For ten years, my CEO wife, Chloe, had consistently ghosted on our vacation plans. This year was no different; she cancelled our long weekend getaway, claiming she had to go on another urgent business trip. Yet, moments later, I received a message from Dylan, the man she truly loved. It was a picture of him and Chloe on a family outing, a wide smile on her face as she played with a child. “Ryan,” the text read, “if I’m not mistaken, she probably told you she had a business trip, didn’t she? After all these years, it’s hilarious you still fall for that excuse.” “Guess where she’s taking me this time?” My gaze locked onto the corner of the photo, where a boarding pass clearly showed “Fairbanks, Alaska.” I typed back immediately: “Couldn’t care less if you went to hell.” Not long after, Chloe’s furious call came through. “Dylan was just sharing his life, and you’re being so petty! Why do you have to pick a fight with him over everything?” “You apologize to Dylan right now. I’ll make it up to you, I promise I’ll find time to go on a trip with you when I get back from my business trip.” Listening to her make yet another empty promise, I mumbled a few dismissive words before hanging up. But she didn’t know. I’d already discovered she had a pair of twin boys with another man. In three days, my divorce petition would be finalized. It was time for this marriage, built on a foundation of lies, to end.
I stared at the dozens of angry calls from my wife, Chloe Thompson. I’d just snapped at Dylan, the man she truly loved, and she immediately jumped to his defense, practically demanding I get on my knees and apologize. Anyone who didn’t know us would have thought Dylan was her husband. The screen went dark again. Perhaps her patience had run out; the frantic ringing stopped. Instead, a few SnapChat messages popped up. They were from Chloe: “Ryan, apologize to Dylan right now. I promise you, I’ll take you on vacation when I get back.” “Haven’t you always wanted to see the Northern Lights? We can go to Fairbanks and see them.” A bitter laugh escaped me. Fairbanks, Alaska, the exact place she was supposedly going on her “business trip.” Did she have to take Dylan to every single place I ever dreamed of? I didn’t want to deal with it and was about to turn off my phone when another message from Dylan appeared. It was a family photo. Even without zooming in, I could clearly make out Chloe’s slender figure. “Ryan, I honestly can’t believe it. You know your wife has a whole other family, and you’ve tolerated it for years. How can you stand it? You must have been a spineless coward in your past life.” “Given your years of patience, I’ll tell you one more thing: about Chloe’s hospitalization abroad three years ago.” “She told you she had uterine fibroids and needed foreign medical treatment, but that was a lie. I came up with that excuse for her. I just never thought you’d believe it so easily, or that you’d even thoughtfully give her your life savings.” “Actually, she went abroad that year to give birth to my children. I wanted her to have them in a local hospital, but she insisted on flying overseas, considering you…” I didn’t read the rest of the lengthy text. I had no desire to. Three years into our marriage, all my friends were raising families, and I envied them deeply. I went back to Chloe and told her I wanted a child, but she said her career was taking off, and a baby would only be a burden. Two more years passed. Just when I finally got her to agree, she broke down in tears, telling me she had uterine fibroids and had already contacted a doctor abroad for a minor surgery that would make her healthy again. That trip lasted three years. When she finally returned, she told me, with red eyes, that the surgery had gone wrong, and she could never have children. I still remember her sobbing uncontrollably that day: “Ryan, I’m so sorry. I made you wait all these years, and I still couldn’t fulfill your dream of becoming a father.” Looking at her swollen, red eyes, my heart ached as I said, “It’s okay, Chloe. As long as you’re healthy, it’s fine if things stay this way.” I thought Chloe and I would adopt a child and live out our lives together. But then, Dylan, her true love, suddenly sent me a pregnancy confirmation. It boldly displayed my wife, Chloe Thompson’s, name. I thought it was a prank, one of Dylan’s tricks to mess with me, and I dismissed it several times. Deep down, I still believed Chloe’s heart belonged only to me. It wasn’t until I received another photo from Dylan, showing children strikingly similar to Chloe, that I had no choice but to believe. That pregnancy confirmation was real. She had indeed given birth to Dylan’s children behind my back, twins no less. She even used her health as an excuse to deceive me, all to keep me from suspecting. The thought sent a sharp, stabbing pain through my heart. The excruciating pain in my palm brought me back to reality. I angrily blocked and deleted Dylan from SnapChat. A moment later, Mr. Henderson, our butler, came over, holding a gift box. “Master Ryan, this is a birthday present from Miss Chloe.” With that, Mr. Henderson opened the box. Inside was an exquisite watch. Its design clearly indicated it was custom-made. My heart sank at the butler’s words. Staring at the expensive watch, I suddenly remembered Chloe’s promise years ago that she would spend every one of my birthdays with me, wholeheartedly. Ever since Dylan reappeared, her promises had become empty words. Whether she was with me or not, she always prepared a gift for me every year. However, this was the fourth time she’d given me this exact watch. Yet, the gifts she gave Dylan were always new and unique, each one clearly chosen with more care than this watch. I snapped a few pictures of the watch and casually listed it on eBay, setting the starting bid at $10. Mr. Henderson, seeing my slight smile, assumed I was chatting with Chloe and said contentedly, “Seeing you two so happy together, I can rest easy.” I didn’t reply. After a few more polite words, the butler left. Just as I was about to head upstairs, my phone buzzed with an update on the divorce application I’d submitted earlier. The papers would be finalized in three days. I gripped my phone, my eyes darkening. It was truly time for this marriage, steeped in lies, to end.
No sooner had I packed up the watch than Mr. Henderson came in with a package. “Master Ryan, this package is a bit damaged. The delivery person required a signature. Could you please check if everything inside is alright?” I took the package from Mr. Henderson, my mind puzzled. I hadn’t ordered anything recently. I instinctively knew it couldn’t be Chloe’s; she never bought things online. I personally purchased all her daily necessities; she wouldn’t touch such things. It wasn’t until I saw the recipient’s name on the shipping label that my shocked expression softened. It was indeed Chloe’s package. At Mr. Henderson’s urging, I opened the box. Inside were two pairs of children’s shoes. Mr. Henderson looked equally surprised: “This… could it be that Miss Chloe is pregnant? Didn’t she say she could never—” Before Mr. Henderson could finish, Chloe’s call came through. Her voice was hurried, laced with a hint of nervousness: “Ryan, did a package just arrive at the house? Did you…” I didn’t wait for her to finish. I already knew what she was going to say. Looking at the children’s shoes in the box, I calmly replied: “Just got it. Don’t worry, I’ve signed for it.” She paused, then after a long silence, said, “Good. Don’t overthink it. Those are gifts for a friend’s children. He helped me out a great deal before, and I’m just showing my appreciation.” A bitter laugh escaped me. They were clearly for Dylan’s twin boys, yet she still came up with such a flimsy excuse. I couldn’t help but snap back, “Is that friend named Dylan?” At my words, Chloe’s tone instantly changed: “Ryan, what are you talking about? Are you mad I didn’t spend your birthday with you? Didn’t I promise you I’d make it up to you when I get back from my time off?” “Stop dragging Dylan into everything! How many times do I have to tell you, we’re just friends!” I tightened my grip on the gift box, smiling as I asked, “Then why were you in such a hurry to call back? Aren’t you just afraid I’ll go confront Dylan?” I expected her to explode, but she merely mumbled a few words: “You’re being completely unreasonable! I just didn’t want you to overthink things when you saw it. I can’t believe you’d think that of me. Looks like I worried about you for nothing!” I was somewhat surprised. Before, whenever I mentioned Dylan in front of her, she’d ignite like a powder keg, ready to explode at the slightest spark. But any lingering doubts vanished the next second when I heard a child’s tender voice on the phone. Then I realized: she hadn’t changed; she was just trying not to argue with me in front of the kids. Before I could speak, she hung up, leaving me with a dead line. She kept claiming that she and Dylan were just friends, yet she turned around and had children with him. Were they really just friends? Just then, Chloe’s Ragdoll cat, Maoqiu, suddenly ran over. My eyes darkened. I immediately tried to leave, but it was too late. Red spots were already appearing on my arm. In moments, the few scattered spots became a full-blown rash all over my body, itching intensely, even swelling. I was highly allergic to cat fur, but Chloe still insisted on keeping the cat, simply because Dylan had given it to her. I’d even given her the cold shoulder for a month over it. She brushed it off, a look of disdain on her face: “It’s just a minor allergy, isn’t it? I’ll buy you some allergy medicine, that’s all. Only a cold-hearted person like you would shut out such a cute cat!” The swollen area on my body grew larger. I quickly went to find my allergy medicine. But I rummaged through the medicine cabinet several times, and there was no allergy medicine inside. My body felt worse and worse, even my breathing became difficult. My head felt increasingly heavy, and the next second, I lost consciousness. When I woke up, I overheard Mr. Henderson on the phone with Chloe. Mr. Henderson was elderly and used the speakerphone when taking calls. Chloe’s cold voice crackled through the phone: “It’s just a minor allergy. Is it worth calling me in the middle of the night for this? Can’t you just buy him some allergy medicine? You’ve been with the Thompson family for years; do I really need to teach you such things?” “And by the way, don’t bother me with trivial matters like this again!” Through the crack in the door, I saw that before Mr. Henderson could speak, she had already hung up. I chuckled to myself, a bitter, self-deprecating sound. I should have expected this outcome. What was I still hoping for? Mr. Henderson entered the room, looking at me with a sympathetic expression.
After a day of observation, the doctor finally discharged me. As soon as I finished the discharge procedures, I received a message from the family court. With the divorce certificate in hand, I took a taxi home. As I approached the main gate, I heard laughter and lively chatter from inside. I thought Chloe had returned early. I intended to give her the divorce certificate and explain everything to her face. The next second, I heard Mrs. Thompson, Chloe’s mother, and her second aunt, Aunt Margaret, speaking: “If Chloe hadn’t been so stubborn about marrying him back then, I never would have allowed him into our Thompson family!” “Anyway, Chloe and Dylan have children now. Ryan is utterly useless. When he gets back, we’ll just make him sign the divorce papers!” Aunt Margaret immediately chimed in, “Yes, yes. The children are growing up in the blink of an eye. You should enjoy the blessings of having grandchildren.” I clenched my fists. So, their entire family knew Chloe had given birth to twins with another man, and I was the only one kept in the dark, foolishly believing her for all these years. I pushed open the door, my face cold. The two women turned, startled. “Are you a ghost! Don’t you make a sound when you walk!” Mrs. Thompson impatiently glared at me, her face darkening: “What are you standing around for? Go make some tea! I don’t know what you learned in all those etiquette lessons over the years. You’re still so unrefined, a disgrace to look at.” Back then, Mrs. Thompson despised my humble origins. Although she agreed to my marriage with Chloe, she privately enrolled me in various etiquette classes, hinting repeatedly that I was unworthy of her daughter, and if I didn’t practice diligently, her daughter would embarrass the Thompson family when taking me out. Though I was utterly unwilling, thinking of Chloe’s difficult relationship with her mother because of me, I endured everything, doing exactly as Mrs. Thompson wished. But I never imagined that after all these years, she still looked down on me. When I brought them two cups of hot tea, Aunt Margaret vigorously nudged Mrs. Thompson, giving her a pointed look. Just as I was about to head upstairs, Mrs. Thompson directly flung a divorce agreement at me. She said coldly, “Wait a moment. Sign this divorce agreement first.” She paused, then continued, “This is Chloe’s wish too. She’s too shy to say it, so as her mother, I naturally have to help her.” “I assume you overheard what Aunt Margaret and I were saying. I won’t hide it from you. Chloe has already had children outside this marriage. This divorce was bound to happen sooner or later.” I looked up at her. Regardless of whose wish it was, I already had the divorce certificate. This marriage was over no matter what, so what harm was there in signing another agreement? With that thought, I signed my name in a flash. Seeing my decisiveness, both women were stunned, as if they were dreaming. “May I leave now?” I asked, looking at their shocked expressions. Aunt Margaret instantly reacted, scoffing, “Yes, you should. You’re no longer the Thompson family’s son-in-law. There’s no reason for you to overstay your welcome.” Mrs. Thompson immediately followed up: “Mr. Henderson, quickly tell the staff to pack up his things. Make sure he’s out of the Thompson estate today.” Mr. Henderson heard her and was about to call the staff, but I stopped him: “No need. I’ll pack my own things.” Aunt Margaret, hearing this, her eyes glinted, mocked, “We’d better have someone watch him. Can’t guarantee he’ll be honest about taking his things. If anything goes missing, it’ll be our Thompson family’s money lost!” I ignored her and went straight upstairs, packing a few of my most used clothes. I didn’t touch any of the clothes Chloe had given me. I also placed the divorce certificate in a gift box and asked Mr. Henderson to give it to Chloe. After I finished everything, I dragged my luggage and left the Thompson estate. To my surprise, as soon as I stepped out the main gate, I overheard the servants saying they were preparing to welcome back the young masters who were living elsewhere in a couple of days. Only then did I realize that Mrs. Thompson was so eager for me to divorce because she wanted to welcome Dylan’s two sons into the family. The next day, Chloe returned from her time off, with Dylan trailing behind her. She walked in and looked around. Not seeing me, a strange sense of dread pounded in her chest. Dylan, however, scanned the living room, looking left and right, and asked, “Chloe, where’s Maoqiu? Did Ryan throw him out while you were gone?” Maoqiu was the Ragdoll cat’s name. Chloe frowned, remembering my allergy. She wanted to say something but didn’t. It wasn’t until Mr. Henderson said the cat had been sent for vaccinations that Chloe’s expression softened slightly. Then she asked, “Mr. Henderson, where’s Ryan?” Before Mr. Henderson could reply, Mrs. Thompson spoke from the stairs: “Ryan has left the Thompson estate.” Chloe looked confused: “Mom, what do you mean?!” Mrs. Thompson usually had strong opinions about me and often taunted me; it was commonplace. Chloe was about to say more, but her gaze shifted to the gift box in Mr. Henderson’s hand. Mr. Henderson handed the gift box to Chloe: “Master Ryan asked me to give this to you.” Chloe saw the familiar gift box, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. She remembered this was the box she’d used the first time she gave Ryan a gift. She hadn’t expected him to keep it for so long. Dylan, seeing the unusual look in her eyes, scoffed, “That box looks so old. Did Ryan just find some broken box to try and gross you out? Chloe, don’t even look at it.” “What good thing could possibly be in such a piece of junk? Ryan is probably just trying to play a trick on you. You’ll regret opening it.” The next second, Chloe opened it right in front of them. When she saw what was inside, her face instantly turned ashen. Everyone looked on in shock.
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