On my fifth anniversary, I waited all night for Yvonne, candlelight flickering on the empty table. She was at the mall, with our twin sons, and her first love, Jared. Reporters snapped photos; the news was ablaze.

My wife, who barely touched me, had Jared’s arm around her waist. Even Xavier, my obsessive-compulsive son, pecked Jared on the cheek, beaming.

Panic seizing me, I called Yvonne. "Petty," she scoffed. "I’ve reunited with Jared! What’s wrong with introducing him to our sons?" Before I could reply, Xavier shrieked, "Daddy, you’re a spoilsport! I like Jared better. I want him to be my dad!"

My phone slipped, the screen shattering. I slumped back, a wry smile twisting my lips. My marriage to Yvonne Langley—a business arrangement that blossomed into my secret love—was unraveling. She constantly video-called Jared, even flew overseas to spend Christmas with him. I clung to the hope of respect, loyalty, even if not love.

But Yvonne, intimate with me only once, drunk, before our sons were born, now openly displayed affection for Jared. Xavier, who hated being touched, kissed Jared. He wanted him as his father. A sharp pain tore through me.

Ignoring the untouched dinner, I grabbed my spare phone, desperate to salvage things. Then, a video from Jared.

Trembling, I played it. The host boomed, "Kiss for a minute, free ice cream!" Jared winked at Yvonne. "Free ice cream tastes best. Want to try?"

Yvonne blushed. Xavier urged, "Mommy, it's fun! Kiss Jared! I want ice cream!" He shoved her towards Jared. She stumbled into his arms, their lips meeting.

"Mommy, it's just ice cream!" Jonas protested. "We can afford it! You can't kiss him—you can't betray Daddy!" But Xavier cut him off. "Jonas, this is romance! You wouldn't understand!"

Amidst cheers, they kissed for a full minute. Xavier squealed, "Jared, you're amazing! I think you're better than my dad!" The video ended. My heart shattered. Years of effort, a joke. Yvonne remained closed off, and now, even my son preferred Jared.

I couldn't understand clinging to this marriage. Yvonne had proposed divorce three years ago, when she reconnected with Jared. But our children were babies. I couldn’t bear a single-parent household. More, I loved her, my love hidden, my children my excuse. They were too young. I refused the divorce, giving her 10% of Joplin Group shares. Only then did she relent.