After I finished taking a shower, I saw a watch on the coffee table in the living room.

"Take something that others don't want and give it to me as a gift?

Clara, you don't even care to give me a proper apology."

I threw the watch into the trash can and went back to the bedroom. I intended to sleep, but my headache kept me awake. So, I played with my phone and ended up watching Clara's interview video.

Jackson was also there.

They fed each other fruits and showed their affection, smiling happily and talking about their college days.

The comments section was full of praise, calling them a perfect match made in heaven.

I sent Clara another message, making my stance clear. "It's over. Let's get a divorce."

I threw my phone aside, gave my head a few light thumps with my hand, and took three more painkillers. Only then did I start to feel some relief.

"Javier Foster, is it worth suffering this lifelong illness for Clara?

Were you so cheap before?" I asked myself.

Clara was my childhood sweetheart and always remained a school beauty.

The ordinary me seemed out of place next to her, attracting envy from others.

I liked her but felt too insecure to confess my feelings, so I quietly watched over her.

I remembered there was a gangster who cornered Clara at the school gate, forcing her to be his girlfriend.

Without hesitation, I grabbed a brick and charged at him. The sneak attack was successful, but I was also beaten badly in the process.

After we went to the university, Clara was still the center of everyone's attention, while I continued to be extraordinarily ordinary.

She liked the school hunk Jackson and asked me for help.

Although I felt depressed, I still did everything I could to help because I wanted her to be happy.

My WhatsApp status at that time was: [The purest love is innocence and silent protection.]

Later, Jackson went abroad to study, and Clara disappeared.

When I found her, she was wandering the streets alone in the middle of the night, drunk and running red lights.

Just then, a car was approaching.

I hurriedly pushed her out of the way and got hit by the car myself. I was in a coma for seven days, hospitalized for nearly half a year, and suffered a head injury.

On the day I was discharged from the hospital, Clara confessed her love to me, and I happily agreed.

In the beginning, both of our parents were pleased and urged us to get the marriage certificate.

It wasn't until Clara participated in a singing competition show that things changed.

Clara had an excellent temperament and image, and her singing was also good, which led to her instant rise to fame.

Her parents asked me to sign a secret marriage agreement, requiring me to pretend to be her assistant and not appear in public as her husband.

I loved her.

For the sake of this family, I compromised.

For seven years, I silently protected her and played the role of an invisible husband, hoping that one day I could come into the light and show our love like other couples.

After Jackson returned to the country, this thought wavered several times.

Clara picked him up in person at the airport.

Jackson, in front of me, pressed his face against hers and said it was overseas etiquette.

My traditional beliefs were greatly challenged.

Clara didn't care about my thoughts and instead brought Jackson back to her parents' house for dinner.

Her parents praised him for his success and being a returnee, while they treated me like a servant.

Their relationship became increasingly close, and rumors began to surface.

Clara said it was just hype like before.

I had doubts in my heart but still held on to a glimmer of hope, waiting for Clara to fulfill her promise of a public announcement.

In the end, I was brutally betrayed.

Everyone on the internet knew they were together.

What did that make me? A third wheel?

This betrayal left my heart shattered into pieces.

I only managed to fall asleep until early in the morning. But after just a few hours, I was woken up by the pain.

Recently, the headaches had been occurring more frequently.

I plan to go to the hospital for a follow-up check today.

"Darling, where's my pancakes with fresh fruit? Why didn't you make it for me?"

Clara's voice came.

She seemed like she didn't receive the divorce message I sent and acted as usual.

I walked out of the bedroom and said, "I have a headache and feel very uncomfortable."

"In the past, when I came back after a whole night of work, you would always make me something delicious! You've changed!" Clara said, pouting.

"Really? I won't do that anymore."

I rubbed my temples and continued, "You were really busy with work before. But last night, you went to be with Jackson, didn't you?"

"What do you mean by that? It's so harsh to hear it. It's all for work. Jackson and I are just friends!"

Clara's eyes darted away as she shouted, trying to cover up her guilt.

"Whatever. It has nothing to do with me. We are getting divorced anyway."

I frowned and waved my hand.

"Why are you talking about divorce when you've already accepted the gifts I gave you? Is it because the gifts I bought aren't good enough?" Clara said, clenching her fists and standing up abruptly.

Her charming face lost its playful expression and gradually revealed a hint of impatience.

Clearly, she had no intention of pretending anymore.

"I already threw it in the trash.

You're giving me the watch that Jackson discarded? Hmph, even a dog wouldn't want it!" I said coldly.

Clara looked into the trash can, first shocked, then raised her head and scolded me arrogantly, "Javier Foster, what do you mean by this?

This watch is from a famous brand and is very expensive! What's there to be so dismissive about?"

She became angrier as she spoke and even broke a cup.

Those who didn't know would think that I cheated on her.

"The most precious gift is deep affection," I repeated what Clara said.

She was suddenly at a loss for words. After being stunned for several seconds, she finally said impatiently, "I have already explained to you what happened at the concert last night. What else do you want? Do you want me to beg for your forgiveness?"

"Let's get a divorce," I replied firmly.

Clara said nothing, picked up her bag, slammed the door, and left.

She probably thought I would calm down on my own and engage in self-persuasion.

I sent a resignation text message to the person in charge.

The thought of not only having to cater to Clara but also watching her show off her affection with Jackson at the company made me feel sick.

I just wanted to stay away.

Later, the person in charge agreed.

I sighed deeply, lost my appetite for breakfast, took a painkiller, and hurriedly went to the office to pack up my things.

But as soon as I entered the office, I ran into Jackson.

"Javier, you're here just in time. Help me carry my bag," Jackson said with a smile.

He was nothing like the gentleman he appeared to be and always used work-related matters to undermine me and boss me around.

Once, he deliberately made me send incorrect information to another artist. As a result, I was rebuked.

Meanwhile, he managed to distance himself entirely from the situation.

I complained to Clara, but she didn't believe me at all and kept saying that Jackson was not that kind of bad guy.

"I'm not free," I refused coldly.

"Hey, don't be so petty. What happened last night was just an act, so don't take it to heart."

Jackson narrowed his eyes slightly, leaned close to my ear, and whispered, "I won't tell anyone that your wife's lips are very soft and sweet."

My face couldn't help but darken.

Perhaps it was the overwhelming frustration and pent-up anger, but my head started to ache again.

But Jackson seemed to ignore it, still holding out the bag in front of me.

"Get lost!"

I raised my hand and knocked the bag away.

Just at this moment, Clara walked out of the elevator and saw this scene.

Jackson hurriedly played the victim and complained to her, "Clara, look at him!

I just asked him to help me carry my bag, and he told me to get lost..."

It was the same old trick again.

I was fed up and no longer hoped that she would say anything to help me.

As expected, Clara's first reaction was to blame me. "Javier, you knew that Jackson's assistant had asked for leave, and he injured his arm. How much would it hurt you to help him with the bag? Would it cost you a piece of flesh?

You're so lacking in empathy. How will you handle things at the company in the future? Who would want to deal with you?"

The endless barrage of accusations only made my headache worse.

"That's enough!

I already resigned!"

She wanted me to sympathize with Jackson. Then who'd sympathize with me?

Suddenly, Clara was stunned.

"Clara is famous for her good temper. Who wouldn't want to be her assistant? But you actually resigned. You really don't know how blessed you are," Jackson scolded me.

Blessed?

Why didn't I feel it?

Was it a blessing that anyone in the company could order me around?

Was it a blessing to be angry every day?

Forget it!

Frowned, Clara clenched her fists and said, "Don't regret it."

She was angry, clearly blaming me for not discussing it with her and accusing me of causing trouble.

"Don't worry.

I will never look back."

With that, I walked towards the elevator.

"Wait!

How can you talk to Clara like this? What's your attitude? You ungrateful bastard, apologize to her now!"

Jackson was unwilling to let it go. He actually chased after me and grabbed my shoulders.

"Fuck off!"

I frowned and pushed him away.

Jackson took a step back, pretended to stumble, and fell to the ground, groaning in pain.

"Jackson!"

Clara hurried over to help him, glared at me, and said, "Javier, you're going too far. If you have an issue, take it up with me. Jackson hasn't done anything to offend you, so why are you bullying him?"

Meanwhile, a smug smile appeared at the corner of Jackson's mouth, which was extremely provocative.

Did I bully Jackson?

It was he who made the first move. I just reacted instinctively.

Clara, why did you have to lie through your teeth? Why did you always have to blame me?

Was it possible that our years of being childhood sweethearts and seven years of secret marriage couldn't compare to a fleeting stranger who suddenly appeared?

Anger surged, and frustration took hold.

I felt like my head was about to explode. Unconsciously, I clasped my hands over my head and let out a few muffled groans.

Beads of sweat kept appearing on my forehead.

"Javier, what's wrong with you?"

Clara ran towards me but stopped after a few steps, looking suspicious, and asked, "Are you faking it? I remember you only had a slight cold."

I lifted my head and asked, "Do I look like I'm faking it?"

People nearby exclaimed in surprise.

"My goodness! Why is his face so pale? It's like all the blood has been drained out."

"With such a pained expression and his nails digging into his flesh, it doesn't look like he's faking it."