On Valentine's Day, my wife, Hailey Anderson, and her male secretary were both sent to the hospital.

The doctor said it was carbon monoxide poisoning. They were found naked and fainted in the car together.

Fortunately, the passers-by found them in time and saved their lives.

When I arrived at the hospital, I had a mixed feeling.

A message Hailey sent me an hour ago was still on my phone.

[Honey, I'll come home and spend Valentine's Day with you as soon as the meeting ends.

[Wait for me! I swear that I will give you an unforgettable surprise!]

——

"Sir, are you a relative of the patient?"

"Sir?"

I came back to my senses, took a deep breath, and said to the doctor, "I'm not her family member. I'm just an ordinary friend."

The doctor asked again, "Do you know any of her family?"

I wrote down Hailey's father's number and left the hospital.

When I got home, I buried myself on the sofa and smoked all night.

Hailey and I had known each other for nine years.

The first time we met was at the entrance ceremony of our college.

She was wearing a white dress and playing the piano on the stage.

She was as beautiful as an otherworldly fairy. She had won the hearts of many of her peers, including me.

I defeated all her pursuers and finally won her heart.

After graduating from college, we got married and became a couple envied by countless people.

I hid my identity as a rich second generation and used the funds given by my family to set up a company. I started from scratch with Hailey.

In just a few years, the business was booming.

However, the unexpected happened. I was diagnosed with a cardiac disease that I couldn't overwork myself. I could only let go of the company's affairs and stay at home to recuperate.

It was at this point that Mathew Rice appeared.

He was Hailey's high school classmate and was recruited as secretary.

After Mathew joined the company for three months, I keenly noticed a subtle change in Hailey.

She didn't have the habit of putting on makeup, but now she had to dress up carefully before going to work every day.

She had never liked to wear stockings and high heels, saying that the high heels made her uncomfortable. But now they became her daily necessities.

She even quietly changed her perfume.

When we were watching the TV shows together in the evening, she no longer snuggled up to me. Instead, she sat far away with her phone and would smile from time to time.

When I asked her what she was laughing at, and she would always brush me off.

Sex became a burden for her. What used to be four or five times a week had now become two or three times a month. And each time it was rushed and perfunctory without any romantic feelings.

When I asked her, she explained that she was too busy with work and was not in the mood.

Although I was confused, I didn't suspect her.

It wasn't easy for Hailey and me to get to where we were. I loved her deeply and was willing to do anything for her.

I thought it was the same for her.

That only death would do us part.

Hailey did give me a big "surprise" on Valentine's Day.

An unforgivable surprise.

I had thought that I would collapse, and be hysterical.

Instead, it was the complete opposite for me.

My heart was as calm as still water.

Hailey came back the next morning.

She was fully recovered, and she acted as if nothing had happened. When she smelled the odor of smoke in the living room, she frowned.

"Honey, why are you smoking again?" She asked.

As she opened the window to ventilate, she complained incessantly.

I used to be addicted to smoking, at least two packs a day.

I quit smoking after I decided to pursue Hailey.

Because she said that she didn't like the smell of cigarettes.

At that time, my roommate laughed at me and said, "I bet you can't."

I didn't expect that I would quit smoking completely for love.

They could only joke that simps were really powerful.

Hailey snatched the cigarette butt from my hand and stubbed it out.

Through the thin smoke, I looked at her beautiful profile and lit another cigarette.

Hailey said sulkily but also coquettishly, "Honey, you promised me that you wouldn't smoke.

"You've persisted for so many years. Why did you break the rule again?

"Do you have something on your mind?"

I replied, "No, I didn't." Then, I put out the cigarette in the ashtray.

Then, I asked lightly, "Where did you go last night?"

A trace of panic flashed across Hailey's beautiful eyes, but she quickly calmed down.

"Mathew fainted last night. I sent him to the hospital and took care of him for the whole night," lied Hailey.

I did not expose her and continued to ask, "Oh? Why did he faint?"

"The doctor said it was low blood sugar. Alas, Mathew is smart, capable, and hardworking, but unfortunately, he is physically weak.

"He worked overtime for several days in a row for the company. He was so busy that he didn't even have time to eat. As a result, such a thing happened.

"Mathew has no relatives in Riverland. As his boss and classmate, I should help him a bit."

"Mm," I replied.

"I thought you had spent Valentine's with another man."

Hailey rolled her eyes at me.

"How is that possible, honey? You didn't smoke because of jealousy, did you?"

I smiled and said, "No."

"We've been married for so many years. Don't you know my heart?"

Hailey sat down next to me and wrapped her arms around me.

"Sorry, honey. My phone ran out of battery last night, so I didn't call you. You won't blame me, will you?"

"No, I won't."

Hailey lit up with please, "I knew it. Honey, you are the best."

She wanted to kiss me.

But I subconsciously turned my head.

Hailey was a little surprised. She expected me to accept her enthusiastically.

How could I turn my head away from her?

"Honey, what are you..."

I found an excuse for myself. "My mouth is full of the smell of cigarettes. I don't want to disgust you."

"I don't mind."

Hailey still gave me a kiss.

Her lips were thin and cold.

I couldn't feel any trace of enthusiasm from them.

It was as if she was completing a mission.

After the kiss, she went to take a shower.

I lit another cigarette, puffing, and looked in the direction of the bathroom in a daze.

We had been married for so many years, and I had done a lot for Hailey.

I washed her feet, combed her hair, and put her on her clothes.

I comforted her at her worst and accompanied her at her best.

Her every frown would make me nervous and distressed.

It was inevitable for husband and wife to have quarrels.

However, every time after our quarrel, I would try my best to make her laugh until she really did.

I would hold her hands when days were freezing.

I would shield her with my coat when days were raining.

I would take good care of her when she was sick.

Every time we hung out, I would carry all the bags so that she could enjoy shopping and snacking.

I kept everything she liked in mind.

And everything she disliked as well.

Because I loved her and cared about her.

But I didn't expect that my effort would be paid back with hypocrisy and betrayal.

And I was a ridiculous clown.

After taking a shower, Hailey came out in a sexy nightgown and sat on my lap.

Her was still perfectly fit.

Because she said that she didn't want to lose her figure, I had never mentioned having a baby.

Hailey's eyes were captivating.

"I'm sorry, honey. I neglected you last night. It's all my fault.

"Let me make it up to you now."

Just as she pushed me down, the phone on the sofa suddenly rang.

Hailey ignored it and chose to continue.

"Why didn't you answer it?" I asked.

"Because my husband is the most important. Even the president can't disturb us now."

Hailey giggled and reached out to take off my pants.

"What if it's Mathew calling?" I asked indifferently.

The smile on her pretty face froze, her movements stopped, and her eyes flickered slightly with shock.

"Well... honey, wait a minute."

She picked up her phone. When she saw the caller ID, her face changed.

I could guess from her expression that I was right.

It was indeed a call from Mathew.

"I'm sorry, honey. Mathew must have some serious business. I'll answer the phone first."

After saying that, she ran to the balcony to answer the phone.

I stood up calmly and put on my pants.

As I had expected, after answering the phone, Hailey said that she had something urgent to deal with and had to go to the company first.

I said, "It's okay. Go ahead."

She took off her pajamas, put on stockings and a short skirt, and spent a few minutes putting on light makeup to make herself look beautiful.

When she was opening the door, I stopped her.

"Do you remember what day it will be after three days?"

Hailey was stunned for a moment. "What day?"

I smiled and said, "Never mind. Don't make Mathew wait. Hurry."

She didn't think much about it. She put on her high heels and left with her bag.

I wanted to tell her that the day was my birthday.

It was obvious that she had long forgotten about it...

On my birthday, Hailey didn't wish me a happy birthday.

The only message she sent was that she had a client to attend to and that I should go to bed early and not wait for her.

I bought myself a cake, made Hailey's favorite dishes, and then sat aside at the dining table, smoking.

I smoked silently alone for several hours.

At midnight, Mathew updated his Instagram.

It was a photo taken in a bar. Although the light was dim and the photo was blurry, I could tell at a glance who the woman sitting next to him was.

The two of them hugged each other so tightly.

Mathew added, [I feel like I've been walking for a long time before I met you and I'm finally home.]

I gave his post a like with no expression on my face. Then, I poured the cake and dishes into the trash can.

It was not until three o'clock in the morning that Hailey entered our house.

She smelled of cigarettes and alcohol, and could barely walk. It was me who helped her into the bathroom.

After taking off her skirt, I found that her leggings were gone.

It destroyed my last hope.

After taking a shower, Hailey sobered up a lot.

I poured her a cup of warm honey water as usual.

Then I asked, "Which client got you so drunk?"

Hailey blushed and didn't dare to look me in the eye.

"It's a new client from Sealand. You don't know him."

"Oh." I murmured, and just said, "Go to bed early."

When I woke up the next day, I deliberately asked Hailey, "Since you're so busy with work, do you want to cancel our travel next week?"

Hailey shook her head repeatedly. "Of course not! It's our fifth anniversary travel. We cannot cancel that."

She promised that she would make arrangements in advance, and make time for our travel.

I had planned this trip since the beginning of the year.

I had put a lot of effort into our daily itinerary, including each attraction we were going to visit and each hotel we were staying.

The plane tickets had also been booked a long time ago.

I put in so much effort in order to give her the best memories.

I asked with pretended casualness, "Why are you so sure? Don't you need to discuss it with Mathew?"

Hailey was slightly stunned. "Why should I discuss with him?"

I smiled faintly and said no more.

On the agreed day, Hailey did not break her promise. She put all her work aside and set off with me.

Our first destination was an ancient town, named Mable County. It was also the shooting site of Hailey's favorite movie.

The reason why I chose the town was because Hailey had once said that she yearned for the eternal love expressed in the movie.

And that I was her eternal love.

Hailey changed into a special costume and looked even more beautiful than the leading actress. She took me around and seemed so happy. She even posted a lot of beautiful photos on her Instagram.

Many of them were photos of me and her.

Our relatives and friends all gave likes, saying that we were a perfect match.

After a day's travel, we returned to the hotel.

Just as I was about to take a shower, Hailey's phone rang.

She picked it up, took a look, and hung up.

"Who's calling?" I asked. "Why aren't you answering?"

Hailey nonchalantly replied, "I don't know the number. Maybe a crank call."

As soon as she finished speaking, her cell phone rang again.

She still rejected the call.

I ignored her and went into the bathroom to take a shower.

When I closed the door, I could see the complicated expression on her face.

She seemed to be in a dilemma.