My Billionaire Husband Faked Being Poor , So I Let Him Keep His Mistress1
### Chapter 1
To save my son from leukemia, my husband worked himself to the bone every single day, burying us under hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt.
After my son died, I threw myself into three jobs at once, pushing through until my stomach bled, all so Dominic Ashford wouldn't have to carry the weight alone.
On his birthday, I decided to surprise him on his business trip. I gritted my teeth, spent half a month's wages, and bought the last available ticket.
The flight attendant wheeled the meal cart over and leaned down with a smile. "Ma'am, for lunch we have Wagyu steak and cod. Which would you prefer?"
I glanced at the beautifully plated food and blurted out, "Isn't this... really expensive? Maybe I'll just skip it."
The words had barely left my mouth when a scoff came from the seat beside me.
"Business class meals are complimentary. Skipping it won't get you a refund."
"Oh... really?" Heat flooded my cheeks. "It's my first time flying."
The woman beside me was dripping in jewelry. The Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet on her wrist alone, the one I'd seen in magazine ads, had to be worth over a million dollars.
Next to her, a little boy was fast asleep, his head bowed. He looked about three years old.
I couldn't help my surprise. "You're so young, and you've been married a while?"
"Married?" The woman toyed with the massive diamond on her finger and let out a dry laugh. "That bastard told me he'd give me everything. Everything except a marriage certificate."
"What?"
She rolled her eyes.
"I'm his mistress. Never seen one before? I'm his secretary. He's got a plain little wife back home." She gave me a sidelong look. "About your age, actually. He says she's about as exciting as a plank of wood. The thought of sleeping with her makes him sick."
"Anyway, are you traveling for work?"
"No," I said, forcing a weak smile. "It's my husband's birthday. I wanted to surprise him."
"What a coincidence. My boss's birthday is today too. He told his wife he was on a business trip, but really he booked tickets to the Disneyland in Harbor City. Insisted I bring our son along."
The child stirred awake just then, rubbing his eyes and whining for something to drink.
The woman pursed her glossy red lips and waved to the flight attendant. "Orange juice for my son, please."