It was the tenth year of my marriage to Kenneth Rogers. I discovered he was cheating on me not according to any photos or proof, just a gut feeling triggered by his unusually cheerful “Good morning” one morning. When the investigator sent me the photo, I was at my usual coffee shop, ordering my cappuccino. The steam from my coffee blurred the image on my phone, but the truth was clear. Kenneth had cheated on me with a girl who had just turned twenty, twelve years younger than me. The photo showed Kenneth gazing at her with deep affection. I set down my cup, feeling the bitterness of the coffee match my mood. It was two days ago that I found out the first signs of his cheating. That morning, he woke up beaming, wore a sweater instead of his usual dark suit, and greeted me with, “Good morning.” A woman’s intuition was often considered accurate, and mine proved to be correct. On a day when there were no photos, no evidence, and no woman at the door, I was sure that my husband of ten years had cheated on me. After he left, I hired a private detective, and today’s findings confirmed my suspicions. I felt unnaturally calm, almost as if I had lost my feelings for Kenneth. I saved the photos, made the final payment to the detective, paid for the coffee, and took a taxi to Kenneth’s office. The receptionist saw me and was about to inform him, but I stopped her. I took the elevator to the ninth floor. When I opened the door, Kenneth was absorbed in his phone, giggling. As soon as he saw me, his expression shifted to warmth. “Elaina, what brings you here?” I held his gaze, noticing the sweat forming on his forehead and the panic in his eyes. To make him uncomfortable, I said, “I just remembered today is our 10th anniversary, so I booked a restaurant and thought we could go out after work.” His face paled for a moment. He had completely forgotten. I knew he had plans to take the young girl to the amusement park that evening. The detective had even provided me with that girl’s Twitter account. Out of boredom, I browsed through it. They had met ten months ago, and her name was Jasmin Weaver. She was a dessert maker at a cake shop, which explained the frequent appearance of Jasmin’s Handmade desserts at home. Kenneth had even brought home mango desserts a couple of times, despite my allergy to them. She also owned a white cat, which explained the cat hair on Kenneth. Kenneth had always claimed to be allergic to cats, so I never owned one. It seemed he was sacrificing for this new love. The twenty-year-old was easy to understand, and she shared sweet moments with Kenneth online. Her posts were filled with affection, referring to Kenneth as “Uncle.” For the past nine months, she had documented their sweet moments together. [Uncle came to buy cake today. I drew love hearts on it, making it extra special.] [Uncle confessed his love to me. It feels like a dream. I’m the happiest girl in the world.] And she posted a picture of roses. That night, Kenneth didn’t come home. I remember it vividly because I had a stomachache and couldn’t reach him after multiple calls. The next day, he returned, hugged me, and apologized, claiming he had to work late due to a company emergency.
I continued scrolling down, where I saw Kenneth accompanying her on birthdays, trips, and dates. They certainly looked very happy. Then, I saw her latest update. [Uncle finally agreed to ride the Ferris wheel with me tonight. We plan to kiss at the top, vowing never to part.] Kenneth chose me over her for the Ferris wheel. Ten years of marriage outweigh ten months, after all. At the familiar revolving restaurant, we enjoyed the best view of the city. From sharing a bowl of noodles to ordering two fresh steaks flown in from Barunya, our journey had been long. I pushed the gift I prepared for Kenneth across the table. He had to pretend to be touched. It was a pair of cufflinks, worth over a hundred thousand dollars, but Kenneth wasn’t wearing a suit. He didn’t even wear the wedding ring. “I’m touched, thank you, Elaina,” he said. “I also want to apologize for forgetting our anniversaries and not getting you a gift. Can you forgive me?” Kenneth took my hand, apologizing with a seemingly sincere tone. I smiled. “It doesn’t matter. I forgive you.” It was a double entendre I hoped he’d catch. We fell into silence, clinking glasses and cutting steaks, the sound of utensils harsh against our plates. Kenneth fidgeted, glancing at the clock. I asked, “Do you remember when we were struggling financially? One day, I got a part-time job as a waiter at a five-star restaurant. A table of guests ordered numerous expensive dishes, and while serving, I accidentally dropped a piece of dessert. The guests were furious, and that piece cost me one thousand dollars, which was half my monthly salary.” Kenneth seemed bashful. “Elaina, why are you bringing this up suddenly?” Ignoring him, I continued, “The supervisor scolded me and punished me stand there for two hours. After the customers left, I secretly packed up a plate of dessert. That day, we squatted in the rented room during the blackout and ate it. At that moment, I thought it was the best dessert in the world, but now…” I looked up to find Kenneth gazing at me sheepishly. “I suddenly forgot what it tasted like.” “Would you like some? I can have someone order it right away,” Kenneth said attentively. “Forget it, let’s eat,” I replied, lowering my eyes. Suddenly, Kenneth stood up. “Elaina, there’s an emergency at the company. I have to go back. I promise to make it up to you next time for our anniversary.” Flustered, he stumbled out without looking back. That girl updated her post. [Uncle is a liar. I don’t care about him anymore.] The picture showed her burned hand and a half-finished anniversary cake. I gazed out at the bustling city at night. Setting down my knife and fork, I finally remembered what that dessert tasted like. It was bitter. My tear-streaked face reflected in the glass. Kenneth had forgotten that night when we huddled on the tiny bed, him promising to succeed and take me to the highest point in the city for the finest meals. Now, we had the meal, but he was gone. It turned out ten months could truly outweigh ten years.
After that day, Kenneth didn’t come home for three days. Love was often impulsive and passionate. Before midnight, they rode the Ferris wheel, kissed at the top, and promised to stay together forever. The girl said, “Hello, here’s your cake.” “Thank you,” I politely apologized and switched off the photo of their kiss on my phone. I sized up the girl in front of me. She was Jasmin, Kenneth’s lover. She smiled warmly, revealing her eye teeth. She said, “This is our store’s signature cake. It’s super delicious.” Young girls were so different, energetic, and sunny. Taking a bite of her cake, I found it good, though overly sweet. I said, “It’s delicious. Pack me another. I want to bring it to my husband.” She smiled. “Okay. You and your husband are so affectionate.” I remained silent, watching her carefully tie the bow on the bag. As I left, she sweetly said, “Welcome next time. I hope your husband likes my cake too.” I replied, “He will. He’ll love it.” I gave her a meaningful look before turning away. I sat on the couch, waiting for Kenneth to return. Since he hadn’t been home in days, he wore a curt smile and said, “Elaina, I’ve been busy these past few days. I brought you a present. Please don’t be mad.” He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, burying his face in my neck, but I still caught that sweet scent. I didn’t pull away and handed him the packaged cake. His face went pale the moment he saw it. “Why did you buy a cake all of a sudden?” He was testing me. I remained expressionless. Kenneth pulled out a velvet box containing a gemstone bracelet. He said, “Are you still mad at me? I swear, it won’t happen again. Please don’t be mad.” Once, I thought Kenneth was clingy and childish, but I was glad. No matter how much he was slaying on the outside, when he came home he would always be my Kenneth. Now, that specialness felt like a cover for his lies and infidelity. I forced a smile. “I passed by and remembered you love it, so I bought it.” Kenneth sighed in relief and placed the bracelet on my wrist. “I knew you wouldn’t be mad at me.” I felt dazed, thinking Kenneth hadn’t changed, still the same twenty-year-old in my mind. Now, I noticed the subtle lines around his eyes, his sagging cheeks, and the gray in his brunette hair. I asked, “How many years have we known each other?” “Fifteen years. Five years in love and ten years married,” Kenneth answered quickly, as if afraid I would find his mistake. I said, “Fifteen years is a long time.” “Elaina, we have fifteen more to go,” Kenneth was eager to prove his loyalty. But fifteen years was a long time. It was long enough for some to grow tired of it.
After that day, Kenneth stayed home for a week due to guilt. Then, he began disappearing again. I went to Jasmin’s Handmade, sitting in the same spot as before, scrolling through Jasmin’s Twitter with downcast eyes. I learned Kenneth had taken her skiing the previous week. The same cake was delivered to me, and Jasmin greeted me with her usual smile. “See you again.” I nodded but didn’t touch the cake. “What’s the matter? Don’t you want to try it today?” she asked. “Tired of it,” I replied curtly, watching her expression stiffen before her smile returned. “It’s okay. We have other flavors, and they’re all delicious. You can try another one.” I picked up my phone, snapped a picture of the store, and posted it with the caption, [It’s delicious.] Moments later, Kenneth called, but I ignored it and silenced my phone. Jasmin was busy making a cake, so I walked over. “Do you want to try it?” she asked, smiling. “It’s different when you make it yourself.” I nodded. She led me into her workshop and taught me how to make the cake. As she worked, she chatted, “My boyfriend and I met while making a cake. The first time, his turned out crooked and ugly.” “You two are very affectionate,” I noted. Jasmin blushed, her eyes sparkling. “Yes, I like him so much.” “We have to trim the dough first,” she said, handing me a knife. I raised it, looking at her youthful face as suddenly I heard a shout, “No!” Kenneth rushed in, knocking me aside to shield Jasmin, his expression a mix of shock and urgency. “Elaina, I know I was wrong, but don’t do this to her.” Pain shot through my shoulder as I hit the wall, and the knife grazed my hand, drawing blood. I stared at Kenneth as I dropped the knife, standing straight. Jasmin didn’t know what happened and clung to Kenneth’s shirt. “What’s wrong, Uncle?” I held up my ring, a perfect match for the one on Kenneth’s left hand. She finally realized I was Kenneth’s wife whom he had lost his affection to. Her earlier words echoed in my mind. [So heartbroken for Uncle to be stuck in an unloving marriage, but it’s okay, I don’t want anything, I just want his love.] She knew all along that Kenneth was married. I watched her face turn pale with panic before she found her courage. Bowing slightly, she said, “I’m sorry. I know I’m immoral, but I’ll say it anyway. Uncle and I truly love each other. I don’t want anything. I just want him.” Kenneth gazed at her with deep emotion. Yet he had forgotten I had said the same thing a decade ago, kneeling before my dad with determination. “I don’t want anything. I just want him.” Back then, Kenneth held my hand and had promised he would never fail me. Now, he said, “Elaina, I’m sorry, but I love her.” Their relationship seemed stronger as they embraced, casting me as the villain in their story. I slapped Kenneth hard, my palm tingling from the impact. The wedding ring flew from my hand, rolling away before disappearing. Kenneth covered his face and didn’t dare to meet my gaze, while Jasmin looked heartbroken, wanting to speak but being held back by Kenneth. I said nothing, straightened my spine, and walked out of the workshop, fixing my hair and grabbing my bag. Turning back to Kenneth, I said the only thing I had since he arrived, “I emailed you the divorce papers. Sign them as soon as you can.” Their relationship seemed stronger as they embraced, casting me as the villain in their story. I slapped Kenneth hard, my palm tingling from the impact. The wedding ring flew from my hand, rolling away before disappearing. Kenneth covered his face and didn’t dare to meet my gaze, while Jasmin looked heartbroken, wanting to speak but being held back by Kenneth. I said nothing, straightened my spine, and walked out of the workshop, fixing my hair and grabbing my bag. Turning back to Kenneth, I said the only thing I had since he arrived, “I emailed you the divorce papers. Sign them as soon as you can.” The divorce papers were prepared long ago after I discovered Kenneth’s infidelity. I approached my attorney friend, who had witnessed our relationship, to draft the divorce agreement. Her initial reaction was disbelief, which turned to heartache when she saw the photos of Kenneth cheating. “I thought you guys were different.”
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