Three days before our silver anniversary. I stumbled upon his secret—a hidden basement. Every inch from floor to ceiling was covered in photos of another woman. I realized that from his thirties to his sixties, his heart belonged to someone else. Those crucial business trips, those mysterious souvenirs—they all made sense now, seeing the radiant smiles in the photos. I stared at my own hands, marked with the signs of hard work. Suddenly, I felt exhausted. Declan was away on a business trip, but his assistant showed up at my door. “Mrs. Carter, we really need that document. It’s important to us.” Standing at the door, Declan’s assistant looked at me with respect. I tried calling Declan three times, but there was no answer. “Are you sure it’s in the study?” The assistant nodded politely. I reluctantly went upstairs to search for it. I rarely entered Declan’s study. He didn’t like to be disturbed while working. As I fumbled around the desk, a pen holder caught my eye. It seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place where I’d seen it before. The assistant’s voice urged me from downstairs. As I exited, I accidentally knocked over the pen holder. With a loud thud, an opening appeared behind the bookshelf. I was taken aback, hearing the assistant calling from below. I quickly went down and handed over the document. The assistant seemed concerned by my expression. “Mrs. Carter, is everything alright?” I pressed my lips together and shook my head. After he left, I went back to the study. Staring at the lit basement, I hesitated. My instincts screamed not to enter. But my legs moved on their own, leading me inside. The room was bathed in a warm yellow light. Yet, upon entering, I was completely frozen. The walls were filled with photos of one person. Some were faded, others discolored, clearly aged. Yet, they were carefully framed by the owner. I stepped closer and gently touched a photo. Not a speck of dust—indicating the owner’s deep care for these photos. The subject was always the same person. She looked familiar—I recognized her at once. It was Declan’s first love, Nora. The wall was covered with photos of young Nora. Reading, shopping, dining—captured in many moments. The most recent showed her, with some gray hair, feeding pigeons. She was wearing a blue traditional dress, timelessly elegant and graceful. Her smile was bright as she looked at the camera. The thought that Declan might have taken this photo inexplicably upset me. Nora was Declan’s first love. Back when he was at his lowest. She left without a word to study abroad. But the travel expenses were covered by my father, who felt sorry for her troubled home life. Because of this, for a long time after I married Declan. He treated me coldly. I quietly endured a lot of grievances. Looking closely at these photos. There were quite a few of them together. Declan appeared relaxed in front of the camera. I rarely saw him so carefree. I looked at my hands, marked with the toll of labor, dull and lifeless. I sat quietly in the room, staring at the wall of photos. I thought about many things. Years ago, to be with Declan, I had a falling out with my parents. I almost missed seeing my father one last time. During Declan’s three years of studying abroad, I managed the household through all its ups and downs. I took care of his bedridden mother every day. I even financially supported him during his studies. We had a harmonious time together. During that period, we had our son, Theo. But back then, Declan’s career was just starting. He didn’t have time for household matters. I took on everything so he could focus on his career. During that time, he treated me very well. Though it was tough, it was also happy. When did things change? It was when Nora returned from her messy divorce abroad. I remember when I heard the news, Theo was only two. I worried that what I had was just an illusion, like a moonlit reflection on water. Sensing my unease, Declan comforted me for a long time. He said many things, promising he wouldn’t look back. Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, without a hint of guilt, I felt relieved. Looking back, perhaps he did have genuine feelings, but true feelings can change in an instant. Suddenly, my heart felt swollen and heavy, like a sponge soaked in water. My hands trembled uncontrollably. He must have struggled to hide it from me. It’s been most of a lifetime.
An indescribable sadness spread from my chest to my entire body. I wanted to ask him why. Why did he do this? But as I picked up my phone, all my strength left me. I collapsed to the ground, letting the overwhelming emotions consume me. I carefully put everything back in its place, as if they had never been disturbed. But only I knew that beneath the seemingly flawless exterior, everything inside was already in ruins. Quietly, I packed my things, one by one. I had lived here too long. There were many scattered items, fortunately, Declan was away. It took me almost three days to pack everything. There were many things, but none of value. The valuable items I brought long ago had been sold during tough times. Leaving the house, I felt an indescribable lightness. I looked back at the house I had lived in for most of my life, still feeling reluctant. But I knew, no matter how long I stayed, it was never truly mine. It always bore someone else’s mark. I got into the car to go home. Since my parents passed away, I hadn’t returned home. In my years of wandering, I thought I had finally settled down. But it turned out to be a sugar-coated poison. I was coaxed into willingly consuming it. Three days after I returned to my hometown, someone finally called me. “Mom, where did you go?” “Tomorrow, Theo has a holiday. Leo and I are too busy. I’ll bring Theo over tomorrow.” My son’s voice was full of energy, with a hint of dissatisfaction and reproach. “Mom, did you hear me? In bright daylight, it’s so sunny. Stop running back and forth. I’ve been there several times for nothing.” His nagging continued in my ear. I was a bit dazed. I don’t think I ever complained about my parents like this, did I? I shouldn’t have. It’s been too long; I can’t remember. “Theo, let your mother-in-law bring him. I’m not convenient right now.” I calmly finished speaking and hung up the phone. Lying in the room I slept in during childhood, I felt especially at ease. A sense of security filled me. Unexpectedly, the person who should have returned in a week was standing at my door, looking worn out. Seeing Declan’s travel-worn appearance, I was surprised. “Maeve, what are you doing? Do you know the paparazzi caught you? Now everyone is saying we’re getting a divorce. The company is asking questions. It’s a big deal.” Declan’s words shattered all my illusions. I felt ridiculous for still holding onto fantasies about Declan. I thought he rushed over because he was worried about me. But his first instinct was to think about something else. “But if you don’t say and I don’t say, who knows I’m your wife?” My tone was dismissive. Noticing his harsh tone, he changed his approach. “Maeve, these days, you weren’t home. Our son and I were worried about you. What happened?” “Tell me, I’ll stand up for you.” “Did the assistant say something offensive?” Declan’s gritted teeth made it seem like he’d fight for me. Turns out, all these years, I was deceived by his act. “Declan, let’s get a divorce.” His endless chatter stopped immediately. He paused, seemingly thinking about what I just said. “Maeve, what’s wrong?” Declan’s voice was urgent. “I don’t agree. Who upset you? Let’s confront them, okay? Don’t say things in anger.” I just looked at him coldly. I never noticed before how well he acted. The praised good husband was secretly a hopeless romantic collecting photos of his first love. “Declan, I discovered the basement.” His expression froze completely at my words, his face turning visibly unpleasant. “Didn’t I tell you not to enter the study?” See, this person whom I had adored since my youth—once his secrets were exposed, his first reaction was to lash out and blame me. In that moment, all the small incidents from the past rushed into my mind. Without exception, they were all about Declan’s disdain and barely veiled contempt. Yes, a nouveau riche family like mine, being able to reach the heights of someone as educated as him, was indeed considered a stroke of ancestral luck. Reflecting on this, I couldn’t help but recall the numerous past events. “You should go back. Next time, bring a lawyer, alright? I won’t shortchange myself even a cent.” I stood, blocking the doorway, indicating for him to leave. Declan’s face turned grim.
He frowned, “Mabel, everyone has a past. Could you stop clinging to it and let it go?” “Besides, we’re both at an age where nothing could happen between Nora and me.” “And at our age, announcing a divorce would be laughable. People will gossip about you.” Declan’s words seemed to consider my welfare, yet they were continuously faulting me for being immature. “There’s no need, Declan.” “You should go back.” “I keep telling you, there’s nothing between Nora and me. Why won’t you believe me? Think it over.” Declan left, his expression stern. I had seen him off to study abroad on a ship. Sent him off on countless flights for field research. Every morning, I saw him off to work. And now, I watched him leave in a huff. I felt a whirlwind of emotions, an indescribable discomfort. Yet, I also felt an unusual sense of relief. I took all my belongings home. He should understand the firmness of my decision this time. I waited for the lawyer to arrive. After all, his company was built on the hard-earned money of my parents, whom he regarded as mere merchants. I waited and waited, but it was my son’s family who showed up instead. As soon as they entered, my son covered his nose in disdain. “Mom, this place reeks of mold. How can anyone live here? It’s covered in dust. Come back with us, okay?” Even my four-year-old grandson, Theo, mimicked him, covering his nose. In a sweet voice, he said, “It’s stinky here. Grandma, come back with us.” With that, he tried to grab my hand. I quietly avoided his hand. “Why did you bring the child here?” “Isn’t it because of you, Mom? Dad told me everything. Why are you still fussing over this? You’re both so old now. Why not just stay home peacefully with Theo?” “Why do you have to follow the young people’s trend of getting divorced? It’s a mess.” “I met Aunt Nora. She’s honest and straightforward with Dad. There’s nothing improper between them.” Declan Junior scolded me thoroughly over the phone. My expression gradually turned cold. “So why are you here? To be your dad’s messenger?” His expression paused for a moment. “I’m here to check on you. You moved out in a hurry, with no one to look after you. Of course, we worry about you.” He said that, but his eyes couldn’t help but glance around the slightly shabby house, failing to hide his disdain. My daughter-in-law stood obediently to the side. “Alright, you’ve seen me. There’s nothing wrong here. You should go back.” Declan Junior didn’t say anything, just had Theo come over and hug my leg. I patted his head. Suddenly, I remembered, Declan Junior used to be just like that. He looked so soft and fair. When I stayed up late worrying about making ends meet, working on side projects by lamplight, he would wake up and cling to me. He’d massage my forehead with tiny hands, promising to buy me a big house and ensure I lived a good life when he grew up. His hands were so small back then, his words naive, his voice soft. But now, he’s looking at me with impatience, looking at this house with disdain. He used to love visiting his grandma’s house. Children you raise with your own hands can grow so distant when they grow up. Let alone a spouse. Maybe it’s because I never really understood them. I pushed Theo back. Gestured for my daughter-in-law to take the child outside. She didn’t say much, just took the child out. I looked at the child who was now two heads taller than me. I felt a bit dazed. Time flies, and Theo has grown so much. “When did you meet Aunt Nora?” My voice was steady, but Declan Junior was impatient. “Mom! This isn’t the time to dwell on that. The company is affected. Can you stop fighting with Dad? He’s so old now, and he can’t do anything with Aunt Nora. Can’t you just see her as an ordinary old friend?” “Besides, at this age, who doesn’t have friends? You’re always at home, not interacting with others. You should go downstairs and chat with the neighbors more often. I think you’re too idle, that’s why you overthink everything.”
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “295686”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic
Leave a Reply