For nine years, after we got married, Scarlett Hayes had an endless stream of admirers. She reveled in having young, impressionable guys fall head over heels for her. I pretended to be understanding and tolerant, letting her enjoy herself. We maintained this unspoken understanding for nine years. Until I was strong enough, I walked away without a second glance. That night, Scarlett smashed everything in the house, grabbing my collar and screaming: “So, all these years, you never loved me!” Love? No. What I truly loved, what I truly wanted, was power and wealth. Nothing else. I was experimenting with a new way to brew tea when the doorbell rang late one evening. Slipping on my house shoes, I went to open it. A drunken Scarlett stumbled straight into me. Behind her, the young man supporting her stepped forward, smiling. “Julian,” he chirped, “Ms. Hayes had too much to drink, so I brought her home.” The guy, Leo Stone, was young, vibrant, and his smile radiated sunshine, utterly devoid of any aggression. He was Scarlett’s standard “boy toy” type. I gently pushed Scarlett back into his arms, my voice even. “There are fresh pajamas in the bottom drawer of the closet. Feel free to pick any style you like.” I paused, then added, “I’m a light sleeper. Keep the noise down tonight.” Leo probably hadn’t expected me to be so… magnanimous, in the face of his affair with my wife. His eyes widened, and his words came out in a stutter. “J-J-Julian, I’m not staying the night—” He carefully helped Scarlett onto the sofa, his movements gentle, full of affection. Then, he flashed a shy smile at me. “Julian, thanks for taking care of Ms. Hayes.” He deliberately stressed the word ‘thanks,’ acting like he was the one in charge. It was almost comical. I found myself mildly amused. The young man’s attempt to stake his claim was rather clumsy. “When it comes to taking care of people, our housekeeper is far more adept.” Leo’s face fell, and he went silent. I couldn’t be bothered to say more. After seeing him out, I turned back to the kitchen. “He’s just a kid brother. Why are you getting so worked up?” Scarlett’s voice drifted from behind me, without a hint of the drunken slur she’d had earlier. She walked up, wrapping her arms around me from behind. “Don’t worry, he won’t threaten your position.” I calmly poured out the tea from my cup, offering no reply. Scarlett always loved to bring up “position” when she was around me. As if that word alone. Should make me wag my tail, begging for her favor, eternally grateful for being her husband. But that position, I *did* care about it. Not because I loved her. But because of the advantages it brought me.
At the dinner table, Scarlett, still reeking of alcohol, leaned into me. “Leo just graduated. I’m thinking of making him my assistant.” That actually surprised me a little. Over the years, men had come and gone in her life. The longest any of them lasted was three months. Scarlett was naturally fickle, always chasing novelty. She usually hated getting entangled, yet she was willing to keep Leo close. It seemed she genuinely liked this “boy toy.” I lowered my gaze, asking calmly, “Do you need me to arrange anything for him?” Scarlett lifted her eyelids, glancing at me, a teasing smirk on her lips. “So generous? What if he tries to push you out and become the Hayes family’s son-in-law?” I replied, expressionless, “Whatever you wish. Anything is fine.” “Julian, stop it. I’m not in the mood to coddle you right now.” As she spoke, Scarlett looked languid, her eyelids slightly drooped. As if she was certain I was just acting jealous and speaking in a huff. Seeing my silence, Scarlett slowly sat up straight. “Are you serious?” I was a little confused. “Don’t you just want me to be obedient and sensible? “If he wants my position, I’ll let him have it. Isn’t that good?” The soothing soup I’d prepared for her stomach was suddenly thrown to the floor. She erupted in a sudden fit of rage. “Julian Blackwood, what the hell are you doing?” Soup and ceramic shards scattered everywhere. I paused, my gaze shifting from the mess on the floor to her face. “Is there something you’re unhappy with?” The next second, my chin was grasped tightly in her hand. Scarlett looked down at me, every word bitten out through clenched teeth. “Leo won’t affect your status. Don’t play games with me.” “Julian Blackwood, stay in your place as the Hayes family’s son-in-law.”
Scarlett stormed out, probably to find Leo. Not long after, she sent me a SnapChat message. “Julian Blackwood, once you’ve reflected enough, come apologize to me.” I stared blankly at the shattered ceramic, my mind drifting back to the past. After high school graduation, Scarlett had cautiously shuffled closer to me. Just so she could be nearer in the photo. There was only a shoulder’s width between us. But I could feel the fiery, intense crush of a teenage girl back then. The summer wind carried a lingering heat from the day. Close to her, my chest felt warm. Even now, I remember. The sparkle and exhilaration in Scarlett’s eyes when I accepted her confession. She said she’d be the most perfect girlfriend in the world. That she’d treat me well forever. Wrapped in a young girl’s sincere, passionate love, I naturally believed her. I didn’t doubt her sincerity, but sincerity is fleeting. In college, I started working and building my own business. Most of my time was dedicated to academics and my ventures. Despite this, I still prepared plenty of surprises for every date. The emotional support and validation she needed were always there. But Scarlett was still dissatisfied. She wanted me to spend more time traveling and exploring with her. Yet years of relentless academic grind had been too tough; I couldn’t afford a single misstep. We started fighting frequently. Until the business I built collapsed due to cutthroat competition. That day, Scarlett accompanied me to close down the shop. All the way there, she seemed unusually excited. “I told you not to bother. Just settle down and be the Hayes family’s son-in-law after graduation.” A compliant, thoughtless machine—that was the future she envisioned for me. Like a kept man, existing solely for her pleasure and command. “I have nothing to reflect on.” Scarlett seemed to have been waiting for my reply. Almost the instant my message went out, she replied. “Julian Blackwood, I’m waiting for the day you come begging me.”
Our wedding anniversary was at the end of the month. We had already planned to celebrate it with a formal dinner. In reality, this was no simple party. With prominent business figures attending, it was a crucial opportunity for Hayes Group. In the past two years, with rapid digital advancement, even leading corporations were feeling the impact. Hayes Group, having lagged in innovation, was hit the hardest. I had worked day and night with my team to develop new products. We were just waiting for this banquet to officially launch them. This was Hayes Group’s best chance to attract investment and support. At this critical juncture. Neither internal affairs nor potential investors could tolerate any mishap. I repeatedly emphasized to Scarlett that she absolutely could not miss it. Because Hayes Group needed to not only demonstrate the commercial value of its new products. But also project an image of a united and harmonious front between its CEO and her husband to the observing partners. Only then could we avoid any scandal impacting the stock market. But Scarlett seemed to think this occasion was just like any other. A mere show, something to be done whenever. So, when Leo faked an illness and begged her to keep him company, she didn’t hesitate. I also knew full well. There was another reason she agreed. She wanted to teach me a lesson, a payback for making her unhappy that day. I stared numbly at the countless unanswered calls on my phone. The partner next to me already looked extremely displeased. Around me, eyes full of amusement studied me. It was then that a message popped up on my phone. “Julian, Ms. Hayes is with me.” The next second, a photo flashed across the grand screen at the banquet. The two in the picture were intimately posed. Scarlett leaned on Leo’s shoulder, her lipstick smudged, cheeks flushed. Just one photo. That single photo. The carefully cultivated image of a perfect, harmonious marriage was instantly shattered, revealing its cracks. No one would bet their money on a new product that could implode at any moment. The surrounding murmurs were too loud. So loud that my mind buzzed, and I couldn’t hear anything clearly. The dazzling lights overhead, the clinking of glasses, the mocking laughter echoed, one after another. For a moment, I couldn’t even tell if I was dreaming or awake. It wasn’t until deep into the night. When scattered stars twinkled, that the guests began to disperse, one by one.
In the dead of night, a heavy rain began to fall. When Scarlett arrived at the hotel, the banquet had long since ended. She found me sitting expressionless amidst the wreckage on the floor. “Julian—” I heard her voice and slowly lifted my head, my eyes hollow. “Are you satisfied now?” “Everything’s ruined. All the team’s efforts, down the drain.” “Ms. Hayes, are you satisfied with this lesson?” Scarlett’s face paled at my words, her voice trembling slightly. “Julian, I didn’t know this banquet was so important. “Why did you make me unhappy that day? I just wanted you to admit you were wrong—” Scarlett’s voice grew softer and softer, until it completely faded. I stared at the wine glass by my feet. The leftover red wine reflected the hazy overhead lights, making me dizzy. “Scarlett.” My emotions gradually steadied, followed by a profound weariness. “Nine years, you played around for nine years, and I never thought of leaving you. “I always thought you just hadn’t grown up, that you were still childish. “But today, you publicly humiliated me, made all my efforts for you utterly useless—” I slipped off my wedding ring and placed it in Scarlett’s hand. “Scarlett, let’s get a divorce.” Hearing that, Scarlett actually laughed. “Is this your ultimate goal? “I thought, a mere new product launch, why would you be so distraught? “Turns out you just want to threaten me into settling down for you.” Ah, the spoiled rich girl, raised with endless indulgence. Sometimes, her stupidity was truly laughable. “Julian Blackwood, you’ll always be the Hayes family’s son-in-law. Stay in your place.” Scarlett had no patience. Her breath, light and ticklish, grazed my ear. “It’s fine to make a fuss sometimes, but overdoing it makes people dislike you.” “Leo poses no threat to your position.” Scarlett picked up the ring and put it back on my finger. Even now, she still believed I was just making a scene. I took the ring off again, twirled it between my fingers in front of her, then loosened my grip. The ring spun in the air, landing on the floor with a crisp clink. “This isn’t a game of playing hard to get, as you seem to think.” “Scarlett.” I looked up at her. “Let’s get a divorce.”
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