Today is our wedding anniversary. I bought some sexy lingerie, planning to surprise my husband. Just as we were kissing passionately, urgent knocking came from the door. My husband got out of bed to check. But his phone, left on the bed, lit up. I picked it up to look, and my hand flew to my mouth in shock. My best friend was sending my husband nude photos! [Babe! Open the door quick! I’ll give your wife her sleeping milk again tonight] [Once she’s asleep, I’ll strip completely and show you my new lingerie] [I put even more sleeping pills in this time. She didn’t notice on your wedding night, and she won’t escape this time either!] My hands were shaking as I put the phone back. My husband walked in carrying a glass of milk. “That knocking was Lauren. She saw you haven’t been sleeping well lately, so she specially brought you some warm milk.” I stared at the milk in his hands, my mind still reeling from shock. Ethan’s face showed what seemed like genuine concern. Remembering the messages I just saw, I immediately shook my head. “I don’t want it.” Ethan frowned, about to try persuading me again. My best friend Lauren suddenly appeared at the bedroom door. Startled, I quickly put my clothes back on. But she walked in naturally, like the lady of the house, taking the milk from my husband’s hands. “I’m not interrupting, am I?” Lauren sat down on my bed. “Raina, stop throwing a tantrum. Only Ethan has the patience to put up with you.” “He’s just worried about you. Come on, drink it.” Before I could speak, she shoved the cup right up to my lips. Seeing the smirk suddenly curl at the corner of her mouth, I instinctively raised my hand and knocked it away. Her hand slipped, and the cup crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces. My leg was cut by the broken glass, blood immediately streaming down. Lauren let out a frightened cry. “Raina! Lauren was trying to help. Why are you taking it out on her?” Ethan urgently scooped up Lauren in his arms, placing her on our bed. His large hands gripped her leg, then spread it apart. Lauren’s face instantly flushed red, her resistance half-hearted. “I’m fine—” Ethan held her leg firmly, running his hand upward, his voice gentle. “Don’t move. Let me check if you’re hurt.” Seeing a small scratch on Lauren’s leg, his eyes filled with heartache. He completely ignored me. I stared at him blankly, opening my mouth without thinking. “Ethan, I’m hurt too—” Without even looking at me, he coldly cut me off. “Enough. I’m just making up for your mistake. Is there any point in being jealous right now?” Lauren bit her lip, her face full of guilt. “Raina, this is my fault. Did I disturb you two today? Is that why you’re angry with me?” “Please don’t fight because of me. I’ll leave right now, okay?” As she tried to stand, Ethan pressed her back down. His gaze shifted to me, quietly watching. I thought he’d finally noticed I was badly hurt, that he’d ask if I was in pain. Reality hit me like a slap in the face. “Lauren came all this way to bring you milk. Instead of being grateful, you hurt her. How can you be so vicious?” His face showed complete impatience, a far cry from the gentle tone he’d just used to comfort Lauren. My heart felt like it was being pricked with needles, dense pain spreading through it. Today was supposed to be our wedding anniversary. What was Lauren doing here? Especially now—Ethan’s eyes were practically glued to Lauren. I even felt confused for a moment, like I was actually the outsider here. I suddenly remembered how whenever something happened to Lauren in the past, he’d always rush to her side first. On a stormy day when Lauren’s car broke down, he kicked me out of the car to go pick her up. When he traveled abroad, I asked him to bring back a souvenir. He found it too troublesome. But when Lauren casually mentioned she liked something, he’d run halfway across the city to buy it for her. And me? As his wife, if I showed even the slightest unhappiness about this, I’d be accused of being unreasonable. Every time, I told myself he was only good to Lauren because she was my best friend, that he actually loved me. This time, I couldn’t lie to myself anymore. My whole body trembled. I couldn’t say a word. Ethan scooped up Lauren and walked past me. “I’m taking Lauren home. You should reflect on yourself.” Watching their retreating figures, my nails dug into my palms. That night, I came across a post on Lauren’s social media. “He’s so intense, I can’t take it anymore.” She’d attached a photo from inside a car. The reflective glass showed two figures entwined. I’d recognize that man’s profile anywhere, even if he turned to ash. I’d just taken a screenshot as evidence when the post was deleted. Just then, Ethan called, his voice hoarse. “Something came up at the company. I won’t be home tonight.”
On the other end of the line, I could faintly hear a woman’s moans. Before I could speak, he hung up. I gripped my phone tightly, my stomach churning. I rushed to the bathroom and threw up violently. I didn’t sleep all night. When Ethan came home and saw my pale face, he froze for a moment. “Raina, what’s wrong?” He put down his coat and walked toward me. He reached out to feel my forehead, but I turned my head away. His hand stopped mid-air, looking somewhat bewildered. “Nothing. I just didn’t sleep well last night.” I met his gaze and replied flatly. Sensing my coldness, he surprisingly softened his tone to placate me. “Are you angry? I was wrong. I shouldn’t have yelled at you last night.” “But Lauren is your best friend. You’re usually so pampered, and Lauren’s always been accommodating. I was just worried you’d hurt her feelings and lose her as a friend. I got a bit worked up.” “Please don’t be mad at me anymore.” He sounded so sincere, as if he really was thinking of me. Every time he fought with me over Lauren, this was his excuse. Now I found it utterly disgusting. Seeing my silence, he pulled out a small box. “This is your anniversary gift from yesterday. I accidentally left it at the company. I’m giving it to you now—do you like it?” I glanced at the bracelet in his hand. It was from a brand Lauren had always loved. He moved to put it on me. As he got close, I noticed the kiss marks on his neck. His body gave off a strong jasmine scent—the perfume Lauren always wore. I covered my mouth and shoved him away hard. “Stay away from me.” I rushed into the bathroom and threw up violently again. After placating me for so long, Ethan finally exploded. “Raina! What the hell is your problem?” “Can’t you learn from Lauren? She’s always so gentle, not like you—always causing drama!” I washed my face and came out, meeting his impatient gaze. “If Lauren’s so great, go be with her then.” He pointed at me, yanked off his tie and threw it hard on the floor. “That’s enough from you!” He slammed the door on his way out. In the living room, only the jasmine scent lingering in the air kept me company. I stared at the door he’d slammed so violently, my eyes burning with tears. Just then, my phone buzzed. I’d noticed something was off about that post Lauren had quickly deleted yesterday. Following my husband’s following list, I discovered Lauren’s alternate account. This account of Lauren’s was filled with flirtatious exchanges with my husband and put-downs of me. After seeing today’s content, my heart felt like it was being shredded by knives. “The gift he gave me yesterday~” “Just because I like this brand, he bought me all the new releases from this season, saying it’s to make up for me having to watch him celebrate his anniversary with another woman.” “But this bracelet is so tacky. I actually threw it in the trash, but then that idiot threw a tantrum, so I graciously let him take it back to placate that idiot. After all, she’s only worthy of picking up my garbage anyway.” Two photos were attached. One showed a living room filled with gifts. In the other photo, lying in a trash can, was the necklace Ethan said was my anniversary gift. My fingertips had gone numb. The trembling crawled from my fingers through my whole body, even my jaw was shaking. Back in college, Ethan was poor. But to give me a birthday gift, he worked multiple jobs simultaneously for several months, then spent his entire paycheck to buy me a diamond ring. Seeing his hands covered in chilblains and calluses as he held out the ring, I cried from heartache. I told him through tears that any gift would do, he didn’t need to spend so much. He smiled indulgently, his eyes shining with light as he promised earnestly: “How could I just give you anything? You deserve the best things in this world.” “Don’t worry, once I’m successful, I’ll bring all the world’s best things to you.” I smiled through my tears and said okay. I waited and waited, finally waiting until he achieved success. But those old promises had long since scattered with the wind. Now, in his eyes, I was only worthy of picking up someone else’s trash. I used to think the saying “where the money goes, there goes the love” was too cynical. Now I see it’s absolutely true. I accompanied him from poverty to becoming one of the business world’s hottest rising stars. He’s still handsome, and my heart still flutters for him. Until this moment, when my heart was ground to pieces inch by inch, unable to beat anymore. Ethan, we have no future.
For several days, Ethan didn’t come home. I contacted a lawyer to draft divorce papers. During this time, Lauren called. I answered, just about to speak. From the other end came the ambiguous sounds of lips and tongues intertwining. After some rustling, Lauren’s usually gentle voice carried a hint of seduction. “Raina, don’t misunderstand. Ethan had too much to drink and mistook me for you.” “He’s been at my place these past few days. Once he calms down, he’ll come home. Don’t worry.” Her tone carried barely concealed smugness. I felt no emotion whatsoever and calmly hung up. Over these years, similar situations had happened frequently. Ethan and I had been together for so many years, the model couple in everyone’s eyes. Lauren was my best friend since childhood, crying and laughing with me. I’d always considered them the two most important people in my life. But I never noticed anything wrong between them. They’d played me for a fool all along. I started packing, preparing to move out. That evening, Ethan brought Lauren home. As soon as they entered, he first helped Lauren take off her coat. Then he knelt down and personally put slippers on her feet. As if he’d done it countless times, his movements were completely natural. Meeting my gaze, Ethan paused. “Raina, today’s your birthday. I brought Lauren to celebrate with you.” “You should have calmed down by now, right?” Lauren walked over and took my hand, smiling gently. “Raina, happy birthday!” “I specially made you a cake.” I looked at the cake in her hands, remembering the post she’d made this morning: [Made a cake for that idiot. I specially added peanut bits that she’s allergic to.] [Haven’t seen her swell up like a pig in a while. Kind of miss it.] Right now, the smile on her face was sickeningly fake. I coldly shook off her hand. “Get out. You’re not welcome here.” Lauren’s eyes instantly reddened, and she lowered her head, looking lost. Ethan grabbed my hand and dragged me aside, his voice icy. “What’s your problem? If you don’t want to celebrate, just say so. Why take it out on other people!” I looked into his eyes and said seriously: “Then let’s get divorced.” He was clearly stunned. “What did you say?”
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