of divorce papers.

"Out of respect for our past, I wasn't going to saddle you with this debt."

"But if you insist on splitting everything equally, sign this version."

I stared at Liam. "Scheme all you want."

"You have three days. I suggest you find a way to get those assets back within that time."

"Believe me, Liam, if you don't do as I say, you will be desperate in three days."

"You're just a housewife!"

"Have you been reading too many novels? Stop pretending!" Ava yelled at my retreating back.

Housewife?

I turned back to face Liam.

"Sure. I've been home for three years caring for your mother."

"But have you forgotten who I really am?"

"What is she?" Ava clung to Liam's arm.

"Honey, I heard housewives live in fantasy worlds."

"Tell me, what grand title did she give herself?"

Liam looked at Ava affectionately. "Exactly what you said. A housewife."

I held Liam's gaze for a long moment, then turned and left.

Tomorrow was the quarterly board meeting. It would be time when Liam remembered exactly who I was.

The next morning, I arrived early at the company boardroom.

By 9:30 AM, the directors had filed in.

After three years away, their looks at me held a different weight.

It seemed they'd also forgotten my identity.

Forgotten who brought in the clients, who steered the company onto the path of success.

Soon, Liam arrived.

He came with Ava. Seeing me, his expression flickered briefly before smoothing over.

Ava shot me a cold look. She stopped beside my chair.

"Move."

Was that bitch kidding? My seat wasn't for just anyone.

I glanced at her.

"What's your position here? What gives you the right to attend a board meeting?"

"Get out."

Ava leaned on the back of my chair.

"Couldn't win in love, so you come to the office to cause trouble?"

"Gentlemen, perhaps you can enlighten her about my position here."

Liam looked at me. A flicker of mockery hid deep in his eyes, like he was waiting for my humiliation.

"Ms. Shaw is the company's Vice Chairman. I believe that qualifies her."

Ava looked down at me.

"Now you know my position, huh?"

"And why are you here?"

"What gives you the right to sit in this chair? What gives you the right to attend?"

I kept my eyes on Liam. "Since you explained Ava's presence, perhaps you'd care to explain mine."

Liam didn't explain. "This is a company, not your home. Stop throwing a tantrum. Leave."

"Three years. Have you all forgotten who I am?"

I scanned the other board members.

Silence filled the room. Liam spoke again. "If you don't leave, I'll call security."

"Oh? So, Ava can attend as Vice Chairman, but I, also a Vice Chairman, cannot?"

"Is that what this is about?" Ava laughed.

"Liam must have forgotten to inform you."

"Two years ago, due to your persistent absence from board meetings, the board voted to remove you from your position as Vice Chairman."

She leaned down, whispering in my ear,

"Is that what you wanted to brag about yesterday? Too bad you're not even Vice Chairman anymore."

"And even if you were, it was a title Liam gave you. Did you really think you earned it?"

"Now, tuck your tail between your legs and get out."

I glared at Liam. "I was fired? Without my knowledge?"

"Security!" Liam ignored me.

He pointed at me. "Remove her."

Security stepped forward. I stood up. "I can walk myself out."

At the door, I turned back to Liam.

"How this company grew, how it landed contract after contract seems you've truly forgotten."

Liam glanced at the security guards. They moved closer.

I caught the flicker of discomfort in his eyes just then.

He hadn't forgotten. He'd just chosen Ava over everything I'd built.

My voice was icy.

"I hear the company is hosting a banquet for major partners tomorrow. To introduce Ava properly, I assume?"

Liam's face darkened. "Don't cause trouble. You'll only embarrass yourself."

"I look forward to seeing who gets embarrassed."

Ava taunted, "Lily, Liam might tolerate you, but I won't."

"If you have the guts to show your face tomorrow, I will deal with you!"