Beatrix came back and turned my marriage into a spectacle. She challenged me to a bet over Asher’s vows, and he proved her right—breaking every promise for her while keeping every distance from me. When I saw the tattoo, the bracelet he threw away, and the surveillance that exposed everything, something in me snapped. I handed him the divorce agreement he once said I could use “anytime” and left. Only when he lost me did he panic. But I was already gone, divorce certificate in hand, reclaiming the freedom he never deserved. After Beatrix came back, she challenged me—said we should see who could make Asher break his vows nine times first. I smirked and drafted the terms of the bet right then: “If you win, I’ll step aside. But if you lose, I’ll make sure you can’t stay in Beijing City.” Only I knew how unsteady I felt inside. In our three years of marriage, Asher would do anything I asked—except break his vows. Within a week, he started coming home less. Determined, I put on the new lingerie I’d bought and walked into his quiet room. I took his hand and guided it down my body… I felt his breathing grow heavier, heat rising in his eyes, something new and dangerous. But then his phone rang. He snapped out of it, pushed me away, and walked out. He didn’t return for three hours. I stood there, the warmth draining from me, unable to think. Until Beatrix showed up, waving a used strawberry-flavored item, flaunting the sticky residue inside. “Adele, this makes nine.” “I told you—Asher loves me. Why don’t you believe it?” “A bet is a bet.” Looking at her smug face, I remembered how I had just humiliated myself, begging my own husband for attention. A wave of dizziness washed over me. Why was I degrading myself like this? Before marriage, I was the prized daughter of Beijing’s elite. Why was I now fighting Beatrix for a spot in my own bed? Feigning calm, I pulled the signed divorce papers from the bedside drawer. “Take it and leave.” Beatrix arched a brow. “You confronted Asher?” I shrugged. “No. Asher said I could make the decision about divorce whenever I wanted.” “He’s just a man. If you want him, he’s yours.” But looking at Asher’s name on the papers… My chest tightened. This had been Asher’s wedding gift to me. Asher always honored his promises. He had once stopped my hands from unbuttoning his shirt, saying he needed to keep his vows for three years and asking me to wait. But if I ever grew tired… I could sign the papers anytime, and he’d accept it. Back then, I had been overjoyed, thinking he was mine for life. Now I saw how foolish I’d been. Was he giving me freedom, or giving himself an easy exit? Beatrix read the papers twice before smiling in satisfaction. “Miss Adele—still as decisive as ever.” “Everyone in Beijing City knows you pursued Asher for five years. I really thought you’d cry.” “How about this—once Asher officially breaks his vows next week, I’ll hand him these papers as a gift.” “You two won’t have to torture each other anymore.” I saw her out with a cold expression. But I had to admit—she wasn’t wrong. Keeping someone who doesn’t love you for five years—if that isn’t torture, what is? I opened my phone and found the Iceland trip I’d booked for Asher and me next week. Asher hated traveling abroad, but I insisted. When he agreed, was he thinking how troublesome I was? I canceled his ticket with a swipe. If that’s the case, then I’ll let him go. This mistake shouldn’t continue.
Not long after Beatrix left, I went to bed. Half-asleep, I felt someone slide in behind me, an arm wrapping around my waist. Annoyed, I pushed his hand away. “Why aren’t you in your quiet room? What are you doing here?” His breath warmed my neck. After a long silence, he asked, “Why did you cancel the Iceland tickets?” My irritation spiked. “Maybe I just don’t feel like going,” I snapped, pushing him away. “Stay away from me.” But when my hand pressed against his chest, Asher let out a low groan—like he was in pain. Something felt off. I lifted his shirt. My vision spun. A piercing was right over his chest. And next to it, two small letters tattooed: QZ. I didn’t know if my eyes were red—I just felt tears threatening to spill, my voice shaking uncontrollably. “What is this?” Did Asher like Beatrix so much he’d do anything for her? When Asher’s parents died and his relatives took everything—when thugs cornered him—it was me who smashed a bottle to keep him safe. He had said he wanted to become a monk. I stayed by him, loved him without asking for anything. Until he let me in and agreed to marry me. What a joke. He wouldn’t break his vows for me. But he’d let another woman mark him? Like some pet being claimed? Asher wasn’t the type who could be forced. Was this their idea of fun? Or did Beatrix want me to see how low he’d bend for her? Asher frowned and tugged down his shirt. “No need to freak out. It’s just something strung—if you don’t like it, I won’t wear it.” “As for the letters… Adele, I’ll explain later.” Then he hesitated, stood up, and walked out. “I’m going to copy scriptures. You should sleep early.” His prayer beads had been replaced with white Bodhi beads—not the rosewood ones I’d climbed a mountain to get for him. Grinding my teeth, I called the butler. “Find out where Asher went today. And who he was with.” “And find out what happened to his bracelet.” Soon, surveillance footage arrived. In the video, Asher was taking drink after drink from Beatrix, completely drunk. Friends at the table looked stunned. “I thought Asher was a devout Buddhist, doesn’t drink at all. Beatrix, how’d you pull that off?” “Back in school, Asher only cared about Beatrix. Looks like her going abroad didn’t change a thing.” “He’s married now though. I heard his wife is something else.” Beatrix laughed, holding Asher’s hand. “If I hadn’t gone abroad, how else would Adele have married him?” “I told Asher not to touch Adele—and he really didn’t. What more proof do you need?” A sharp pain stabbed my chest. What was I to him? I dragged him out of the mud—and he kept himself “pure” for the woman he liked? Beatrix tapped his cheek, waking him. “Throw that bracelet away. I bought you a new one. From now on, you only wear mine.” He hesitated. But pushed by Beatrix, he took off the bracelet and tossed it. Maybe heaven felt pity. It snapped on impact, beads scattering everywhere. Just like my heart. The butler handed me two beads. “Miss, the cleaning staff took the rest. Should I retrieve them?” I laughed bitterly. “No.” “What use are a few beads now?” Asher, like those beads. Once precious. Protected. Now dirty, discarded. Nothing.
I ordered Asher’s belongings packed and sent back to his own home. When Asher walked in with breakfast, he passed movers carrying out his incense burner, scriptures, and meditation mat. He froze. “What’s going on? Adele—are you moving?” I smiled broadly. “Yes. I’ve lived here long enough. It’s annoying now.” I glanced at the tray. Pickles. Plain porridge. A few slices of bread. Not even an egg. Asher didn’t eat meat, so I’d gone vegetarian for years too. I grabbed my bag. “Keep it for yourself.” His shocked expression didn’t matter. Nothing about Asher mattered now. That night, I met several Beijing Circle friends at a bar for a farewell. They teased me endlessly. “Adele’s drinking? What will your picky, uptight husband say?” “Yeah, the social darling has been so proper since marriage. What changed today?” I scoffed. “Being proper is for someone who deserves it.” A commotion broke out in a corner. Two people were having a drinking bet. Whoever finished twelve cocktails first got to take a woman home. My friends went to look, came back uneasy. “Adele… you might want to check. It’s Asher.” I didn’t react. I knew I should be shocked—that a man who never drank would do this for another woman. But inside, there was nothing left. As if my love had died yesterday. I even led the group over, amused. “Come on. Let’s watch.” Asher stood at the long table, stunned when he saw me. But before he could move, the bartender reminded him: “Sir, leaving means forfeiting. You sure you want to quit?” Asher looked at me, then at Beatrix, hesitating. Then he turned back. “No forfeiting.” Beatrix leaned close, voice dripping venom under the bar’s music. “Adele, maybe try talking to him? You two won’t be married much longer—you can still beg a little.” “But if he won’t listen even once… pretty pathetic, right?” I ignored her and stared at Asher. He refused to look back, eyes down, fingers nervously rolling his prayer beads. Onlookers swooned. “Drinking twelve of those will send him to the ER. This guy must really love his girlfriend.” “True love. Wishing them all the best.” A vein pulsed on Asher’s forehead. He snapped, “Shut up.” Then he turned to me and whispered, “Adele… I have my reasons. I’ll explain when we’re home.” I smiled. “Asher, you promised to keep your vows for three years. Only three days left.” “If you drink this, the whole agreement is meaningless.” His face froze. After a long silence, he nodded. “Then it’s meaningless. Let’s go home tonight. I’ll make it up to you.” I knew he meant finally consummating the marriage. I almost laughed. He chose to break his vow for me—after breaking everything else for her. I removed my wedding ring. Dropped it into his drink. And turned to leave. But with so many people crowded around, I accidentally knocked over a champagne tower. Glasses crashed everywhere. I heard Asher call my name. But when it mattered, he protected Beatrix first. Glass shattered underfoot. My vision went dark. I saw Asher running toward me. He lifted me, hands trembling. He whispered “I love you” over and over. And it made me sick. When I woke up, three days had passed. My friends said Asher had waited outside the ER the whole time, refusing treatment for his own injuries. Said he refused to leave my bedside. Didn’t even let nurses wipe my face. They said he booked a massive banquet hall filled with cornflowers—my favorite. No one knew what for. I called the butler. “Take me to the airport.” As the car pulled away, Asher’s car approached. When our cars crossed paths, I rolled up the window. Asher had been relieved—finally fulfilling the twelve wishes he owed Beatrix. The drinking contest had been the last one. He thought he could finally let her go. Finally love me fully. But when he walked into the hospital room— The bed was empty. Not a wrinkle on the sheets. His face showed confusion, doubt… and then pure panic. Beatrix handed him a document, smiling brightly. “Asher, you’re finally free!” “This is the divorce agreement Adele signed. We can finally be together again!” Asher was taken aback. He had heard Beatrix mention “freed
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