In my previous life, Rebecca Lynn and I were seen as a perfect couple by our classmates.

From dating to marriage, we never had a serious argument and always supported each other.

But no one knew that after five years of marriage, our relationship was still purely platonic.

She could never forget her first love, and being with me was just her way of trying to move on.

However, any sign of interest from him would make her fall for him all over again.

In this new life, I've decided to let myself go.

——

"Gabriel, Alan is having surgery today. Just tell Mom and Dad that I can't make it because of a work event."

Rebecca said hurriedly while packing her things. Her makeup was meticulously done, a level of effort she reserved only for seeing Alan Robert.

I reminded her, "Today is your aunt's birthday. It wouldn't look good if you didn't go."

She frowned, "Haven't you always covered for me before?"

"I'm not obligated to take the blame for you with your family anymore. I won't help you lie to them again," I shook my head, looking at her calmly. "Also, let's get a divorce. Then you can be with Alan openly. Isn't sneaking around too much of a hassle?"

After saying that, I left the house first, walking alone on the busy streets, lost in thought.

In this new life, I refuse to live like I did before.

In the past life, Alan got accepted into an art school abroad. As soon as he left, it ended his relationship with Rebecca.

Rebecca was depressed for a long time until her roommates encouraged her to start spending time with me.

None of them mentioned Alan, and she dated, fell in love, and married me as if nothing had happened.

I always thought she was just introverted and shy. She rarely spoke, and I attributed it to her naturally quiet demeanor.

All that time, I never truly understood her.

At our engagement party, everything was going well until Rebecca received a phone call and became visibly distressed.

I had never seen her so panicked before and asked her what was wrong.

Rebecca grabbed my sleeve, looking anxious and helpless. "A friend of mine had an accident during a performance. The stage collapsed, and he's seriously injured. He's in critical condition at the hospital."

I didn't know about Alan's existence and assumed it was just a very close friend. I told her to go see him while I handled things here.

She gave me a grateful look, changed her clothes, and left without looking back. She didn't return until the next day.

"My friend is in a really bad shape, covered in injuries, and still in the ICU," Rebecca said over the phone while I was dealing with our relatives' questions.

"And the doctor said that even if he survives, he might never walk again. For a dancer, that's worse than death! I'll be staying at the hospital for the next few days. I hope you understand."

Her voice was filled with concern for Alan, and she only had four indifferent words for abandoning me—"I hope you understand."

What did I say back then?

I forced a smile through the screen and told her not to worry and to take care of herself.

"I understand. Take good care of him, but don't exhaust yourself. Remember to eat on time."

I reassured her family members, telling them Rebecca had work issues, and smiled through countless explanations.

After that incident, whenever Rebecca couldn't deal with her family, she would push me forward, saying I was better at handling these social interactions.

I was always considerate and attentive, never jealous, and never burdened her with my troubles.

And I wondered if Rebecca even shed a single tear for me when I had my accident.

I wandered aimlessly on the streets for a long time until my phone rang twice, pulling me out of my gloomy thoughts.

It was Rebecca calling.

"Gabriel, why are you being so unreasonable? You know how much Alan is suffering right now. If he wasn't desperate, he wouldn't have come to me. Is it worth causing a scene over this?"

I found it somewhat amusing.

Marrying her first love, who could no longer take care of himself and relied on her, was exactly what she's always wanted.

Now that I was giving her what she wanted, why was she turning it around on me?

I certainly understood how much pain Alan was in right now. An accident took away his health and future, which was indeed a significant blow.

But that's not a reason for him to have someone else's wife take care of him.

I've seen how Rebecca took care of Alan. He lay in the hospital bed with a look of utter despair, while she patiently stayed by his side, telling him jokes to cheer him up. Whatever he wanted to eat, she went out of her way to get it for him, even if it meant running across several blocks.

We've been married for so many years, yet she probably didn't even know what I liked to eat.

"I'm not arguing with you," I said, taking a deep breath and trying to reason with her. "Over the years, both Alan and I have seen how much you've done for him. I was willing to wait for you before, but I can't wait any longer. I'm truly fed up. Let's get a divorce. You can rightfully marry Alan, and I'll step aside for you two."

In my past life, I was always understanding and compromising.

But what did I get in return? They kept pushing their limits, step by step.

Five years went by, and no matter how much I gave or tolerated, she never looked back at me even once.

I was not the one who caused Alan's injury and disability. Why should I pay for someone else's life?

I hung up the phone and then called Rebecca's parents.

"Hello, why are you kids so late? Rebecca's aunt is coming back today, and the restaurant is already booked. Why haven't you arrived yet?"

There was a slight tone of reproach, as if speaking to a child who doesn't know better.

Although it's always Rebecca who made excuses to her family, after doing it so many times, I inevitably got blamed as well.

I politely told her, "Rebecca can't make it today. She'll explain the reason to you herself. Since she's not going, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to attend alone. So, I'll skip it too. Let Rebecca explain to her aunt herself."

"What's going on?" Rebecca's mother Doris sounded worried. "Is something wrong with Rebecca?"

Since she asked, I told her the truth. "Rebecca's friend is having surgery again today, and she's gone to take care of him."

Doris sounded angry upon hearing this. "What friend? How come I don't know about this friend? Is someone else's matter more important than her own aunt?"

I wanted to laugh.

How could an unrelated friend be more important than a blood relative? Anyone would understand this, but Rebecca never did.

She used me as a scapegoat to fool her parents and relatives.

Because, in her heart, nothing was more important than Alan.

Not long after I hung up, Rebecca called, questioning why I told her parents about Alan.

"You did this yourself. I have no obligation to cover for you. Besides, I've sent you the divorce agreement. Take a look, and if there are no issues, let's get the divorce done as soon as possible."

Rebecca's voice was tinged with suppressed urgency. "I don't know what's gotten into you today, but there's nothing between Alan and me. You don't have to be paranoid. About Auntie Esther..."

I interrupted her. "Whether you and Alan are innocent or deeply in love doesn't concern me. There's no love between us. Getting divorced sooner will be a relief for both of us. You can explain to Auntie Esther yourself; I won't help you."

As adults, we should be responsible for our actions instead of pushing innocent people to take the fall.

"How can you be so heartless!" Rebecca suddenly became anxious. "Do you know that Alan just posted another update? Even in his pain, he tells everyone to be strong and brave. How can you not empathize with him at all? You're not even a fraction of the man he is."

Of course, I know what kind of act Alan puts on social media, creating an image of a brave and strong person to garner sympathy and pity.

But what did he do behind the screen?

He lay on his bed, wallowing in self-pity and taking it for granted that someone else's wife should take care of him. Where was the bravery and strength in that?

When he's in pain, his legs hurt, during rehab, or surgery—every single thing required Rebecca's care. He even called her at night when he couldn't sleep or needed help turning over.

How pathetic.

I said coldly, "You're absolutely right. I'm not worthy. I'm sure you can't wait to leave me. Let's get the divorce done tomorrow."

That night when I got home, Rebecca was nowhere to be found. I didn't even need to guess; she was probably out taking care of someone who needed her pity again.

The next day, Rebecca still hadn't returned, but her parents showed up at my door.

Doris spoke to me earnestly, "Gabriel, we had no idea that girl was so thoughtless. Please don't take it to heart. We'll give her a good scolding."

Rebecca's father, David, not wanting to lose me as a son-in-law, added, "Yes, you're too understanding and accommodating to her."

I knew this news was hard for them to accept, but no matter what, I couldn't keep tolerating and compromising.

Seeing that their words weren't swaying me, Rebecca's parents even offered to transfer their property to me as compensation for Rebecca's wrongdoings.

I hurriedly declined, "No matter what, I'm divorcing Rebecca. I can't accept these things for no reason."

Rebecca's parents, seeing they couldn't persuade me, angrily called Rebecca, and the family started arguing loudly over the phone.

Not wanting to witness the drama, I volunteered to cook dinner, shutting out the noise.

When Rebecca came back, she looked utterly exhausted.

"Why can't you just understand him for once?"

Her parents were infuriated by her words. "Understand him? Is he our child? Why should we understand a homewrecker? What are you thinking?"

Rebecca's eyes reddened instantly. "There's nothing improper between Alan and me. Stop slandering him."

"Nothing improper? What kind of decent man calls a girl every day to take care of him? Use your brain and think about what you're really caring about."

"Why are you so unreasonable?"

Rebecca was stunned by her parents' harsh words.

I couldn't tell if it was my past tolerance and understanding or her devotion to Alan that had clouded her judgment.

Everyone who saw through Alan became "unreasonable" in her eyes.

She suddenly noticed me standing aside, watching the scene unfold, and tried to use me as a shield again. "Gabriel, tell them, Alan isn't like that!"

If it were the old me, I would've defended her, explained things, and gone along with her wishes, all understanding and compliant.

But now everything was different.

I asked, "Say what? That you don't love me? That your heart belongs to Alan?"

Rebecca stared at me in shock. "What's wrong with you? You weren't like this before."

Her mood shifted, and I could tell she was angry.

She had never been angry with me before in the past life; her emotions were always tied to Alan.

"Rebecca, I'm tired," I said flatly, mirroring the indifference she'd shown me over the past five years. "I used to be understanding, respectful because I thought you'd eventually come around."

I shrugged nonchalantly. "But now I see that's impossible. So, Rebecca, we're done."

"You should take a look at the divorce papers. Let's finalize the divorce soon, so you can fly off with your dream lover."

I smiled calmly, without any emotional turmoil, just a deep sense of weariness.

"Rebecca, you guys are a perfect match, I wish you both the best."