I had been in love with Tara for five years, spoiling her like a princess. The day I returned from a business trip abroad, I wanted to surprise her by secretly attending a private dinner party to see her. But I saw her passionately kissing another man. To my shock, it was Henry, my college roommate. The dazzling diamond brooch on his suit jacket pierced my eyes. Because it was identical to the one Tara had given me. Five years of companionship had become nothing but a joke. It turned out I was the one destroying someone else’s marriage all along. Heartbroken and disillusioned, I quickly wrote an application to become a war correspondent in the Middle East. After I left, Tara turned Shanghai upside down looking for me like a madwoman. I snuck into the exclusive Hong Kong dinner party in disguise, using an invitation I had prepared in advance. This was a private event with no media allowed. I unlocked my phone, the wallpaper showing a photo of Tara and me from our last meeting. I smiled bitterly, realizing it had already been a month since I’d seen her. Just ten minutes ago, Tara had texted asking when I’d be back. “The assignment here isn’t finished yet, it’ll be another two days,” I had replied. Tara sent a sticker saying “Miss you hubby”. I couldn’t help smiling as I imagined her surprised face when she saw me. The crowd suddenly stirred. I turned around, scanning the room. Several VIPs walked by, and I froze when I saw the woman behind them. Tara was intimately holding the arm of an equally distinguished-looking man. It was Henry, my college roommate. His appearance hadn’t changed much. The diamond brooch on his suit jacket was dazzlingly bright, piercing my eyes. I looked down, quietly removing the identical diamond brooch pinned to my own jacket. As soon as they appeared, people came up to greet them, warmly calling her “Mrs. Wright”. Mrs. Wright… No wonder Tara always said there was no rush to get married. She had already become someone else’s wife long ago. “Mrs. Wright, how long have you been married? Any plans for children?” someone asked. Tara smiled and replied, “Henry and I have been married for three years. He thinks I’m still young, so we’re not in a hurry.” I felt my blood run cold. As they walked towards me, I hid in a corner. The two of them made a striking couple, perfectly matched, turning heads wherever they went. Even her hand remained tucked in his arm the whole time. How many passionate nights had she used that same hand to gently caress my body, whispering sweet nothings in my ear? “Jack, why are you so good to me? You’re truly the best gift heaven could give me.” “This business trip will be a bit longer. Take good care of yourself in Shanghai and wait for me to come back.” What frequent business trips? You clearly had a real home here in Hong Kong all along.
As the music began, Henry led Tara onto the dance floor. I masochistically watched their intimate display. When the song ended, amid enthusiastic applause, Henry leaned down and planted a deep kiss on Tara’s lips. After the party, I found myself following them to the parking lot like a man possessed. Tara had changed out of her evening gown and was about to get into a different car. “Where are you going? Back to Shanghai again?” Henry demanded. Tara ignored him dismissively. “None of your business.” “Your home is in Hong Kong. Why do you keep going to Shanghai?” Henry blocked her path, his tone sharp. “You still haven’t completely broken things off with Jack, have you? Tara! I’m your husband, I want you to stay and come home with me!” “You can’t leave! Come home with me!” Tara kept dodging back and forth. “Get out of my way!” Henry was forcefully shoved aside by Tara, left standing there stunned. “Henry, I’ve told you before, I won’t give up Jack. You’re the one who insisted on marrying me by any means necessary. Now you have to deal with the consequences!” Tara got in her car and slammed the door. On the road, she kept messaging me over and over. “Jack, what are you doing?” “Are you asleep?” “Why aren’t you replying?” “…” My phone kept lighting up in the dark room, painfully bright. I tossed it across the room. The fiery alcohol burned my throat, making me cough uncontrollably. This home was filled with sweet memories from our five years together. Now it just made me feel sick. I had thought I was the love of her life. Only now did I realize I was the most pitiful one in this relationship. Deceived in body and soul, forever living in a romance that could never see the light of day. I met Tara right after graduating college. She was gentle, caring and romantic, making my then-roommate Henry envious. Some people had warned me that a girl from Tara’s background wouldn’t be interested in someone like me, telling me to be wary of Henry. Henry came from money and had no shortage of female attention. I didn’t think much of it. Besides, Tara loved me so much. How could she possibly look at another man? Now I realized how foolish I had been. I looked at the company’s transfer notice and applied for the war correspondent position no one else wanted.
My overseas assignment had been successfully completed, but the editor-in-chief suddenly approached me angrily. My colleagues exchanged worried glances. “Jack, you actually want to be a war correspondent? You did an excellent job on this assignment. Once the article is published you’re due for a promotion and raise. You’re my most talented reporter with a bright future ahead. I really don’t understand why you’re doing this.” “Give me one good reason.” I smiled bitterly. “Because I don’t want to stay in Shanghai anymore.” After a night of drinking and smoking, my voice was terribly hoarse. The editor frowned hearing it. “Why have you done this to yourself?” “Boss, please just do me this one favor.” I looked up at him, my eyes bloodshot. I took some time off. As soon as I left the office, I saw a familiar Maserati parked nearby. Tara strode over, her brow furrowed with irritation. “Jack, what happened? Why haven’t you been answering my calls?” “Do you know I’ve been looking for you all night?” I spread my hands. “I only brought my work phone. The one at home got broken by accident.” My voice was nasal and hoarse. Tara noticed immediately. “You’re sick and didn’t tell me? Haven’t you been taking care of yourself these past few days at home?” Seeing her concerned expression, I felt even more bitter inside. In the past, I definitely would have played up being pitiful, just to see how much she cared. But now, remembering the scene of her passionately kissing Henry, I just felt nauseated. Tara drove me home, took my temperature, and sure enough I had a high fever. After taking medicine, I lay in bed. Tara slipped under the covers, her soft, supple body pressed tightly against me. But I didn’t have any other thoughts. “Jack, are you mad at me? Why won’t you talk to me?” “Are you upset I was gone too long this time?” Tara made to kiss me, but I dodged. “I’m still sick.” Her gaze fell on the nightstand. “Why did you take off that diamond brooch? Wasn’t it your favorite?” Yes, I used to love that brooch because Tara gave it to me. It was supposed to be one-of-a-kind. Now I knew even this handmade brooch had an identical twin, worn by her real husband. How laughable. “I put it away.” My attitude was cold. Tara lost interest and got up to leave. Tara received several strange calls that she angrily hung up on. When I asked who it was, she just said they were spam calls. I gave a soft “oh” and didn’t press further, because I knew it was her lawful husband Henry calling.
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