I took a deep breath as I answered, "Mom, I’ve decided to get a divorce."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line.

"Alright," she finally said. "I support you. Your father and I are scientists, and you have extraordinary talent. I never agreed with you sacrificing your potential for marriage in the first place."

"Get ready. For security purposes, I’ll expedite the process to cancel your residency. We’ll pick you up in a week."

After the call ended, I leaned back on the hospital bed, tears slipping from the corners of my eyes.

For Leon, I bid farewell to my parents years ago and stayed with him overseas.

I could still remember the day he knelt on one knee, promising me, "Sharina, I will love you forever, till death do us part. You are my one and only. If I ever betray you, may I die a horrible death."

Back then, I was so moved that I covered his mouth, not wanting him to utter such ominous words.

It turned out his "forever love" lasted only eight years.

Those who betray true love deserve to swallow a thousand needles!

—

I didn’t know how much time had passed when I heard Leon’s voice echoing down the hospital corridor.

This hospital was under his name. My health had always been fragile, so he had spared no expense in investing in it, hiring top specialists to care for me.

He used to say I was his precious, pampered rose, and he would do anything to ensure my well-being.

For years, I believed I was the happiest woman in the world.

In the hallway, he was furious, berating the hospital staff for their incompetence in failing to save the baby.

Hearing him mention the baby tightened the ache in my chest, and fresh tears rolled down my cheeks.

Eight months... Just a little longer, and the baby could have seen the world.

"Sharina! My wife!"

Leon burst into the room, disheveled and frantic. He looked utterly lost, but when he saw me, it was as though he had found a priceless treasure he nearly lost. He pulled me tightly into his arms.

"Thank God you’re okay. I was so scared... I thought I’d lose you."

"Did I wake you with my shouting earlier?"

I shook my head.

Burying his face on my shoulder, he cried like a child. "You don’t understand. When I got the call about your accident, I was terrified. Sharina, I can’t lose you."

His reddened eyes made my heart ache in ways I couldn’t describe.

I couldn’t understand—who was the real Leon?

After a long moment, he lifted his head.

"Sharina, this was my fault. How about I give you Ever Green Estate as compensation?"

I let out a soft laugh. Compensation for the car accident—or for his guilt after cheating?

When I didn’t respond, he reached out to gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "Don’t worry about the baby. We’ll have another one in the future."

He held me tenderly, his voice full of warmth and care. "Once the renovations at Ever Green Estate are complete, let’s bring your parents to live with us. That way, they won’t have to work so hard back home. With them here, you’ll be much happier."

He made it sound like he had thought of everything for me. But the heavy scent of women’s perfume clinging to him told a different story.

It was nauseating.

I instinctively pushed him away, but my hand caught on his collar, exposing the kiss marks on his neck and chest.

For a moment, vivid images of him entwined with another woman flashed through my mind.

Disgust welled up inside me, and I couldn’t hold it back—I vomited violently.

Without hesitation, Leon reached out to catch the mess with his hands. His worry wasn’t an act; I could feel his genuine concern for me. But the fact that he had been with another woman was equally real.

Tears blurred my vision again.

Leon, you can’t have it all. You can’t.

While Leon went to wash his hands, two nurses nearby whispered excitedly.

"Oh my gosh, Mr. Ramirez is so in love with his wife!"

"Not only did he give her a mansion worth millions, but he even caught her vomit with his bare hands!"

One of the nurses, her eyes sparkling with admiration, said, “My New Year’s wish is to find a man like Mr. Ramirez.”

Yes, Leon loved me. He was undeniably good to me in ways that others could see. But his love wasn’t exclusive.

I lowered my head and let out a self-mocking laugh.

Just then, a notification popped up on my phone—it was a video.

I opened it, my hands trembling uncontrollably.

Inside a car with pink interiors, a woman dressed in a bunny costume was straddling a man. The sound of their gasps and moans rose and fell with their movements. Her coquettish voice was sickeningly sweet.

A second message followed. [Do you recognize this car? Leon said being with me feels so much better. Your child was your bargaining chip, but now it’s gone.]

[Just wait. Soon, I’ll take him away from you, old hag.]

Staring at the video, I felt my breath hitch. I never imagined that the woman Leon was fooling around with would be Zandra, the college student I had personally sponsored.

And the car—it was the birthday gift Leon had given me.

Because I loved pink, he had spent a fortune customizing the car, turning everything from the exterior to the interior into shades of pink, complete with vibrant rose embellishments.

Back then, he had held me close, looking into my eyes with sincerity. “Sharina, this car is yours and yours alone. Only you can sit in it.”

From that day forward, I used the pink car every time I went out. Except for New Year’s Eve, when Leon told me the car was in for maintenance, so I had taken another.

Now, as the video replayed on my phone again and again, I felt like my soul had been ripped apart.

Finally, I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. The tears came like a flood, impossible to stop.

When Leon opened the door and entered the room, I quickly closed the video and wiped my tears, forcing myself to appear composed.

Seeing my reddened eyes, he froze, then hurried to my side. “Sharina, why are you crying?”

His voice was filled with concern as he gently wiped away my tears. I turned my face away. “It’s nothing. I just... feel sorry for the baby.”

Relief swept across his face. “It’s alright. We’ll have another baby.”

—

During the three days I spent in the hospital, Leon stayed by my side, attending to my every need with the utmost care.

When it was time to leave, he pulled up in my pink car, the one that was supposed to be mine and mine alone.

He stepped out and opened the passenger door for me.

What greeted me was a pair of black high heels resting on the floor mat.

I stared at the shoes, my heart sinking.

They weren’t mine.

Leon’s face turned pale. In a panic, he grabbed the shoes and tossed them into a trash bin nearby.

“Honey, these... these were supposed to be a gift for you, but I noticed a flaw and was planning to exchange them. You don’t think I let another woman into the car, do you?”

The nausea in my stomach churned violently, but I managed to let out a faint chuckle. “No, of course not. I think I’ll just walk home.”

Closing the car door, I turned and started walking towards the direction of our house.

Leon scrambled out of the car and ran after me, grabbing my arm. “Sharina, are you mad?”

“That pair of shoes really was for you. Don’t you trust me?”

I forced a lighthearted smile. “What are you talking about? I just feel like stretching my legs after lying in bed for so long.”

He studied me intently, as if trying to determine whether I was upset.

After a moment, he finally sighed in relief. “Alright, I’ll walk with you.”

And so, hand in hand, we walked home.

I couldn’t help but think of how much Leon used to love taking walks.

After dinner, he would always grab my hand. “Honey, let’s go for a walk. Don’t you know that walking together strengthens a couple’s bond?”

I used to laugh and tease him, asking where he got such ideas.

But now, how long had it been since we last walked together?

On the way home, Leon chatted enthusiastically, sharing random anecdotes and amusing stories. I responded half-heartedly, nodding or murmuring in reply.

For a fleeting moment, it felt like the old days—when our world revolved solely around each other.

When we got home, I used fatigue as an excuse to avoid talking further and told him I was sleepy.

He urged me to rest on the couch for a bit, then busied himself in the kitchen, mumbling as he researched recipes.

Every few minutes, he'd announce something he’d read online about nourishing soups or health remedies. Soon, the sounds of chopping and clinking pots filled the air.

Leon was still so attentive, so good to me.

But I...

I picked up the calendar from the coffee table and stared at the dates.

The day of my departure was approaching.

Would Leon feel relieved or heartbroken when I left?

The thought made me chuckle bitterly.

The moment he chose to be with Zandra, he forfeited the right to feel hurt.

I was drifting off on the couch when he appeared with a steaming bowl of soup.

“Honey, try this. It’s my first attempt.”

I opened my eyes, then closed them again. “Leave it on the table. I’m not in the mood.”

He placed the bowl down and knelt beside me, gently stroking my head. “Honey, I feel like you’ve been unhappy lately. There’s a fireworks show tonight. Shall we go watch it together?”

I didn’t want to go, but I didn’t want him to suspect anything either. So I nodded reluctantly.

—

When we arrived, there was still some time before the fireworks show began.

Leon looked up at the sky, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Honey, look! So many stars. It’s rare to see such a clear night in winter.”

I followed his gaze. The sight was breathtaking.

“This New Year has been hard on you,” he said suddenly, pulling me into his arms.

Pointing at the stars, he added, “Honey, let the stars bear witness to our love. I swear again that I’ll double my efforts to make you happy.”

His sincerity was almost overwhelming. If this had been years ago, I might’ve been moved to tears.

Instead, I avoided his gaze and wriggled free from his embrace, pretending to be shy. “We’re an old married couple—why bother with such romantic words?”

He chuckled, mistaking my awkwardness for bashfulness.

“You’re still as adorable as ever,” he said, playfully tapping my nose.

Then he leaned down, about to kiss me.

Before I could pull away, his phone buzzed with a notification.

“Better check that. It could be important,” I said, grateful for the interruption.

He frowned slightly but unlocked his phone.

As he read the message, a blush crept up his ears. He quickly turned off the screen and looked back at me, his eyes betraying a flicker of guilt.

“What’s wrong? Is it work?” I asked, feigning concern. “You should go if it’s urgent. I’ll be fine on my own.”

He hesitated but eventually said, “I’m sorry, honey. It’s something pressing. I’ll make it up to you another time.”

I nodded, and he turned and ran off without looking back.

A wry smile tugged at the corner of my lips. I had seen the message. It was from Zandra.

A photo of her in a provocative red lingerie set accompanied by a text. [My New Year’s battle outfit. I’m camping nearby while you’re watching the fireworks. Up for some fun?]

Between me and Zandra, Leon had chosen her—again.

I stayed and watched the entire fireworks show alone.

The sky lit up with a dazzling display, far more vibrant than on New Year’s Eve.

As I gazed at the spectacular colors, I made a silent resolution.

My life, moving forward, would shine just as brightly.

A life without Leon.

When I returned home, it was already three in the morning.

The house was pitch dark, and Leon was still not back.

Another notification lit up my phone.

It was from Zandra—again.

This time, it was another photo.