The CEO’S Orphan Wife

We were all taken aback by Maureen’s unexpected arrival. She even appeared surprised as she took in the sight of our suitcases in the living room.

“What are you doing here?” my mother-in-law asked her sternly.

Maureen was on the verge of responding when Mom interjected, “Didn’t I tell you to stay away from my son?”

Maureen hesitated for a moment, but then summoned the courage to reply, “I’m the one your son loves. Besides, they’re going to break up.”

I clenched my fists and struggled to maintain composure as her gaze fixed on me. She offered a sympathetic smile, not out of kindness but as a silent acknowledgment of my role as a wife, even though I wasn’t the one my husband loved.

With a sigh, I averted my gaze, determined not to let this ruin my day. I didn’t want to stoop to her level.

As I heard Ivan’s footsteps descending the stairs, I glanced up at him, but he froze in his tracks upon seeing Maureen.

“You’re leaving? Where are you going?” Maureen questioned my husband, assuming the role of a wife, anticipating that she should be cognizant of his every move and feel entitled to access all information.

Ivan maintained his silence, his lips firmly sealed, and his gaze unwavering as he continued his descent down the stairs.

“It’s not your concern… Show some decency, Maureen, even just a little,” remarked Ivan’s sister, who had just returned from her jog. Her teeth were clenched, and it was evident that she was avoiding confrontation with the woman.

“Ivan!” Maureen exclaimed in frustration, clearly losing her patience.

Maureen had displayed this behavior for some time now-affectionate yet frequently hot-headed. She had a short temper and insisted on having things her way, expecting Ivan to cater to her every desire. They frequently quarreled, with Ivan consistently trying to remain patient.

It seemed as though I was the one who was growing weary of Ivan during that time. His mother used to warn him that the woman was a warning sign-a red flag. Naturally, Ivan couldn’t see it because he loved her, and when you love someone, you tend to see what you want to see.

During their heated arguments, the woman would often threaten to end the relationship, and Ivan would make efforts to win her back.

Ivan had a great deal of patience… for her. However, when it came to me, his patience was limited, and he would become upset over trivial matters.

There was a time when I used to invite him or insist on having breakfast together, but he would become upset. He’d raise his voice, saying, “I already told you I’m not going to eat with you! Don’t you understand? Who told you to cook?! I won’t eat what you’ve prepared! You’re just wasting money!”

I had a monthly allowance from him, which he would give me. However, I didn’t use it because I also had a job, so I was earning some money. On top of that, his parents were giving me money as well. I declined their offer, so they deposited it into my bank account.

My parents left me some money, so I wasn’t facing financial difficulties. However, I won’t receive it until next year. When I do receive the money, I plan to repay my mother-in-law for the expenses they incurred on my behalf.

In a way, I’m not a pitiable orphan; I consider myself fortunate.

I was jolted from my thoughts when Maureen and Ivan’s sister engaged in a heated argument.

My sister-in-law snapped, “Guard! Evict this woman! And from now on, she’s not allowed to enter this house. Blacklist her from the village as well!”

Maureen’s countenance became even more resolute, resembling a gamecock preparing for battle, poised to confront its adversary.

“Maureen!” Ivan addressed her with a stern expression. “Go.”

I couldn’t discern any emotion on my husband’s face, leaving me unsure whether he was angry or felt compassion for the woman who was facing the collective disapproval of his family.

“Ivan…” Maureen was about to approach Ivan when the bodyguards closed in on her. Once more, she began to shout.

“Ivan! Ivan!”

“Sorry,” Ivan said to us. “Shall we leave now?”

I took a step forward but paused when Ivan clasped my hands. He was now smiling, gently squeezing my hand.

When we reached the airport, my in-laws’ mood had improved noticeably. Like me, they were pleased with what Ivan had done earlier.

Ivan also seemed to be back in his playful mood, constantly keeping his arm around me and occasionally planting kisses on my head.

***

This is my first time in Vietnam, while Ivan, on the contrary, has been here twice before. He mentioned he came during the summers of both high school and college. I refrained from inquiring about his companions on those trips, not wanting to dampen the atmosphere. It was during those occasions that he was already with Maureen.

Ivan and I have a planned itinerary. Mom and Dad are occupied with a business meeting, which leaves just the two of us to explore and visit various places.

“Why don’t you two go ahead and eat? Enjoy yourselves. We’ll just rest for a bit, then we’ll also head out for the meeting,” my mother-in-law told us before they entered their suite.

We proceeded to our designated suite. The entire room was spacious, and the view from the glass wall was breathtaking.

“Let’s take a short break. We’ll explore the place and have a meal a bit later,” Ivan suggested, holding my hand until the moment we stepped into the suite. That’s why the happiness I experienced was immeasurable.

We took a brief nap for a few minutes. When we woke up, Ivan invited me to dine at the restaurant instead of having food delivered to our suite.

I also brought my bag in preparation for our upcoming stroll. Ivan suggested that we visit the night market in the area.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Don’t eat too much for now,” he advised, so I placed a modest order.

“I’m concerned that you might get tired… I might overexert you,” I reminded Ivan. I was excited about our sightseeing plans, but I was keeping his well-being in mind.

“I’m fine,” he murmured, reassuring me.

“What if we postpone sightseeing to tomorrow so you can rest now?”

“Do you think I’d be resting if we stayed in our room?” he inquired with a mischievous grin, which took me a moment to fully grasp.

“You’re crazy!”

He chuckled and then wrapped his arms around me.

We savored a variety of local dishes and picked up some souvenirs. We captured numerous photographs and encountered some amiable tourists who kindly offered to take our pictures.

Ivan informed them that we were on our honeymoon.

“Oh, newlyweds. Congratulations!”

“You make a lovely couple,” a gracious foreign couple complimented us.

It was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, and they decided to come to Vietnam to celebrate.

Couples who have a strong and sincere commitment to their marriage are truly admirable.

That’s my dream too. After all, who would want failed relationships and marriages, right? But sometimes, we don’t have full control over every aspect of our lives. There are unexpected events that can sometimes alter the course of our journey.

***

It was nearly nine o’clock in the evening when we returned to the hotel suite. Although my legs were aching from all the walking, I opted to take a swift shower. The satisfying meal left me feeling quite full.

When I had completed my shower, it was Ivan’s turn to use the bathroom. Given my exhaustion, I chose to skip my usual skincare routine.

“W-why haven’t you changed yet?” I inquired of Ivan, my cheeks flushing as I surveyed him from head to toe. He stood by the side of the bed, clad only in a towel.

“I-Ivan,” I called his name with a tremor in my voice, but his grin only broadened.

“I just want to make out with my wife,” he replied playfully. He licked his lips, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I swallowed hard as my throat went dry.

I cleared my throat and averted my gaze, observing his delighted response.

“Y-you’re tired, aren’t you? You should-”

I gasped as he sat down beside me. His eyes glistened as he tenderly caressed my cheek.

“My beautiful wife,” he softly whispered, gazing at my face. I could discern an array of emotions in his eyes. Tentatively, I met his intense gaze, which brimmed with emotions directed at me.

“A-are you okay?” I asked, noticing his face had turned pale.

“Ivan…” I sat up and placed my hand on his shoulder, asking, “Is your head hurting?”

“A bit. It’s gone now… I’m probably just tired.”

“Get dressed, and let’s go to sleep.” I got out of bed, retrieved his clothes from the cabinet, and assisted him in getting dressed.

He lay down afterward, closing his eyes. I believed he might be contemplating something.

I kept an eye on him until I was sure he had drifted into a peaceful slumber. It was only then that I shifted my own position to settle in for sleep.

Why do I have the feeling that he’s about to remember something? What if he reverts to his old ways of treating me?

“I love you, Ivan,” I whispered.

I didn’t want to overthink. I didn’t know what would happen in the coming days. But as long as you still want me by your side, I’ll continue to show and make you feel how much I love you.