In the Neurology Department, a patient caused a ruckus, a pen’s tip dangerously close to jabbing my eye. While I was still reeling in shock, my fiancé Everett was busy shielding Dean’s daughter, Addie, in his arms. Afterward, he meticulously checked Addie’s condition, completely oblivious to my trembling hands behind him. I stared at the dazzling diamond necklace around her neck, which pained my eyes. It was the very necklace I’d seen in Everett’s jacket pocket. I thought it was a belated birthday gift meant for me. [Cora, you’re so pitiful. Everett doesn’t love you anymore, yet you still cling to him. Look, did he even glance at you?] Oh? Is that so. [Among his mistresses, you’re the chattiest.] After replying to the text message, I immediately bought a flight back to A City scheduled for three days later. In my left hand, I still held the phone connected to my dad’s call: “You’ve been away for three years for Everett, and Grandpa’s health has worsened. Come back and get the wedding done.” In my right hand was the pregnancy test result I had planned to show Everett half an hour ago. Suppressing my sobs, I said, “Dad, wait for me. I’ll be back in three days.” The next moment, I tore up the pregnancy test report and tossed it in the trash. It’s been three years, and my wedding with Everett has been postponed again and again, six times just for the ceremony. He’s either too busy, needs a promotion, or there’s a sudden increase in workload… I’m done waiting. Today after work, I didn’t wait for Everett to leave together, which was unusual. As soon as I started the car, the door opened, and Everett got into the back seat, looking displeased. “Not waiting for me? Do you have an attitude now?” I stayed silent, focusing on driving, and he added, “You should apologize to Addie; she cried this afternoon, saying you called her a homewrecker. Cora, I didn’t expect you to be this kind of person; Addie’s such a pure and kind girl.” Sure, she’s pure and kind. Everyone in the department talks about how Dean’s daughter Addie is lovesick, frequently visiting Everett’s office. I was genuinely amused. “Everett, do you remember what I said when we started dating?” “Are you serious? You’ve said so much; how could I remember every word?” He was a bit impatient. “I once said my future husband could be lazy, could be greedy, but must not be a womanizer. Do you remember that?” “Men in today’s society are so stressed because you feminists have distorted the atmosphere.” He rubbed his temples, pretending to lose interest in the topic. Both of us returned home with tense expressions, and Everett went to shower first. He took a long time in the shower, seemingly on a lengthy phone call. I didn’t bother with him. When he came out, I quickly closed my laptop. “You didn’t cook?” He seemed slightly stiff, seeing the dark kitchen and the empty dining table. His stomach isn’t great, and with the busy, irregular schedule of a doctor, I’ve been cooking for him for three years. “Order takeout yourself; I’m pretty busy these days too.” I was telling the truth. “You’re just a nurse. I don’t know what you busy yourself with all day.” He looked displeased, fiddling with his phone. Passing by him, I glimpsed that he wasn’t ordering takeout but messaging Addie: [Still hungry. I’ll eat you tonight.] I quietly picked up the cat bowl, planning to feed Purr. Purr is a gentle blue cat Everett gave me when I followed him to Seaside City three years ago to comfort me when I missed home. But after pouring the cat food, Purr was nowhere to be seen. I panicked a bit, calling out, and Everett impatiently looked up: “Stop calling. I sent Purr to Addie’s place; she’ll bring him back in a few days.” I threw down the cat bowl: “That’s my cat! How could you just give him away?” Everett looked displeased: “Addie has depression; I’m her attending doctor. For the patient’s sake, you shouldn’t be so petty!” He slammed the door and left. As I calmed down, a chill ran down my spine. Everett wouldn’t take Purr out to play. Addie must have been to my house; otherwise, how would she like and take Purr? I went mad searching the house. Finally, in the crack of the guest room headboard, I found a black lace bra and a torn condom wrapper. What a coincidence. Half a month ago, to monitor Purr’s activity at home, I bought a camera. I only tested it but wasn’t good at setting it up, so I left it alone. I opened the app to check. The footage was unclear, but the audio was crystal clear. A week ago, when I was on the night shift, Addie asked, “Who excites you more, me or that woman?” Everett, panting, replied: “She’s so boring; she can’t compare to your wild charms.”
To avoid Everett, I switched hospitals for the miscarriage procedure. The tiny child, so pitiful, left only a photo. I rested for only half a day before going to retrieve Purr. With Addie’s bra in hand, I was about to knock when I heard Addie’s playful laughter from inside: “Do you like eating me or the food I make?” “Of course, it’s you,” came Everett’s voice. No wonder Everett’s been coming home less and less lately. With the busy and irregular life of a doctor, Everett often stayed overnight at the office. I never doubted it. Turns out he was keeping a mistress here. I opened TikTok on my phone, logged into an alternate account, and sure enough, found an account named “Addie.” In it, the two of them and the cat were cuddled together, smiling sweetly. Caption: “Let’s be happy together forever.” How ridiculous. They’re happy together; what am I? Maybe Purr smelled my scent because the chubby cat suddenly jumped into my arms from somewhere. I hugged it and kissed it hard. The door opened behind me, and Everett’s face briefly showed a mix of embarrassment and shock, quickly returning to a cold demeanor: “What are you doing here?” “Everett, shouldn’t I be asking why you’re here?” “I’m seeing a patient. Is there a problem?” “Then continue.” I turned to leave with the cat in my arms. “Everett, you promised to let the cat stay with me for three days. How could you break your promise?” Addie’s coquettish voice came from behind. A large hand suddenly reached out, snatching Purr from my arms. My body was still weak, and I almost stumbled. The cat returned to Addie’s arms. She stood behind Everett, provocatively raising her eyebrows at me, then went inside. Perhaps realizing he had gone too far, Everett pulled me to a corner and wrapped his arms around my waist: “Cora, I’m sorry. Pets are an important part of treating patients. Addie’s condition is unstable. I promise, in three days, I’ll bring Purr home.” I knocked away his arms: “Treat however you want! Why tell me all this?” With that, I threw the lace bra in Everett’s face. Everett’s face turned pale, then he looked up at me: “Cora, you’ve misunderstood. I don’t know whose that is.”
Once-loving people somehow rot in secret, leaving me at a loss for words. Maybe it was the miscarriage, maybe it was the blood loss, but I felt dizzy. Suddenly, a scream came from Addie’s room. Along with Purr’s cries. Everett dashed inside, then minutes later, carried Addie to the elevator entrance. Addie’s head rested on Everett’s chest, sobbing: “That little beast bit me, Everett. Is my hand ruined?” Her left hand dangled down, indeed with two cat bite marks, bleeding a little. “I’m taking Addie to get vaccinated. Go home.” Everett frowned, rushing into the elevator. I turned to look at Purr, wobbling as it walked, likely kicked a few times, vomiting after only a few steps. [Your cat is as annoying as you. So hateful.] A text message from Addie popped up. I couldn’t be bothered to reply, stumbled into a cab home, cleaned up Purr and myself, and only collapsed into bed late at night. In the morning, I was woken by the sound of the range hood in the kitchen. I was surprised to see Everett cooking. He never cooks. In all these years, I’ve made every meal. Could he know about the miscarriage, feeling guilty? I brushed my hair in my room, walked out, but he was gone. Along with the food he prepared. Half an hour later, I checked Addie’s TikTok with my alternate account, and sure enough: “Got bitten by a bad kitty, but Everett made me a heartfelt breakfast. MUA~” I closed the page, just as Human Resources sent me the Resignation Confirmation. I signed it without hesitation. I didn’t go to the hospital all morning, and at noon, Everett seemed uneasy when I didn’t bring him a heartfelt lunch. Around one o’clock, he suddenly came home. Was it possible he found out about my miscarriage and felt a pang of conscience? After tidying my hair in the room, I stepped out of the bedroom to find he was already gone, along with the meal he had just made. Half an hour later, I logged into an alternate TikTok account to check Addie’s TikTok. As expected, there was a post: “Got a bite from a naughty dog, and my sweet breakfast was made by my silly guy. MUA~” I closed the page just as HR sent me the confirmation of my resignation. I signed it without a second thought. I didn’t go to the hospital at all that morning. By noon, Everett seemed unsettled, noticing I hadn’t brought him his usual lunch. Around one o’clock, he unexpectedly came home. I was packing my things. Thankfully, we didn’t have kids, so there wasn’t much to take. “I brought you something to eat,” he said, holding up a takeout bag. Cold cake and iced coffee. I had just undergone a miscarriage procedure—I couldn’t eat that. Addie had texted me: [Cora, what you’re eating is just our leftovers. Enjoy it. Don’t choke.] I looked at my phone, resisting the urge to smash it. From Addie’s alternate TikTok account, I learned Everett had just come from her place. He took her to Nian Nian Restaurant, the one I’d been asking to visit for ages, but he always claimed to be too busy. Everett didn’t notice anything. After a few minutes of me scrolling on my phone, he suddenly got irritated. “Cora, who are you making that face for? Eat it or don’t, whatever!” “I don’t want to eat your and Addie’s leftovers, alright?” I replied bluntly. “Cora, Addie’s hand hasn’t recovered yet. I just took her for a simple meal. Is this necessary? Besides, she’s the Dean’s Daughter. You can’t help with my promotion, so can’t I find another way?” Seeing my pale face, his tone softened slightly: “I know I’ve been busy lately and neglected you. I’m going on a business trip these days. When I come back, I’ll spend quality time with you.” “Oh.” My response was flat. It doesn’t matter anymore, Everett. Delayed affection is worth less than grass. By the time you return from your trip, I’ll be long gone from Seaside City. 4. The flight at 10 PM, I’m the kind of person who never looks back once I let go. However, I had a box in Everett’s office, containing more than ten precious photos from our time together: The day I agreed to be his girlfriend, Our first Chinese New Year in Seaside City, The day he got the Associate Professorship… I wanted to take that box back. I didn’t want to leave anything for him. When I appeared at Everett’s office, he was busy. He looked so handsome while working seriously. Who would know how rotten he was inside? I asked him where the box was. “It’s in the cabinet gathering dust. Addie got curious a few days ago and took it to look.” “Do you even know what it is before letting someone take it?” I was a bit angry. “It’s definitely not those photos you like to take. I hate taking pictures, you know that. I’m busy, don’t cause trouble, okay?” He frowned, practically shooing me away. How ridiculous, Everett. Shouldn’t you check Addie’s TikTok account? You’ve made 298 short videos with her. I turned to find Addie. She claimed she was sick but was actually doing nothing in her exclusive VIP Room all day. When I arrived, she was cutting something on the bed. Next to the bed was a pried-open box. “Oh, you’re here. Look, do you think Everett and I are a match?” She held up a photo where my face was cut out and replaced with hers. I bit my lip and said hoarsely, “A perfect match indeed.” I should thank her. I would’ve burned those photos if I got them back. “You’re such a bitch, Cora. Get out of here, don’t let me see you again.” I successfully angered Addie, and she slapped me. My face burned with pain, but I didn’t hold back. I slapped her back. “Do you believe I’ll tell your Dean Father about you seducing someone else’s man?” “Oh, am I supposed to be scared of you? Everett and I are competing fairly. Even if you told the King of Heaven, it wouldn’t matter!” Addie swayed in front of me, laughing. She laughed as if she really looked sick. The building alarm blared, and someone yelled, “Earthquake.” People rushed to the escape route. Yet, Addie and I acted as if we didn’t hear it. The table and chairs shook violently in the room. A cup on the table shattered on the ground. “No, Addie, you can have him. I don’t want him.” I was curious and asked, “When did you two get together?” “We got together on Valentine’s Day. You’re the homewrecker between Everett and me. The unloved one is the homewrecker!” Really, February 14th. How laughable. On February 14th this year, Everett even pulled me to book a wedding photoshoot in the morning. How did he end up in bed with someone else so quickly, secretly for almost ten months? While thinking about this, the entire building shook more violently, The door was suddenly pushed open, and Everett rushed in. “There’s an earthquake! What are you doing standing there!” He shouted at Addie, pulling her towards the escape route. It was too crowded, too packed. He protected her, holding her in his arms, pushing through the crowd. I didn’t know if he was blind or if I just wasn’t in his heart anymore, Standing right beside Addie, he didn’t see me. I just stood there, quietly watching their backs disappear down the corridor. 5 I escaped the scene in a sorry state and went back to collect myself. Fastened my collar, put on my coat, and headed to the airport alone. While waiting at the gate, I saw Everett again. He was dragging a suitcase, holding Addie’s hand. They were chatting and laughing. So, the business trip he mentioned was with her. I watched them check their luggage. He carried her handbag, “It’s too heavy, I’ll do it.” He didn’t let Addie lift a finger, personally loading all the luggage onto the conveyor belt. I recalled our last vacation together, which was last year. I had to persuade him to take just a three-day leave. With his long legs, I had to jog behind him with my suitcase to catch the plane. I wanted him to help carry my bag. “My hands are for surgery. Carrying too much can sprain my wrist.” He frowned and refused. Back then, I thought, yeah, I really am inconsiderate. Haha, I’m truly slow to catch on. We dated for three years in college, worked together for three years after graduation, He promised he’d love me forever. … “Addie, I think I saw Cora.” At the boarding gate, Everett seemed suspicious, turning to look around. But there was no sign of me, only the announcement echoing in the bright hall. “You’re imagining things, Everett. I don’t care. Before New Year’s Day, you must end things with that Cora. I want you all to myself. Your mind can only have me!” … Two planes took off in succession but flew in different directions.
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295413”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #励志Inspiring #浪漫Romance #校园School #魔幻Magic #重生Reborn #惊悚Thriller
Leave a Reply