Chapter 1 Caught Cheating

The Kostas family was the wealthiest in Lystra. They made their fortune in real estate and hotels, and Natalia Kostas, their only child, was the sole heir. Mr. Kostas had always considered Dante Ruiz as his son, treating him like one. The year Natalia graduated from Harvard University, she returned to Lystra and married Dante. After the wedding, Dante had continued to treat her with the same kindness and support he always had, encouraging her to pursue her career. Over time, he had become more than just a husband to her—he had become her world. They were the couple everyone admired, the perfect match. But after three years of marriage, despite her parents’ urging, Natalia still couldn’t conceive. Today, she was supposed to fly to Paris for Fashion Week, but had been delayed at the hospital waiting for test results. Unexpectedly, as she received her test results and was about to share the good news with Dante, the message changed everything. Instead of joy, she fell into a pit of darkness. [Sweetheart, I miss you. I’ll wait for you at the usual place tonight. Don’t forget to wear the black panties I like... She’s flying to Paris again, she’s not home, darling, see how I tear you apart tonight!] It was Dante’s voice—Natalia would recognize it even if it turned to ashes. But she had never heard him speak like this before. It was so far removed from his usual calm and composed demeanor. Her hand, holding the phone, trembled slightly as her heart tightened with pain. In those three years of marriage, Natalia had always believed she’d been a good wife to Dante. Aside from her career, he had always come first. When her father had given her hand to Dante on their wedding day, he had asked him to take care of her. But now, it seemed Dante had been taking care of another woman! There was no doubt in Natalia’s mind—the woman in the message was Dante’s lover. She had heard of these dramas before, where people in wealthy families would expel their partner for having an affair. But this was different. The woman had made a mistake. Dante was only the son-in-law of the Kostas family. She could divorce him, and he would be out. Betrayal was the one thing she couldn’t forgive! The more Natalia thought about it, the angrier she became. The stress of her pregnancy only made her more agitated. The “usual place”? She had to see for herself what that scoundrel was up to! Natalia quickly called her best friend Sierra. “Sierra, help me check if this ID number has stayed at any hotel recently.” Sierra worked in a special department, so she had her ways, but her response was filled with shock. “Dante? Natalia, what’s going on? Are you really suspicious of him?” Natalia tried her best to calm herself. “Just find out the result, and I’ll tell you everything later.” Sierra didn’t press her. After a brief pause, she said honestly, “The hotel Dante visits most often is... Great Winter.” Natalia let out a bitter laugh. “Great Winter” was a hotel chain owned by the Kostas family. Dante was really something. Natalia’s parents had gone overseas for a vacation half a month ago and were due to return tomorrow. She had no one to confide in. After all, what could she say when something like this had happened? She wiped the tears that flowed down her face. But Natalia had never been a weak woman. She was only twenty-five years old, and she didn’t rely on Dante to live. Why should she cry for a man who wasn’t faithful to her? The more Natalia thought about it, the calmer she became. She took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and went out after dark. Instead of driving, she took a taxi and headed to the “Great Winter Hotel” by the lake. “Please, help me find out which room Dante is in,” Natalia said to the receptionist. “Sorry, Miss, we can’t disclose guest information,” the receptionist apologized. “I’m Natalia Kostas. This hotel is under my name. Dante Ruiz is my husband. I just flew back from abroad and want to surprise him,” Natalia said coldly, glaring at the receptionist. Upon hearing Natalia’s identity, the receptionist panicked, quickly typing on her computer before saying, “Mrs. Ruiz, Mr. Ruiz is in the Presidential Suite No. 888 on the 16th floor. Here is a spare key card.” “Thank you!” Natalia took the key card and turned around gracefully, her movements calm and confident, showing no sign of defeat. However, as soon as she turned, the receptionist called out, “Mr. Ruiz, she’s coming up.” The conspiracy had just begun, but Natalia didn’t realize it. Natalia took the elevator to the 16th floor and stood in front of room 888. For a moment, she couldn’t bring herself to move forward. A failed marriage could be a new beginning for her, but it would certainly be a huge blow to her parents. Moreover, she already had a child with Dante, and that child was innocent. But nothing could compare to the fury of catching a cheater. If Dante had lied to her, he had to be punished! As long as she had proof, the law would not let him off the hook! Natalia opened the door with the key card and quietly walked in. Soft, romantic music played in the living room of the presidential suite. Two glasses of red wine were neatly placed on the table. Red high-heeled shoes and a suspender skirt lay beside the sofa, along with a man’s shirt, pants... everything scattered all the way to the bedroom door. The bedroom door wasn’t fully closed, as a black bra was caught in the gap... “Sweetheart, I miss you. I’ll wait for you at the usual place tonight. Remember to wear the black panties I like...” The ambiguous message echoed in her mind again, and Natalia could barely breathe. It turned out that wanting to catch a cheater was one thing, but seeing these animals make love with her own eyes was another. Thinking of the sweet words Dante had whispered to her over the past three years, Natalia really wanted to grab the bottle of red wine on the table and smash it over Dante’s head. How could he humiliate her like this?! At this moment, an ambiguous sound came from the half-open bedroom door. “Ah! Dante!” Natalia hesitated as she moved toward the door. Through the narrow gap, she could clearly see the scene inside. A man and a woman were engaged in indecent acts, and the man was her husband, Dante. Natalia sneered. This scene was far more entertaining than watching a porn film. “Dante, you’re amazing. I’m so happy to be your lover, am I good...?” “Darling...” the man gasped, “You’re better than her…” “Dante, you’re lying again, but I love you…” The woman smiled charmingly. Natalia pressed the stop button on her phone’s recorder, saved the file, and then turned around, hurrying toward the door. All she needed to do was forward this video to her lawyer, and the proof of Dante’s infidelity would be enough. Then, she would make him suffer! However, as soon as Natalia grabbed the door handle, a large hand gripped it from behind. She panicked and turned around, only to see Dante standing there, wrapped in nothing but a towel. “Natalia, do you want to leave after watching? Hmm?” Dante looked at her with a half-smile, his handsome face as gentle as ever, showing no sign of worry from being caught in bed. His voice was soft, almost playful. Natalia suddenly felt that Dante was acting strangely. How could he still laugh? “Dante, don’t you feel ashamed?” Natalia shook the door handle with all her might. “Natalia, don’t you want to join us?” Dante asked, a more relaxed smile on his lips. He stepped closer, wrapping his arm around Natalia’s waist and ignoring her resistance as he pulled her inside, throwing her onto the sofa. Natalia hit the sofa with force, and her stomach began to ache. Just then, a woman in a bathrobe emerged from the bedroom, her long, slender legs exposed. She was stunningly beautiful. Looking at Natalia, she said, “Dante, is your wife here to kill you? She looks terrifying.” Dante extended his hand to the woman. “Lola, come here and meet my wife—Natalia.” ***