Chapter 50 Their Views on Marriage
"How could I not get involved? Your aunt is so upset, her blood pressure has skyrocketed."
Arya's voice was filled with concern on the phone. "That James is a real piece of work. If things weren't going well between them, they should have parted amicably. Why deceive someone like that? I heard that James and his mistress have a five-year-old daughter and they must have been together for who knows how many years. Now the mistress is pregnant with a second child, reportedly a boy, and the Anderson family insists on keeping it. Yet, James refuses to divorce."
Maggie's world view had been shattered once again. The thought of James feigning innocence at the hospital, claiming the mistress clung to him, suddenly felt like a masterful act.
Their daughter was already five, which meant they had been together for at least six years.
In other words, James had strayed from his marriage to Isabella within just a couple of years.
Over those years, he had managed to keep his affair a well-guarded secret.
Throughout this time, James's career had soared, and at home, he was considerate and gentle towards Isabella. To all appearances, he was the perfect husband, and they were the epitome of a model couple, save for their lack of children.
Because of James's affair, Maggie had started to doubt the sanctity of marriage herself.
If even a man as seemingly perfect as James could cheat, what wasn't possible?
On the phone, Maggie warned Arya not to meddle too much. Even if she did visit, it should only be to offer comfort to her aunt, and she should refrain from interfering in how Isabella chose to handle her marriage.
After the call, Maggie sat alone in the living room, lost in thought. She wondered how far her own marriage to Fiorello could go.
What would she do if Fiorello ever betrayed her? What could she do?
Without the heart to do anything else that afternoon, Maggie nestled on the couch, idly flipping through channels and watching reality shows for hours.
Around five o'clock, sounds at the door pulled her back to reality, and she turned to see Fiorello returning home.
Glancing at the time, Maggie panicked – she hadn't started cooking dinner yet.
She hadn't expected Fiorello to come home this early today.
Quickly getting to her feet, Maggie said, "You're back, I'll go make dinner."
"Maggie, let's eat out tonight," Fiorello suggested as he changed into his slippers. "You start your new job tomorrow, and we should celebrate. I'll just take a quick shower and change my clothes."
Maggie felt surprised. Fiorello had come home early just to celebrate with her.
"...Okay," she replied, "then I'll get changed too."
After Fiorello retreated to the bedroom, took his shower, and changed, they didn't leave the house until nearly six o'clock.
Fiorello drove, with Maggie in the passenger seat. He could tell she was preoccupied and asked, "How did the medical check-up go today?"
Maggie said, "No problem, everything is normal."
"Is there something on your mind?"
Fiorello asked, and Maggie, who had been holding back all day, couldn't help but say, "My cousin's husband cheated on her. They've been married for eight years, and because my cousin can't have children, her husband went and had a child with another woman. It all came out into the open, and now my cousin is in the middle of a divorce."
Hearing this, Fiorello understood, "You're worried that our marriage might face problems."
Maggie was momentarily speechless.
That was quite straightforward.
Maggie managed a thin smile, "That's not it..."
"Maggie." Fiorello suddenly called her name very seriously, "As long as we're married, I won't do anything to betray you."
Implicit in his words was a commitment to absolute fidelity in their marriage.
Maggie laughed uncomfortably in agreement, "I definitely trust you."
Whether she truly believed it was one thing, but of course, that's what she had to say.
Fiorello chuckled, choosing not to challenge her façade.
Thinking of Isabella's situation, Maggie sighed, "Even though I'm not on good terms with my cousin, seeing her deceived for so many years, and her husband's mistress is already expecting their second child, I still can’t help but feel sorry for her. Deceit is what I despise the most in life."
Fiorello felt a momentary pang of anxiety upon hearing those last words.
"Your cousin and her husband won't get a divorce," Fiorello said. "At least, not any time soon."
"Why?" Maggie looked at him, "My cousin is a strong-willed person, and she caught her husband cheating. She's definitely going to divorce him."
"You said it yourself, they've been married for eight years, there must be some feelings there. You cousin is just angry right now. Once she calms down, she definitely won't want to divorce," Fiorello analyzed. "Plus, I think your cousin's husband doesn't really want to divorce either."
Maggie still didn't understand, "Why wouldn't they divorce? The mistress is even pregnant with their second child, and it sounds like her husband's family wants that child."
Fiorello chuckled and said, "Maggie, you're oversimplifying things. If your cousin's husband wanted a divorce, he would have done it by now, not kept it a secret. What your cousin's husband probably wants is a bit of novelty, maybe a child. In truth, men often prefer their first wife."
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