Married for seven years, my doctor husband, Liam, had missed every single one of my birthdays and wedding anniversaries. The first year, his patient, Sophia, claimed she had a headache. He ditched me in Hawaii and flew back overnight. The second year, I put on some lace lingerie, hoping for an intimate night. He’d already unbuckled his belt and was tying me to the bed when Sophia’s call pulled him away again. Her reason? She couldn’t get a cab back to the hospital. After that, no matter the year, Sophia always seemed to have some trouble or another that required his attention. Finally, my heart turned to ice. I decided to file for divorce. But the day I moved out of Los Angeles, he frantically searched for me, like a madman. Today was my seventh birthday since marrying Liam. I threw a birthday party and invited all our friends. Liam promised he would definitely be there this time, as a make-up for all his past absences. But he did come, only he came with Sophia. He sat in the corner of the private room, massaging Sophia’s cramping foot, leaving me standing there awkwardly, alone. My friends shook their heads in dismay, feeling sorry for me. “Look at you, every year you hope he’ll spend your birthday with you, but does he ever truly care about you?” Everyone knew how much this day meant to me, how much I longed to truly celebrate it with him. But halfway through the party, Liam, who was supposed to be cutting the cake with me, left early again. I rushed after him, but he stopped me with a hand. “Sophia’s foot still hasn’t recovered from the cramp. I need to take her home.” “You handle the party tonight. Next time, next time I promise I won’t leave early.” With that, he forcibly pulled his hand away from mine and helped Sophia into his car. Seven years of marriage, and this was the seventh time he’d ruined my birthday because of Sophia. In the past, I would have yelled and screamed, demanding to know why he had to leave at such an important moment. But this time, I stood quietly, a gentle smile on my face. “It’s okay. Sophia’s health is certainly important.” Liam paused, seemingly surprised by my calm. “It’s best you think that way. Tomorrow, I’ll bring you a Tiramisu from your favorite place.” I hummed in agreement, watching him roll up the car window and speed away without a second glance. The moment he was gone, I dropped the smile from my lips. He forgot. I hate caffeine. I can’t stand overly sweet cakes. Tiramisu isn’t my favorite; it’s hers. He’d bought one for me once, trying to cheer me up. Not wanting to hurt his feelings, I forced myself to take a bite, almost gagging. Afterwards, I told him how much I hated coffee and anything too sweet. He’d pulled out his phone immediately, typed it into his notes, and promised he’d never forget. A year later, “never” was already over. The night wind chilled me to the bone, but my heart was already frozen solid. I scoffed, then went back inside. After announcing the party was over, I publicly tore my birthday dress to shreds. I knew this seven-year marriage should be shredded along with it. After all, the annual birthday gift my husband gave me was always the same: his blatant flirtation with another woman. By the end, my best friend, Stella Smith, stayed to comfort me. She watched me sitting dejectedly amidst the ruined party decorations and couldn’t help but speak again: “How about… you finally let go completely this time? Come back to Washington with me. There are more opportunities there. Leave this place, start fresh.” This wasn’t the first time she’d urged me to leave. I looked up, meeting Stella’s worried and indignant gaze. She was my med school roommate and my best friend, from a prominent medical family in Washington. Years ago, when I met Liam during my internship and, head over heels, followed him to Los Angeles, a city where I didn’t know a soul, only Stella vehemently objected, saying I’d regret it someday. Liam came from a small, ordinary town. He was extremely sensitive about his background and hated anyone mentioning family wealth. To spare his feelings, for seven years, I never told him about my true family situation—my parents were also professors at a prestigious medical school, and we were quite well-off. In his eyes, I was just a girl like him, who worked hard to make her way from a modest background. I always thought it wouldn’t be too late to tell him once we were established and our lives were getting better. With this mutual understanding and shared struggle, we grew from resident doctors to key members of our respective departments, winning the hospital’s annual Outstanding Physician Award for three consecutive years. We were considered the “power couple” by everyone. Our lives seemed to be steadily improving. I thought that when the right time came, he would understand everything. But that “right time” was always interrupted by Sophia’s endless “crises.” Lost in thought, I looked at the shredded fabric of my dress scattered on the floor and let out a bitter laugh. In the end, there was no need to say anything anymore. “Okay.” I heard my dry voice say. “Stella, I’ll go with you.” Stella’s eyes lit up. She practically lunged at me, grabbing my cold hands tightly: “You finally came to your senses! I’ll book the soonest flight for you. This crappy place, this crappy guy, we’re done! I’ll help you settle in back home. I’ve got you covered!”
After settling Stella, who was busy arranging my travel, I returned alone to our cold, silent apartment. The entire place was as desolate as ever. After fixing myself a quick meal, I opened Ins and saw Sophia had just posted an update. The picture showed her in a tight-fitting workout outfit, posing intimately with Liam. “Tricked Liam into coming to play basketball with me instead of celebrating Amelia’s birthday! He was a little mad, but I told him we’d go to my place for dinner later, and he cheered right up, hehe.” Seeing that message, I felt a wave of nausea. I knew he wouldn’t be coming home tonight, just like always. Luckily, I had already decided to divorce. I wouldn’t have to suffer in silence anymore. The next morning, I took my packed luggage to the hospital and formally submitted my resignation letter to Dr. Evans, the Department Head, and Human Resources. I started the handover of my work. Because I excelled in my field, Dr. Evans was still trying to persuade me to stay. As we were talking, Liam walked in with a patient’s chart. I glanced over and saw a hickey on his neck, and a perfume scent clinging to him, too strong for even hospital disinfectant to mask. It was clear he’d had a very enjoyable night. He used to hate it when I left marks on him, claiming it affected his rounds. So, even in our most passionate moments, I’d try my best to hold back, or just grip the bedsheets instead. It wasn’t that he didn’t want marks on him, it was just that they couldn’t be from me. As soon as he walked in, Dr. Evans sighed and spoke. “Perfect, you can talk some sense into your wife. She wants to resign. Did you two have a fight?” “It has nothing to do with him.” “You’re resigning?” Two voices spoke at once. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his gaze fixed on me, his lips slightly pressed. “So, you were angry yesterday because I left early, weren’t you?” Dr. Evans, seeing the tension, discreetly left, giving us space. The moment the door closed, Liam stepped forward and questioned me. “I told you Sophia’s foot cramped, that’s why I took her home. Why are you so petty?” I tried to keep my voice calm, looking up and making up a lie. “I’m not angry. I’m resigning because I’m tired and want to take a vacation and rest.” He crossed his arms, frowning in confusion. “If you want a vacation, just take your annual leave. If you suddenly resign like this, people will think you have an issue with Sophia. How can she, a patient, receive treatment with peace of mind?” He forgot. I’d already burned through all my vacation days this year, spending them on every birthday and anniversary he’d ditched. But he only worried about Sophia’s treatment. My heart ached with sadness. I turned my gaze back to the hickey on his neck, saying nothing. He noticed and subconsciously covered his neck. “This is just an allergic reaction, don’t overthink it.” I was somewhat surprised. He wasn’t arguing with me; he was explaining. But it was such a pathetic excuse. The old me might have believed it. I nodded, still silent. Liam breathed a sigh of relief, apparently thinking my anger had passed, and smiled as he put an arm around my shoulder. “That’s better, can’t you try not to be so dramatic? As doctors, sometimes we need to put the patient’s needs first.” “And don’t bother resigning. Tonight, I’ll take you to that scenic restaurant on the hill, okay? As compensation.” I still didn’t speak. He took my silence as agreement. My intention to say a proper goodbye to him was suppressed. Now, I didn’t want to tell him I was going to Washington.
“Liam!” Sophia pushed the door open without knocking. Liam immediately jumped back from me. Sophia gave an apologetic smile. “Oops, sorry to interrupt you and Amelia, but I really couldn’t help it! I’m a little confused about this prescription…” Liam, without a backward glance, walked towards her, took the patient’s chart from her hand, and patiently asked her what she didn’t understand. Sophia deliberately pressed close to him. The two of them whispered together right in front of me, forming their own little bubble. Then Sophia linked arms with Liam and walked out. The moment she closed the door, she turned back and gave me a taunting smile. Thump. The empty office was filled only with the sound of my breathing. The next second, the necklace on my wrist fell, the chain broke, and the pendant shattered on the floor. Out of nowhere. It was the gift Liam gave me on our first wedding anniversary. He’d said then that he hoped our relationship, like the necklace, would be a lifetime of completeness. I stood in silence for a long time, then, ignoring the pain of the tiny cuts, I carefully gathered the fragments. Along with the last shred of my hesitation for us, I tossed them into the trash. After firmly telling Dr. Evans my decision to resign, I returned to my clinic to hand over my remaining work. My colleague, Ashley, who was taking over, was usually quite friendly with me and seemed genuinely sad to hear the news. “Amelia, are you really leaving?” “Then I’ll have to watch those two flirting in front of me every day!” Following her gaze, I saw Liam explaining a prescription to Sophia. Sophia seemed a bit unhappy, apparently having been gently scolded by Liam. To cheer her up, Liam magically produced a Cartier bracelet from somewhere. She immediately brightened up and put it on. Then, she met my eyes and stood up, flustered. “Amelia, Liam and I aren’t really anything. This isn’t anything special!” Her words immediately drew everyone’s attention to us, their eyes darting between her and me. In seven years of marriage, Liam had never given me anything expensive, and they all, like Liam, thought I came from an ordinary family and didn’t recognize designer brands. Everyone felt sorry for me. Even Ashley, standing next to me, was indignant. “You’re his wife! They’re treating you like an absolute fool!” I gently squeezed her hand, shaking my head repeatedly, signaling her not to get into a heated argument. Then I looked back at Sophia. “That bracelet is beautiful. It suits you well.” Sophia, not seeing me get angry, continued, somewhat unwillingly. “Amelia, it’s really nothing special, don’t be mad.” I just felt confused. Mad? There was no need. I had plenty of bracelets like that, though they were all back at my home in Washington. Liam stood up upon hearing my words, frowning as he scolded me. “Amelia, don’t be so unreasonable.” I sighed, shaking my head. “I’m really not angry. You two should stop making wild guesses about me.” My tone was calm. Liam seemed surprised, then scoffed. “You better not be.” He then pulled Sophia down to sit beside him. Ashley couldn’t help but ask me. “Are you really just going to let them off the hook?” I shrugged while organizing patient records. “Yeah, because as far as I’m concerned, I’ve already decided to divorce him.” Seven birthday parties, not one complete. I was tired of it.
After work, Liam, surprisingly, came to help me pack up my things. “Let’s go. I booked the scenic restaurant on the hill for eight o’clock. We can leave now and get there just in time.” Then his eyes fell on my bare wrist. He froze, asking anxiously, “Where’s the necklace I gave you?” “I was worried about breaking it, so I took it off and left it at home.” He visibly relaxed, smiling at me. “You used to wear it every day. Why are you suddenly keeping it safe?” Before I could come up with another lie, Sophia jogged over and stopped beside us. “Liam, I’m all ready!” Liam’s gaze immediately went to her. He nodded, signaling for her to wait in the car. I watched Sophia walk directly to the passenger seat and wait. In seven years of marriage, I had never once sat in his passenger seat. He said that seat was for the most important person, and I would only get to sit there after we celebrated every anniversary together. Meeting Sophia’s challenging gaze, I looked down, offering no response. My heart no longer held any ripples of emotion. At the restaurant, Liam and Sophia sat on the same side, ordering without asking for my opinion. I happily took a back seat, propping my head on my hand and gazing out the window at the view. After all, after tomorrow, I probably wouldn’t see this city again. When the dishes arrived, Liam, for once, peeled a whole bowl of shrimp for me and placed it in front of me. “The shrimp here is good.” I looked up, meeting his somewhat gentle smile. I hadn’t expected him to consider me at a time like this. Sophia couldn’t resist taking credit. “I recommended this place to Liam! Last time we came here, he ate three whole plates!” Liam’s cheeks flushed in embarrassment. “Why are you telling Amelia all this…” Sophia laughed, covering her mouth, and looked at me, pretending to be embarrassed. “Oh, sorry, Amelia. Don’t let this embarrassing story ruin Liam’s image in your mind, okay?” The two of them burst into laughter again right in front of me. I looked at the bowl of shrimp and suddenly lost my appetite. Forcing myself to take one bite, almost gagging, I pushed it back. “I don’t like it. You can have it.” Their playful banter stopped. Liam asked carefully, “Are you unhappy?” I shook my head. “No, the shrimp is just too fishy. I’m not used to it.” Just like you two. Stinks to high heaven. After dinner, Liam drove the ‘drunk’ Sophia home. It was I who closed the door behind them. Watching them leave, I immediately hailed a cab to the airport. On my phone, Liam was still planning how we’d celebrate my next birthday. Perhaps he felt some guilt; he proactively said he’d make sure my next birthday was celebrated properly. “Don’t worry, this time we’ll really celebrate well. No one will disturb us!” I replied expressionlessly. “Okay.” I knew it was impossible. This birthday would be ruined by him, just like all the others. As I was about to board, he sent another message. “Sophia drank too much and has a stomach ache. I won’t be coming home tonight. Take care of yourself at home.” I scoffed, already knowing. “It’s okay. You can stay at her place. I’ve already packed my bags and left. We won’t have any relationship anymore.” “Liam, goodbye for good.” After sending him that last message, I immediately blocked and deleted him. On the plane, I watched Los Angeles, still sparkling, grow smaller beneath me. And when Liam finally got home, he would find the divorce papers I left for him.
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