Wedding anniversary, my husband gifted me a necklace he designed, claiming it symbolized our unique love. But there was a curly hair stuck on the chain. He pretended to be annoyed: “The store clerk was careless, leaving a strand of hair.” However, he didn’t know that I had already seen this necklace in his assistant’s Snapchat two days before. [She wore it for two days and got bored. Just to acknowledge his effort, she posted a picture to praise him.] She even set it so that only I could see it. I pushed away his hand as he tried to help me put it on and casually tossed the necklace into the trash. Asher’s face turned dramatically. “You don’t appreciate my gift at all. Seems like I shouldn’t bother giving you anything in the future.” No problem, I’ll buy my own gifts from now on. But a man who cheats on me, I won’t keep. 0 After confirming tomorrow’s abortion with the nurse over the phone, I turned and walked into the restaurant. “The hospital just informed me about a check-up.” I explained to Asher nonchalantly: “Where were we?” The man across from me stared coldly. “Eloise, are you really going to ruin our fifth wedding anniversary over a hair?” The necklace he picked up again, with its sparkling bowtie, reflected the restaurant lights, stabbing my eyes from this angle. “Asher, you forgot I really hate butterflies?” His anger was first replaced by confusion, followed by embarrassment and awkwardness. Everyone who knows me knows I hate butterflies. My dad, who was my only family at that time, died falling off a cliff while trying to take a picture of a rare butterfly for me. Since then, I can’t stand anything related to butterflies. Asher used to be more attentive to this than anyone else. Even when we went to a department store, he would scout ahead to avoid bowtie products. I didn’t expect him to forget all about this. He awkwardly touched his nose: “I just thought the pattern suited you and forgot about your dislike.” “Eloise, you’re too sentimental, holding on to the past.” I laughed at myself; indeed, too sentimental. I almost forgot this necklace wasn’t meant for me. Imogen got tired of wearing it, and only then did I have the chance to receive this second-hand item. Do I have any right to be picky? I dodged the question: “You’re right, it’s time to let go.” Seeing my mocking expression, a strange look crossed his face, but before he could think more, his phone alerted him to a new message. Seeing how anxious he was, I didn’t need to ask to know it was from Imogen. He replied with a voice message in seconds: “Got it, I’m coming now.” I looked up at his anxious face. Before he could speak, I said calmly: “Is it work requiring overtime? Go ahead.” He immediately put on his coat, kissing my forehead as he left. “Sorry, it’s really urgent at the office. I’ll make it up to you with a romantic celebration on your birthday.” “Thank you, honey, you’re so considerate. I love you.” I quietly watched his hurried back. The man who accused me of ruining our anniversary couldn’t even wait for the meal before leaving. He was in such a rush he left his phone on the table. I lit up the phone to see Imogen’s message: “Red wine steak on the table, I’m in bed, waiting for you.” It was obvious Imogen did this on purpose. She’s Asher’s assistant and must know tonight is our anniversary. This blatant provocation used to make me cry, fearing losing Asher. But now, I feel nothing. Whoever wants this trash of a man can have him. I asked the waiter to dump all the dishes and handed the necklace to a begging woman on the street as I left. She gratefully bowed to me repeatedly. Back home, I dialed Gideon’s number: “Senior, about the scriptwriting job you mentioned last time, I’ve decided to join.” “That’s great, Eloise! Professor Griffin always said you were the best filmmaker. It’s a shame Asher ‘privatized’ you. When you decided to be a housewife, Professor Griffin even cried.” “Please tell Professor Griffin, Eloise took a detour, but Eloise is coming back.” 0
Asher returned home to get his phone, telling me the project needed an all-nighter revision and I should sleep without waiting for him. I pretended not to notice the red marks on his neck and nodded indifferently, continuing to revise the script for the upcoming shoot. He glanced swiftly at it, clicking his tongue with disdain. “You’ve been out of the film industry for so long. Looking at these again is pointless.” I rolled my eyes silently. Ever since becoming a housewife, Asher’s appreciation for my artistic pursuits turned into sarcasm. Seeing my displeasure, he softened his tone. “It’s my fault for not spending enough time with you. That’s why you’re bored and keep flipping through these old things.” He suddenly draped his arm over my shoulder, reaching for my shirt button. “Eloise, let’s have a child. Having a kid with you is better than being idle all day.” He leaned behind me, his breath heavy. I could smell Imogen’s perfume on him. The strong sandalwood scent made me nauseous. I didn’t want to touch him at all. Fresh from her bed, now wanting intimacy with me. Doesn’t he find it repulsive? I excused myself to the bathroom, brushing off his hand, locking the door behind me. Disgust overwhelmed me like a tide. I used to want children so desperately, clinging to him every night to have one. He said he didn’t like kids, so he refused. Now, the child I’m carrying, I got pregnant only by faking taking birth control. I originally planned to reveal it after three months, betting he’d soften and keep the baby. But during a prenatal checkup, I saw him accompanying Imogen for her checkup; she was three weeks ahead of me. Watching him carefully protect Imogen, I realized he didn’t dislike kids, just didn’t want them with me. My heart went cold at that moment, and I immediately switched my registration to schedule an abortion. Now Asher wants a child with me only because he feels guilty about his betrayal, thinking a child would make up for it. I wonder if he’ll break down when he finds out I’d rather have an abortion than have his child. When I emerged from the bathroom, he had already taken a call and left quickly. I was glad for the peace, closing the door and getting a good night’s sleep. The next day, I went to the hospital early. As the cold anesthetic entered my body, tears fell uncontrollably. I’m sorry, baby, I once hoped for you to come, and now I’m sending you away. But I know you’d support my decision. The procedure was over quickly, and when I opened my eyes again, the nurse told me I could go home. “Ma’am, are you alone? Do you want me to call your husband to pick you up?” I shook my head, leaning against the wall to slowly leave. Behind me, I could still faintly hear the nurses gossiping. “So pitiful, her man didn’t show up.” “Love-struck fool. Hospitals can’t cure that.” I smiled wryly to myself; they weren’t wrong. My brain was waterlogged with love for Asher. Now, this is the price I pay. At the hospital entrance, I bumped into a couple. As I struggled to get up, our eyes met. Across from me, Asher was supporting Imogen, looking at me in panic. 0
“Honey, what are you doing at the maternity ward?” I coughed lightly, brushing it off: “Just picking up a test report.” “What about you guys?” My gaze fell on Imogen’s slightly bulging belly, waiting curiously for their explanation. “Imogen’s boyfriend is on a business trip, so he asked me to accompany her for a checkup.” Asher answered hastily, while Imogen cast him a resentful look. I didn’t expose the lie, just responded with a nonchalant “oh.” Suddenly, a loud cry erupted behind us. A pregnant woman, crazed, was charging through the crowd. “Compensation! Heartless hospital, give me back my child!” “It’s a medical dispute, clear the area!” someone shouted. But the hospital was crowded, and she was strong; we didn’t have time to evade. As she was about to crash into Imogen and me, Asher clung tightly to Imogen, shielding her in his arms. Because of my frail body, the force of her collision sent me sprawling to the ground. “So painful…” I clutched my stomach, waves of pain radiating from my abdomen, blood flowing from between my legs. The surrounding people screamed in alarm: “Someone’s bleeding! Someone’s bleeding! Doctor, hurry!” Asher let go of Imogen and rushed over. Seeing my blood, panic flooded his eyes: “Honey, does it hurt? I’ll take you to emergency now.” I was in too much pain to speak, reaching out for him to lift me. “Oh my God, Imogen, it hurts so much, where are you, honey?” Hearing Imogen’s cries, his attention instantly shifted to her. He didn’t even have time to explain why she called him “honey” before instinctively letting go of my hand and running to her. Imogen had scraped her hand on a nearby stone, a small cut bleeding slightly. “It hurts so much, I’m dying, Asher, I’m so scared.” She sobbed in his arms, her pitiful look tugging at his heart as he gently patted her back to comfort her. “It’s okay, I’m here. I’ll take you to the emergency room right away.” He gritted his teeth, lifting her in his arms, heading straight for the emergency room. Only then did he remember I was still sitting where I fell, looking guilty as he said to me: “Imogen’s so spoiled, cries all day over a little scratch, and being pregnant, she’s more urgent. I’ll take care of her first.” “The emergency room is just a few steps away; walk slowly and endure it for a bit.” “I’ll come back to the emergency room for you after I take her to the maternity ward.” She lay sobbing on Asher’s chest, her vulnerable appearance tugging at his heartstrings. He gently patted her back, trying to soothe her. “Don’t worry, I’m here. I’ll get you to the emergency room right away.” With a determined look, he picked her up and rushed to the emergency room. Only when he was leaving did he remember I was still sitting there. With a guilty expression, he said to me, “Imogen is very sensitive. Even the smallest scratch makes her cry all day, and she’s pregnant, so she needs immediate attention. I’ll take care of her first.” “The emergency room is just a short walk away. You can take your time and hang in there.” “I’ll come back for you after I take her to the maternity ward.” I was in such pain that I had to keep my eyes shut. I couldn’t even move my legs, and my lower abdomen felt unbearably heavy. Luckily, since the incident happened right at the hospital entrance, two medical staff carried me on a stretcher to the emergency room immediately. After the surgery and fall, the doctor advised me to stay in the hospital for a couple of days to rest. As the nurse was transferring me to the ward, I overheard a conversation between the nurses. “That pregnant woman had just a small scratch, and her husband made such a scene, rushing her to the emergency room and even kneeling to beg the doctor. It was like something out of a TV drama!” “That’s love for you. A good man like that is hard to find.” I smiled to myself, feeling the irony of it all. A man who leaves his seriously injured wife but kneels for a mistress with a minor scratch is indeed a rare find. Asher and Imogen were becoming more and more repulsive to me. I’ve never felt such a strong urge to leave. 04 After settling into the ward, I turned on my phone and saw Imogen’s Snapchat. There was Asher, wearing an apron and bending over to make chicken soup for her, something he never did for me. Her caption read, “Have you ever tasted his love-filled chicken soup?” It was another post visible only to me, Imogen’s declaration of war was clear. I didn’t respond, just informed the doctor that no family would be visiting, and I could sign any paperwork myself. After all, Asher had probably forgotten all about picking me up. When Imogen saw I wasn’t reacting, she couldn’t resist sending me a private message to taunt me. First, a photo of Asher massaging her feet, then a video of the two whispering intimately, all too unbearable to watch. “He wanted me so many times, my back is sore.” “During it, he kept making me call him something like ‘daddy,’ saying the baby and I are both his precious ones.” Fed up with the harassment, I turned off my phone. After three days in the hospital, I decided to go home. I had discussed with Gideon that to save costs and speed up progress, we would head out to the wilderness for shooting the next day. He was in charge of buying tickets and notifying the crew, while I would go home and pack. When I got home, I found Asher there too. I was puzzled why he wasn’t at Imogen’s place, but he spoke first. “Even if I didn’t pick you up from the hospital that day, there’s no need to turn off your phone for three days and throw a tantrum, right?” I remembered I turned off my phone to avoid seeing their explicit videos, so I answered coldly, “The phone was out of battery.” “Imogen is timid and pampered. Her family and friends aren’t in River City, so I felt sorry for her and helped her first. You’re in your thirties and still jealous of a young girl? Eloise, aren’t you being childish?” “After my dad died, I have no other relatives or friends in this world.” My tone was calm, but his face turned stiff. My dad and I depended on each other. Since he passed away, Asher was the only family I had left. “Eloise, I’m sorry, I forgot. It’s my fault. Are your knees better now?” This jerk only had eyes for Imogen. He even remembered my injury wrong. Tired of his insincere words, I went straight into the room to pack my luggage. He followed, hugging me from behind. “Today is your birthday, and I want to celebrate it with you.” “Imogen said she wants to come and help celebrate too, and apologize. I booked the most popular Michelin restaurant. Let’s have a good meal tonight.” “Wife, you’ll always be the most important person to me.” He kept murmuring sweet nothings in my ear, but I was already beyond caring. Asher was so caught up in his act that he almost believed it himself, his eyes glistening with tears. As the audience, all I felt was profound embarrassment, remembering he could make the same solemn promises to two women. I plugged my original phone in to charge and immediately saw over a hundred missed calls from him and a message from Imogen. “Sis, you must come to dinner tonight. I’ve prepared a big gift for you.” It seemed Imogen planned to confront me tonight, but she wouldn’t get the chance. Still, I was curious about Asher’s reaction. I smirked and handed him a manila envelope. “Sure, I have a gift for you too. Open it at the dinner.” He took the envelope, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes as he frowned. “A gift? You don’t work and have no money. What could you possibly give me?” “It’s definitely a surprise. You’ll see when you open it.” At six in the evening, I was at the airport gate, admiring the sunset through the window. The plane would take off in 30 minutes. Asher sent a video call request. “Wife, I’m here. Did you leave yet? Wait, why are you at the airport?” He was in a new suit and had his hair styled, perfect for the upcoming surprise. “Don’t ask yet, just open the gift I gave you.” “This is… a divorce agreement? Wife, is this a joke? Don’t be silly!” Asher’s face was full of panic, his hand holding the divorce agreement trembling. “Shh, I’m not joking, be patient, Asher. There’s more to the surprise.” At this moment, the restaurant waiter brought over a stack of photos just as I’d arranged earlier. Asher, full of doubt, began to flip through them. With each one, his expression grew darker. He probably never imagined that the intimate scenes in the car would be captured on the dashcam and printed out for him to see. The photos scattered helplessly on the floor as he mumbled, “I can explain…” “No need, Asher. You know exactly what you’ve done. Our marriage is over. Starting today, after two years of separation, the divorce agreement will take effect.” “Just focus on being a good dad.”
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296664”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #狼人Werewolf
Leave a Reply