That evening, when I returned home, my parents had prepared a table full of dishes, including my favorite sweet and spicy ribs steak. Because Connor doesn't like sweet dishes, I hadn't had them in a long time.

"My mom and I think Connor's apparent dislike for us might just be an excuse." We were just chatting about everyday things when my dad suddenly said this. I didn't respond and continued eating my meal.

"Nadine, you've never experienced anything major, so you think too simply. The problem might not be with you, but with him changing," my dad continued.

I still didn't speak because I didn't know what to say. My mom signaled to my dad to stop talking. "We've bought tickets for tomorrow. We won't disturb you anymore."

I looked up, ready to persuade them to stay, but my dad stopped me. "Nadine, this is not a big deal. Some things can be replaced if they're lost." His words further alarmed me and were soon confirmed.

That night, I turned on the home computer and used the browser's cache to access Connor's e-commerce account. When I opened "My Orders," the truth unfolded before my eyes. Lipstick, skincare products, woman bags.

New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, Children's Day, Fourth of July, Christmas, he didn't miss a single one. These orders were for another woman. My cursor hovered over the LV Valentine's Day limited edition bag. I had once joked about when he would buy me a luxury bag.

Connor had reacted strongly at the time, saying that people who carry those bags wear clothes worth thousands and drive cars worth hundreds of thousands. He asked if it wouldn't be ridiculous for me to carry that bag while riding the subway every day. It turned out it wasn't that I didn't deserve the bag because I didn't wear expensive clothes or drive an expensive car. In his mind, I simply wasn't worth it.

At this moment, my dad knocked on the door and said, "It's time to sleep."

"Okay, you guys go ahead," I replied, but I had no intention of sleeping.

My dad said, "Nadine, your mom and I have reminded you before that you should control the household finances. This ..."

I knew what they were worried about, but they didn't know I had already made a big mistake. "Don't worry, Dad. I'll sleep soon."

He seemed to want to say more but shook his head and closed the door.

I clicked on the order delivery address. The recipient was, "Little Missy." The delivery address was a very upscale neighborhood not far from our home, it was Orchid Apartment.

I remembered once walking past that neighborhood with Connor after dinner and he started talking about how high-end neighborhoods like that had separate pathways for people and cars, unlike our neighborhood, where cars were parked everywhere.

I had clung to his arm and said, "When you strike it rich, we'll move here."

I was full of sweetness and didn't notice that he just smiled without promising me anything. It turns out he wasn't just talking casually back then, he had experienced the benefits of a high-end neighborhood and started to despise the shortcomings of ordinary residences.

After three days, Connor finally replied to me, "I'll come back when your parents leave."

Seeing this response, my heart sank. "No need to wait. They've left."

Early that morning, I heard the door open, it was Connor coming back. I sat up in bed. He looked a bit tired. Those deep eyes of his, which I once loved so much, now seemed unreadable.

He looked at me heavily and said, "Let's talk."

Although I knew what was about to happen, I still felt nervous, scared and sad.

"I think we ... should just separate," he said quietly, as if mustering a lot of courage.

"Why? What's wrong with us?" I tried to asked casually.

"It's not you, it's me ..." he said.

"What's wrong with you? Have you fallen for someone else?" I asked him again.

He answered, "No, I just think I'm not suited for marriage. I can't get along with your family."

Just as my dad said, he was using this as an excuse. "Didn't you promise to stay together forever?" I still want some explanation.

"Some things change." He lowered his head and fell silent and the room was suddenly so quiet that I could hear the clock ticking. Connor wiped his face, his voice trembling, "I really can't take it anymore..."

I didn't want to continue this charade, so I took out my phone, showed him the screenshots of the orders he placed for "Little Missy," and threw it to him.

Seeing the picture, Connor's expression shifted from pain to shock.

"You logged into my account?" Like all scumbags, when confronted, he didn't reflect on his mistakes but questioned how I invaded his privacy.

"Who is "Little Missy"?" I demanded.

"She's just a client," Connor frowned.

"What kind of client needs you to nickname her "Little Missy"? What kind of client needs gifts from you on Valentine's Day and Fourth of July?" His answer made me feel he thought I was an idiot.

"You know my job requires special means to secure important clients." Connor stared at me, thinking this explanation would make him seem truthful.

The Connor I thought I knew was just an illusion I had created.

"I came back today to tell you that since we're already divorced, it's best to sort out the remaining matters." At this moment, Connor couldn't hold back his true intentions any longer.

"What remaining matters?" I confused.

"I'll compensate you. So ..." his eyes suddenly turned cold, "I hope you can move out as soon as possible."

The worst outcome I had anticipated finally happened. I had read about such things in the news, but I never thought it would happen to me.

I felt as disgusted as if I had swallowed a bug, but I had no one to talk to about it. I stumbled through work in a daze and drowned my sorrows in alcohol after hours. While I was wallowing in sadness, another event compounded my misery.

I had worked overtime the whole day and it was raining heavily. By the time I managed to get a taxi home, it was already late. But when I reached my apartment, I found I couldn't open the door. Upon closer inspection, I realized the lock had been changed! I had never felt so furious. I grabbed my phone and called Connor, he was the only one who could have done this.

But he didn't answer my call. My heart sank, I was shaking with anger, the rain outside pouring down as if mocking my life. I kept calling, but he didn't pick up. After about a dozen calls, I was exhausted and slumped at the doorstep. After so many days, I finally couldn't hold back and cried bitterly.

I never imagined that I, Nadine Diaz, would end up in such a state. Despite our many years together, Connor had no compassion for me. He chose this rainy day to kick me out in such a heartless manner. He had no bottom line!

Looking back, I realized Connor didn't just dislike my parents, he didn't like my friends either, causing me to drift further away from them. I used to think he was my everything, but now I understand that he was my torment, bringing all the pain and hardship into my life. I called for a taxi, determined to confront him face to face today.

Unfortunately, no one was accepting rides in the rain. I didn't care anymore and ran into the rain. Orchid Apartment was only two kilometers away, I could get there on foot. The cold rain quickly soaked me through. These sad stories always seem to happen in the rain.

Orchid Apartment had strict security, but seeing me drenched and hearing my story about losing my access card, the guard let me in after registration, urging me to go home and take a hot shower.

Building 8, Unit 2, Apartment 1007. Today, I finally stood at this door. This neighborhood was much more luxurious than ours, certainly beyond the means of an intern. Clearly, Connor was footing the bill.

I pounded on the door of Apartment 1007 with all my strength. "Connor, open the door! I know you're in there!" My voice echoed in the empty hallway, finally swallowed by silence.

I kept banging on the door, shouting, "Don't be a coward hiding in there! Come out and face me!" Eventually, my hand turned purple, my voice grew hoarse and still, there was no response from inside. I leaned against the wall, letting my hand fall. It was swollen with pain and I felt hot and sticky from the rain and my rising body temperature. It was extremely uncomfortable.

Just as I was about to knock again, I heard the sound of hurried footsteps from the elevator. "What are you crazy about?" It was Connor. He was flushed, looking like he had rushed over from somewhere. He looked frantic, that word perfectly described his current state.

"What I going crazy about, huh? I'm asking you, what do you mean by this?" I shouted.

"Mean by what?" he asked me back.

The door behind me opened. I turned around and saw "Little Missy". A younger woman, wearing pajamas, looking pitifully at Connor. "Connor, you're finally back. I was so scared," Her voice was very soft. Compared to her, I looked like a raging beast.

Connor brushed past me, not seeing my drenched state, only seeing her fear. He walked over to the girl, putting his arm around her shoulders and said, "Don't be afraid. It's okay. I'm back."

I watched as Connor's eyes filled with tenderness and pity for her. I felt a moment of disorientation. That stare used to be mine, but now it belonged to someone else. The girl looked at me with a victorious gaze, seeing me as a soaked, bedraggled mess.