For five years of marriage, my husband Ian Fowler has celebrated my birthday every year on Christmas. Everyone says he loves me deeply. However, at the party, I overheard his friend asking him in German: “Did you break up with that assistant Juliet Howell? If Zoey finds out, she’ll definitely be furious.” Ian’s expression remained calm: “As long as the child is born, I’ll have her take it abroad to raise. I’ll pay her off with money.” After saying that, he turned around and gently took my hand, slipping a ring onto my finger: “This is your birthday gift for this year. Happy birthday, my darling.” Every year, Ian gives me a ring with special meaning. I forced a smile, but tears silently streamed down my face. He seemed to have forgotten that when he went to study in Germany years ago, I had struggled to learn German just to see him. I understood every word he said. ***** Seeing my tears, Ian’s calm expression instantly changed. He immediately embraced me, asking anxiously: “Darling, why are you crying? Did I do something to upset you?” I turned my head, and through my teary eyes, Ian’s handsome face became blurred. Even so, I could still keenly sense his concern for me. His anxious demeanor at this moment showed no trace of a cheating man. I was instantly speechless. No one would believe that Ian could betray me. When Ian and I first met, I was only seventeen. Due to family circumstances, I transferred to a school in an unfamiliar city. I was introverted then and easily isolated by classmates. I still remember someone leading others to hide my school uniform, causing me to be criticized by the teacher and made to stand for an entire class. Later, that prankster boy threw my dirty uniform back at me, covered with ink stains and grease. Ian couldn’t stand it anymore. He beat up that boy and forced him to wash the uniform clean before returning it. That day, sunlight fell on his deep-set eyes and brows. He flashed a mischievous smile and said: “If anyone bullies you in the future, tell me. I’ll deal with them for you.” From then on, I often followed behind Ian, and he became my only friend at school. He excelled academically, would help me with my studies, and take me running to exercise. He said he couldn’t be by my side protecting me forever. In our sophomore year, I fainted on the playground from malnutrition. He was so scared he rushed me to the hospital, terrified I had some serious condition. My friend told me that Ian was so anxious that day he nearly cried. After that, he always brought me delicious food from home. Over time, I actually gained quite a bit of weight. Later, we got into the same university together, naturally fell in love, even survived three years of long-distance relationship, and finally got married. But I couldn’t understand how that boy from years ago could become like this. I wiped the tears from my face and said: “I’m just so moved. Ian, will you always treat me this well for the rest of our lives?” I looked up at him seriously. Ian froze for a moment and instinctively turned his head away. He held me somewhat guiltily, avoiding my gaze. He said: “Of course, Zoey. I’ll treat you well for the rest of my life.” His voice still carried that reassuring strength. When we first started dating, I went through a period of insomnia, and Ian would coax me to sleep every night. He used to be a symbol of hope and love. But now, breathing in his warm, sunny scent in his embrace, I couldn’t help but feel lost. All I wanted to say was: “Liar! Ian, you’re such a liar!”
Three months ago, I discovered Ian’s affair. That day, I went to work at the hospital as usual. After a full day’s work, night had fallen. Ian sent me a message: [Honey, I have to work overtime today. Make sure you get home early.] I replied: [No problem, take care of yourself. I’m having dinner with Eloise today.] We’d been married for five years and together for ten. Ian always kept me informed of his whereabouts in detail. Whenever he got off work early, he’d always come pick me up. He’d once suggested hiring a full-time driver for my commute, but I declined. The hospital wasn’t far from home—a twenty-minute walk that served as good exercise. The chilly evening breeze picked up as I wrapped my coat tighter around me, left the hospital, and merged into the bustling street. I headed to the newly opened seafood restaurant as planned. My good friend Eloise Watson had just returned from a business trip and had been dying to try this place, insisting on dragging me out for dinner. The restaurant buzzed with conversation, aromas mingling with laughter and chatter filling the air. The scent of good food has a way of soothing the soul. My right eyelid had been twitching non-stop since morning. Noticing me constantly rubbing my eyelid, Eloise grinned mischievously and said, “Your eyelid’s been twitching for so long—something big’s definitely about to happen.” She devoured her lobster while piling more pieces onto my plate. I rubbed my eyes and protested, “I’m just tired, don’t be ridiculous.” Eloise continued eating and talking, “Ian makes so much money, why are you still working yourself to death? That little company of yours doesn’t even pay that well.” She stuck out her tongue, took a sip of her iced Coke, and frowned, “Zoey, I have to warn you—a man like Ian has plenty of women eyeing him. You need to keep a close watch on him.” Just as I was about to argue back, I caught sight of a familiar figure in my peripheral vision. Ian was dressed casually, accompanied by a woman in a white dress—they looked good together. Several men in suits were with them as they walked into a private dining room nearby. I frowned at the scene, thinking, “Didn’t Ian say he was working overtime? What’s he doing here?” Eloise hadn’t noticed. She looked up to see me spacing out and asked curiously, “What are you looking at?” I instinctively shook my head, “Nothing.” However, despite the delicious food before me, I’d lost my appetite. I texted Ian, asking where he was. Soon, he replied: [I’m at a seafood restaurant, treating some company employees to dinner. What’s up, baby?] Seeing this message, I felt relieved. Ian hadn’t lied to me. I replied: [Nothing, just wondering.] I put away my phone and continued dinner with Eloise. Half an hour later, Eloise headed home first, and I decided to wait for Ian so we could leave together. After paying the bill, I tossed the receipt in the trash, grabbed my purse, and sat on a chair outside the entrance.
About half an hour later, Ian emerged from the restaurant, surrounded by several colleagues. I was just about to stand up and call out to him when I heard one of them say to Ian in a teasing tone, “Mr. Fowler, thanks for treating us. We never expected you’d take us out for such a seafood feast.” Another person chimed in, “Well, we have Ms. Howell to thank for that. Mr. Fowler knew she loves seafood.” I thought to myself, “Ian’s secretary? Juliet? What does his choice of a seafood restaurant have to do with her?” Someone else added, “Come on, don’t say that. Mr. Fowler really takes good care of Ms. Howell. We’re all so envious.” Hearing this, Juliet lowered her head slightly, a shy expression crossing her face. The next second, I heard Ian’s clear and authoritative voice: “You guys have some nerve! I have a wife, so watch what you say. Juliet and I are strictly professional. If my wife heard this kind of talk, she’d be upset.” At that moment, I watched Juliet’s face instantly turn pale. I couldn’t help but feel relieved. It seemed Ian still knew his boundaries. I smiled and prepared to approach them, but suddenly someone rushed past and knocked my bag to the ground. By the time I got back on my feet, Ian had already disappeared into the street. I hurried after him and saw him enter the parking garage next door. I took the elevator downstairs to the parking garage. I called Ian’s phone, but no one answered. Soon, I heard the familiar ringtone. Following the sound, I found his car. However, what I saw next left me stunned. Ian was gripping Juliet’s wrist tightly, pushing her forcefully against the car door with both arms braced on either side of her waist. Despite the rough movement, the entire scene radiated an intimate atmosphere. “Juliet, don’t cause me any trouble,” Ian’s voice was cold and low. Juliet said, “I’m not! Didn’t you just say we only have a professional relationship? Then why are you trapping me here now? What’s this supposed to mean?” Her eyes were red as she stubbornly looked up at Ian, her beautiful face full of hurt. My heart clenched suddenly. Their current proximity had clearly gone far beyond any ordinary professional relationship. I frowned. Under my gaze, Ian slowly raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears on Juliet’s face. A faint smile appeared on his handsome features. He said, “Juliet, Zoey and I will never get divorced, so you’d better not provoke her, or you know what I’m capable of. But aside from marrying you, I can give you everything else.” Hearing those words, my hands involuntarily clenched into fists, my nails digging deep into my palms with sharp, piercing pain. And Juliet finally smiled, actively nestling into Ian’s embrace, her coy demeanor on full display. After being intimate for a while, they drove away together. I stood in the corner of the parking garage, watching their car gradually disappear from sight. It was a long time before I could force my stiff body to move and slowly leave. That night, I don’t know how I made it home. I only remember that Ian didn’t come home. He only sent me one message: [Baby, something urgent came up at work. I won’t be coming home tonight. Get some good rest.] Staring at the words on the screen, my heart felt like it was being cut by knives. My mind was in chaos, filled with all of Ian’s previous “overtime” excuses. Perhaps he had been lying to me all along. Later, I had someone follow Ian and sure enough, they captured photos of him and Juliet in various intimate interactions. From that point on, I kept thinking: “Ian really is quite the actor.” My thoughts gradually came back into focus. Seeing my silence, Ian leaned down to kiss my cheek, but I gently pulled away. Though I’d already decided to break up with Ian, I didn’t want to cause a scene in front of everyone. After all, we were all adults here, and we should at least give each other some dignity. So I made up an excuse: “The hospital called about a patient. I need to go.” Ian frowned, disappointment flickering across his face. “But it’s your birthday. Can’t you take a break just this once?” Like I used to, I reached up to smooth his brow, coaxing softly, “It’s okay. Besides, I still have that gift I prepared for you—it’s in my desk drawer at the hospital.” The day we made our relationship official happened to be my birthday. So Ian and I agreed to exchange gifts every year on this day. Every year, I would specially design a suit for him, and this year was no exception. Before his affair, I’d already finished the design, and these past three months gave me just enough time to complete the entire piece. Seeing my determination, Ian sighed helplessly, his expression turning indulgent. “Alright then, but at least blow out the candles before you go. I made this ice cream cake especially for you—if we wait much longer, it’ll melt.” I nodded. Ian smiled as he pulled me over to the cake, and I blew out the candles. Then he announced loudly, “I want to be with Zoey forever! I want to stay by her side for the rest of my life!” His words sparked cheers from everyone around us. “Ian, you’re too much! Showing off your love in front of all of us.” “Ian, you and Zoey have been together for almost ten years now, right? Your relationship is still so sweet—it’s honestly enviable.” Hearing this, I couldn’t help but freeze. Eleven years. This year marked the eleventh year Ian and I had been together. Yet he’d fallen for someone else. I quickly composed myself, looking at Ian with calm detachment as I pulled my hand from his grasp. “I’ll go get my things first,” I said. “I probably won’t be back tonight. Have fun with your friends.” With that, I turned and left. After handling the patient situation at the hospital, I returned to the club with the suit. This was our eleventh year together, and our final ending. I thought this kind of closure would at least be complete. But as soon as I reached the top of the stairs, I saw Juliet push open the private room door and walk inside. Standing at the doorway with the bag in my hands, my emotions were a tangled mess. I thought to myself: “Ian, are you really this impatient? You couldn’t even wait this short amount of time without having Juliet come keep you company.” A sharp pain shot through my chest, making it hard to breathe. I leaned against the wall, my eyes welling up without warning. Finally, I called Eloise. “Eloise,” I said, “about joining the research institute—I’ve decided to accept.” Recently, my hospital had a confidential project in Maine that required selecting outstanding doctors to participate in research experiments. The project focused specifically on brain tumor research. My father had died from a brain tumor, and my mother had succumbed to depression afterward. From the day I started studying medicine, my dream had been to conquer brain tumors. However, joining this project meant I couldn’t easily leave the research institute—it could be a few years at the shortest, or over a decade at the longest. The thought of being separated from Ian for so long had made me hesitate. Eloise was my colleague and also part of this project. When she learned about my hesitation, she’d called me “unprofessional.” Now that I’d suddenly agreed, she found it strange instead. “Are you serious?” she asked. “Weren’t you the one who couldn’t bear to leave Mr. Fowler?” I pressed my lips together. “I’ve figured it out. I should live for myself.” I didn’t tell Eloise about Ian’s betrayal. With her fiery temper, she’d definitely do something impulsive. After hanging up, I leaned against the wall, trying to steady my emotions.
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MyFiction” app 🔍 search for “397979”, and watch the full series ✨! #MyFiction #B×G #Cheating #regret #TrueLove #Crazy
Leave a Reply