Seeking Peace In The Deep Autumn

Chapter 1

After marrying Ethan Jiang, he only touched me once, when he was drunk. Then he left the country with his white moonlight, Vivian Lu.

When he returned, our son was almost four years old.

Vivian angered the Jiang family patriarch to the point of illness, yet Ethan forced my son and me, while he was running a high fever, to kneel in the freezing courtyard and apologize.

I hugged my son, my heart aching, and tried to reason with him. “Honey’s still sick; let me kneel alone…”

Ethan impatiently interrupted. “Don’t play the victim card; boys aren’t that delicate!”

After an hour of kneeling, my son collapsed, rushed to the ER, and diagnosed with acute pneumonia. A critical notice was issued.

I cried, begging Ethan to see our son; he was dying.

But Vivian, standing beside him, smirked. “Pneumonia? Don’t overreact. Kids aren’t that fragile.”

“You just want Ethan to spend more time with you, right? Why curse your own child? You’re such a wicked mother,” she sneered.

On the day of my son’s funeral, I went to Grandpa Jiang.

“My son won’t be buried in the Jiang family plot. The five years are up; let me go. Consider it repayment for my life.”

My words caused Grandpa Jiang to cough violently; his already wrinkled face aged further.

“Nancy, Zeke is still a Jiang, he should be buried in the family plot.”

“I know Ethan wronged you these years. Now that he’s back, I’ll discipline him. Reconsider?”

I shook my head firmly.

“Even for my sake, please, just hold on a little longer?”

Seeing the man who commanded the business world now pleading like a frail old man, my tears flowed uncontrollably.

“I can’t take it anymore. Ethan wasn’t there when I was sick with morning sickness, almost dying during labor. He was canoodling with Vivian on the beach, even when Zeke was dying and wanted to see his father. Ethan chose to get a manicure with Vivian instead.”

“I don’t want this family, I don’t want it for my son. Please, let me go.”

Grandpa Jiang sighed deeply.

“Sigh, I’m the one who ruined you both.”

After leaving the ancestral home, I took Zeke’s ashes back to the villa Ethan and I shared.

After carefully placing the urn in the closet, I started packing my bags.

The bedroom door opened, and Ethan and Vivian’s voices filled the room.

“Nancy, why are you here instead of at the hospital with the kid?”

I’d asked Grandpa to keep Zeke’s death a secret. Since they didn’t care while he was alive, why should they care now?

Ethan thought Zeke just had a severe case of pneumonia and was still hospitalized.

I ignored him, continuing to pack.

Seeing my silence, Vivian smiled. “Ethan, it’s perfect! She can attend tonight’s gala. It’s time you took Nancy out into the world.”

Ethan spoke coldly from behind me. “Nancy, go buy a gown. You’re coming with me tonight.”

I refused directly. “Sorry, I don’t have time.”

Since I met Ethan, he never took me to these events. Vivian was always his plus-one. I knew this was a setup, and I wouldn’t participate in my own humiliation.

But Ethan exploded, throwing my belongings to the floor.

“You’re a housewife; you always have time! Didn’t you beg me to take you out? Now that I do, you’re playing hard to get?”

“Nancy, I warn you, don’t play games! You don’t deserve it!”

“Believe me, I’ll pull my investment from your brother’s factory!”

Vivian feigned annoyance, playfully hitting him. She grabbed my hand. “Ethan, don’t be so harsh. We don’t need to buy a dress; I have one I don’t wear anymore. Let me help you try it on.”

She pulled me into the next room.

I realized Vivian had moved in while I was gone—next door.

Ethan coughed lightly. “Vivian’s place is under renovation, she’s staying here for a few days. I make the rules in this house; stop sulking!”

I forced a smile. “Okay, I understand.”

Vivian then dressed me in a crimson gown.

The irony was biting. On the day of my son’s funeral, I wore a scarlet dress.

The moment I entered the gala, all eyes were on me.

I was treated like a freak. This was a formal business event; everyone was in business attire.

Several media outlets practically shoved their cameras in my face.

“Who is she?”

“No idea, she’s crazy; dressed like she’s getting married.”

Vivian sashayed towards me.

“Nancy, you’re Mrs. Jiang. How could you be so clueless? Wearing this flashy dress to proclaim your ownership of Ethan. Did you know the host hates red?”

The commotion grew, drawing nearly everyone to me. I was like some bizarre exhibit.

“My god, that’s Mr. Jiang’s wife; so tacky.”

“I always thought Vivian was Mrs. Jiang. That woman’s a simpleton. Vivian is so much better suited to Mr. Jiang.”

Vivian reveled in the whispers and pointed laughter.

The crowd parted; Ethan and a stern-looking middle-aged man approached.

Vivian grabbed my arm, tears welling.

“Nancy, Ethan and I really have nothing. Please don’t doubt him; it hurts him.”

She shoved me, pretending to fall.

The next second, a slap landed hard across my face.

“Nancy! What are you trying to do?!”

Ethan quickly pulled Vivian into his arms.

His fury was palpable.

Vivian sobbed in his arms. “I was just trying to explain to Nancy that Ethan and I have nothing, but she got angry and pushed me…”

I protested. “I didn’t; she—”

“I saw it. She pushed her.”

The onlookers testified against me, making me look like a fool.

Ethan’s companion frowned. “Mr. Jiang, is this how you teach your wife? This is outrageous!”

Ethan’s face darkened. He stepped forward, his voice laced with menace. “Kneel! Apologize!”

My fists clenched, nails digging into my palms, the pain my only support.

“Is the Jiang family’s tradition just endless kneeling? I won’t kneel. I did nothing wrong!”

Ethan’s warning intensified. He gritted out, “You won’t kneel? Fine.”

He called someone on his phone. “Immediately pull the investment from Song Industries!”

I snatched the phone, dropping to my knees.

I choked out an apology to the man. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I’m uncouth, a disgrace to the Jiang family.”

I banged my head against the floor, a dull thud.

My only thought was escape, to hide and cry.

But Ethan didn’t stop.

He pulled Vivian in front of me.

“Apologize to Vivian! You almost ruined her reputation with your filthy thoughts. Apologize!”

Vivian cried, looking at me. “I admit, Ethan and I are childhood friends, but you’re married, I would never be a homewrecker. Nancy, you’ve misunderstood.”

I didn’t listen, merely saying, “Fine, I’m sorry. I’m delusional. Vivian is pure and kind; my dirty mind insulted her.”

My head hit the floor again, harder this time, blood welling on my forehead.

“Are you satisfied? If not, I’ll keep going.”

Another thud.

I lost count. Blood covered my face.

Ethan finally pulled me up, slightly panicked. “Should we go to the hospital…”

I smiled. “No need. I’m a housewife; I’m tough. I won’t bother Mr. Jiang and Ms. Lu. I’ll leave.”

“Mr. Jiang” ignited his rage.

He pointed to the door, roaring. “Get out!”

Outside, I realized my phone was dead, and I had no money.

I chuckled, taking off my heels, and walked barefoot on the harsh pavement.

I walked home, the cold night air chilling, but not as much as my heart.

Tears and blood streamed down my face. Passersby screamed in alarm.

I ignored them, dancing in the cold wind, spinning freely.

Like on stage, beautiful and free.

A car door opened; a hot hand yanked me inside.

I was pinned down.

He was burning hot, his eyes full of lust.

His hands ripped my clothes.

I struggled, but his grip was like iron, holding me captive.

When he entered me, I stopped fighting.

I felt a strange release.

I wasn’t just Ethan’s Nancy anymore.

He took me many times, until he collapsed, exhausted.

I dragged myself out of the car.

At home, I removed my ruined red dress. For a moment, I worried about returning it, then I scoffed.

It was meant for me; she wouldn’t want it back.

I packed my few belongings. Five years in this house, and I had so little. Two suitcases were enough.

I called my parents. “Mom, can I stay with you for a few days?”

My mother hesitated.

“Nancy, I can’t decide that.”

My father shouted, “Don’t let her come back! This house doesn’t welcome her!”

My brother took the phone.

“Sis, Ethan almost pulled out of the factory tonight, you know? We raised you all these years. This is how you repay us? I warn you, kneel and apologize to Ethan. Get him to send the second investment!”

My last nerve snapped.

Tears poured down.

The world had no place for me.

Zeke, Mom has no home anymore.

The door burst open. Ethan stormed in, pinning me to the bed, his hand around my throat.

“Nancy! You embarrassed me tonight! Is this your revenge?!”

“Fine. You said Vivian was my mistress? Then I’ll make it a reality!”

He dragged me to Vivian’s room.

“Watch this!”

He threw Vivian onto the bed, ripping off her clothes.

Vivian moaned happily, looking at me triumphantly, mouthing two words: “Thank you.”

I saw the scene from earlier that night.