The day before Valentine’s Day, I found a booking for a romantic hotel on my wife Celeste’s phone. I was overjoyed, thinking she had planned a surprise for me. But on the day itself, Celeste claimed she had a business trip and didn’t return home that night. It wasn’t until the hotel confirmation was accidentally sent to my phone that I called her with trembling hands. When the call connected, it was Celeste’s cherished first love, Finn, who appeared shirtless, looking at me disdainfully. “She’s still in the shower. Why don’t you call back later?” he said. I drove frantically to the hotel, and in the midst of our argument, Celeste didn’t hesitate to throw a vase at me. Before I completely lost consciousness, Finn stomped on my head in anger. “I’m not done yet, you loser! You ruined everything!” At that moment, my heart broke, and five years of feelings turned to dust. When Celeste called, I was carefully preparing a homemade meal. But when she said she had to work late and couldn’t come home, my actions froze, and my mood plummeted. “I’m sorry, honey. I’ll make it up to you with a gift. Please don’t be mad, okay?” “The company is paying double overtime today, plus other bonuses. I really don’t want to miss out.” After a moment, I sighed and replied, “But you promised you’d be back this morning. I made all your favorite dishes, and you…” Before I could finish, Celeste interrupted. “I said I’m sorry. What more do you want? Nolan, can you give me some space? Stop being so annoying.” Fireworks and cheers sounded from afar, lively and cheerful. But I only felt heartbroken. I quietly said “okay” and ended the call. All these dishes were Celeste’s favorites, and it took me three hours to make them. I tried everything to win her over, but now it seems it was all for nothing. A sour feeling spread through my heart as I sat alone, eating. Ten minutes later, my phone rang again. Thinking it was Celeste, I opened it, only to find a hotel check-in confirmation. My heart sank. I had indeed seen that romantic hotel booking on Celeste’s phone a few days ago. At that time, I thought it was a surprise she had planned and didn’t mention it. But now… I frowned and shakily called Celeste via video. After ringing several times, it finally connected. But it was Finn’s face, Celeste’s first love, that appeared on the screen. He was shirtless, looking at me impatiently. “Celeste is still in the shower. Call back later.” Behind him was the hotel’s big bed, with their clothes thrown together messily. I couldn’t believe it and questioned him, “Why are you two together? Don’t you know she’s married? Do you have any morals?” Finn smirked coldly at my words. “Morals? Are you serious, Nolan? Can’t even keep your woman, and now you’re blaming me?” “Besides, what can a guy like you, living off her, compare with me?” He hung up right after. Sitting in the chair, tears streamed uncontrollably down my face.
Celeste and I dated for two years and have been married for five. Before this incident, our relationship was good. She worked while I handled house chores. That was because her dad had cancer and needed someone to take care of him. Celeste couldn’t, so she forced me to quit my job. I took care of her dad for two years, and when I returned to work, my position was taken. Celeste said we didn’t need kids yet and her earnings were enough. So, she wanted me to continue managing the household. She gave me $2,000 a month for groceries, which wasn’t enough for rent and utilities. I was embarrassed to keep asking, so I took on freelance design work. Fortunately, my knowledge from back then helped, and I gradually became more financially stable, even saving $20,000. I didn’t feel I owed her anything. But now, in Celeste’s eyes, I’m just a man living off her. Thinking back to her recent coldness, I felt something was off. She must have reconnected with Finn, and I just noticed today. I went downstairs, drove to the hotel, and punched Finn in the face when the door opened. Finn and Celeste dated in college, but he dumped her for a rich girl. He even badmouthed Celeste behind her back, calling her a desperate admirer. Celeste was caught in a whirlwind of public opinion, almost getting depressed. I helped her out of it, yet they conspired together again. Finn lay on the ground, cursing at me, “Nolan, you really have the nerve to come here?” “You, a man living off her, can’t give Celeste happiness, and you dare hit me!” I was furious, pummeling him and venting all my grievances. Finn’s defiance turned into low pleas for mercy. Just as I was about to let him go, a sharp pain hit my head from behind. Celeste smashed a vase over my head, without hesitation. I collapsed amidst the vase shards. Celeste didn’t spare me a glance, helping Finn up with tears in her voice. “Finn, are you okay? If you’re hurt, my heart would break.” With the last bit of consciousness, I reached for my head, feeling blood on my hand. My shoulder and arm were cut by the vase shards, and I let out a small cry of pain. Celeste looked at me, her eyes full of malice and resentment. She was barely dressed, just wrapped in a bathrobe, her rhythm disrupted by me. “Nolan, let’s divorce. I’ve wanted out for a while now. You brought this on yourself.” Finn, regaining his strength, kicked me, “If you hadn’t interrupted, I’d be done by now. It’s all your fault, damn it.” “You were acting tough earlier, weren’t you? Come on, keep hitting.” On the verge of passing out, I struggled to pull out my phone to call for help. Celeste thought I was calling the police and snatched it away. “It’s just a hit. Do you have to act like you’re dying? Nolan, you’re useless.” “I didn’t even use much force, and you…” She smashed my phone on the ground, shattering the screen. My vision blurred, then I lost consciousness entirely.
When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed. Celeste sat nearby, looking at me with a complicated expression. “Nolan, you’re finally awake. It was my fault today. I was too impatient. Don’t take it to heart.” My head was still throbbing, and I coldly stared at her, unsure what game Celeste was playing now. “The doctor said you’ll be fine after a few days of rest. I took time off to stay with you, okay?” Celeste said, offering me a nutritious meal to drink. I turned my head away. “Celeste, what’s the point of all this? You’re the one who cheated. You want a divorce, and now you’re trying to appease me?!” “I don’t need you with me. Go find Finn. He’s your true love.” In the past, whenever we fought, I would always be the one to apologize first. Now, Celeste’s first attempt at reconciliation was ignored by me, and her face soured. She slammed the meal box down, questioning me with tears, “Can’t I make a mistake? We didn’t even do anything, yet you don’t trust me?” “Dad called today, saying he’s in the hospital again and wants you to care for him. Even if you don’t want to see me, at least visit him!” My expression darkened, so this was her plan. Cancer caretakers are expensive, but if it’s me, they save a lot of money. Years ago, I had no choice but to care for her dad. Spending money and effort, enduring the filth. But all I got was their ingratitude. Now, even with divorce looming, Celeste wants me to be the sucker again. “I’m not going, Celeste. Let’s divorce.” I said bluntly, “Your dad’s illness is none of my concern. I’ll prepare the divorce papers. Make sure to sign them.” Upon hearing this, Celeste lost her patience. She stood up, looking down at me, “You’re not going to divorce me, Nolan. I know you’re just sulking.” “You barged in and hit him. I only acted to prevent Finn from causing trouble later. Can’t you use your brain?” With that, the hospital room fell silent. I closed my eyes, unwilling to argue with her. Celeste had struck hard enough to knock me out. If it wasn’t to vent for Finn, why would she be so determined? Now she claimed it was to protect me. How laughable. “You don’t really want a divorce, do you, Nolan? I know you’re just upset with me.” “When you barged in and started hitting, I only fought back because I was worried that Finn would hold it against you later. Can’t you use some common sense?” The hospital room suddenly fell so silent you could hear a pin drop. I closed my eyes, not wanting to argue with her anymore. At that time, Celeste didn’t hold back and knocked me out cold. If she wasn’t trying to stand up for her beloved Finn, then why else would she be so determined? Now she claims it was to protect me—how ridiculous. “Nolan, we’ve been together for nearly nine years. You’re more than just a lover to me; you’re family.” “I just sought some excitement because our marriage had become mundane. I promise it won’t happen again.” “Can’t you forgive me this once?” Celeste held my hand, looking at me sincerely. The depth and tenderness in her eyes seemed genuine. “Nolan, the gift I got you is arriving soon. I’ll go get it for you; you’re going to love it.” I didn’t respond, just felt utterly drained. Five minutes later, Celeste was back. She placed a pair of diamond rings in front of me. “I know you’ve always wanted these, so I secretly ordered them to surprise you.” “Nolan, I hope you can be happy every day and stay by my side forever.” For a moment, I hesitated. Could it really be, as she said, that we just lost some excitement? Nine years of feelings—I don’t want to give up easily. Seeing my expression soften, Celeste smiled and placed my hand on her cheek. “Honey, rest well. Once you’re discharged, we can go visit Dad together.” “Don’t worry, I know you’re tired of taking care of him alone. I’ll take turns with you.” I nodded, “Just remember, don’t contact Finn anymore.” Hearing this, Celeste remained expressionless, “You still don’t trust me? I’ve sworn, honey. Just rest.” In the following days, Celeste stayed by my side without leaving. She even let me check her phone, which gradually eased my suspicions. Until one night, I didn’t drink the warm milk she brought me. But her phone call woke me up. Celeste, with her back to me, was flirting with Finn by the window. “Why so anxious? Nolan will be discharged soon, then we can meet.” “My dad’s bone marrow only matches his. I’ll keep him happy for now, and it’ll be easier to ask him later.” “Even if he disagrees, it’s fine. The sleeping pills you gave work great. I’ve fed him for five days, and he sleeps like a log. Worst case, we’ll do the transplant first and let him know later.” Finn chuckled on the other end. “If it weren’t for his remaining usefulness, why would I let you stay with him and endure this?” “Celeste, I’m going crazy missing you. Come down and meet me, okay? I’ve got a hotel nearby.” Celeste pretended to refuse a few times before quickly packing and leaving. Heartbroken and humiliated, I couldn’t breathe properly. These past few days, she’d been giving me warm milk, claiming it helped me sleep, but it was just to test the drugs. I pulled out my phone and booked a flight abroad. Then I messaged my good friend Leo, a lawyer, to draft a divorce agreement for me.
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