The day I joined the Geological Society, I teased Theo Chandler with a playful warning:

"If you ever betray me, I’ll vanish so completely that you’ll never find me."

He took my hand, kissed it tenderly, and vowed with all the sincerity in the world:

"I would never betray you. But if I ever lost you, I’d dig to the ends of the earth to bring you back."

Fate has a cruel sense of irony. One day, I walked into the master bedroom to find him entangled with his secretary, Celeste Radcliffe.

I didn’t scream or cry. Instead, I left quietly, my heart heavy but my dignity intact.

Now, he’s searching for me everywhere—chasing shadows and whispers. But just like I warned him, I’ve made sure I’m nowhere he can reach.

...

As a geologist, I had just completed a grueling month of exploration on an undeveloped desert island in the northwest. The relentless climbing, wading, and high-intensity work had pushed my body to its limits. The moment the project was done, exhaustion overtook me; my vision went black, and I collapsed into a deep sleep.

When I woke up, I was back in San Francisco. Overwhelmed with relief and joy, my happiness grew when I learned there was a tiny life growing inside me—a small embryo nestled in my belly. I couldn’t stop imagining how Theo would react to the news.

I wanted to surprise him, so I didn’t tell him the exact date of my return. But as I stepped into our home, my heart sank. From the bedroom came muffled, unmistakable sounds—laughter, moans, and voices that made my stomach churn.

"Mr. Chandler, who’s better, me or her?" Celeste’s voice was coy, teasing, dripping with mockery.

Theo’s reply was cruel, his tone laced with disdain.

"Fiona’s dead fish eyes… she bores me to death. She thinks I actually like her? I only tolerate her because she’s so obedient."

I froze, clutching the ultrasound report, feeling my heart shatter piece by piece. It wasn’t just the betrayal; it was the venom in his words, reducing me to nothing more than a joke. My hands instinctively cradled my stomach, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I felt the faintest flutter from within—as if the tiny life inside me was responding to my pain.

Child, you’ve come at the wrong time.

Silently, I reached for my phone and recorded the scene—his words, her laughter, the sounds that would haunt me forever. I saved the file and steeled myself to leave.

But then Celeste’s voice rose again, playful and sharp. "Oh, it seems Fiona is back. She’s outside."

Theo’s movements slowed, but only for a moment. His voice was full of mockery.

"You care about her now? That’s cute. She’s probably just standing there, watching from the sidelines. What can she do? Without me, she’s nothing."

He was right—Theo knew me too well. He knew I wouldn’t scream, wouldn’t cry, wouldn’t tear at him like some broken-hearted madwoman. My dignity wouldn’t allow it.

Yes, it was Theo who sponsored my college education, and it was his family’s company that funded our project. Now, I realize he must think I’m only after his family’s wealth. That must be why he feels no guilt, shamelessly desecrating our wedding room with someone else, treating me as if I’m insignificant.

I don’t even remember how I managed to walk out of the bedroom. Standing outside the door, I watched the faint light flicker on in the master bedroom. Their overlapping shadows moved against the walls, each silhouette a dagger to my chest. The pain was unbearable, and tears welled up in my eyes.

In a moment of self-inflicted anguish, I dialed his video phone. I didn’t expect him to answer—but he did.

"Theo, I’m back. Pick me up at the airport," I said, my voice trembling yet calm.

He covered the microphone, but I could still hear Celeste’s muffled giggles and the sound of her kissing him with reckless abandon.

Theo’s breathing was heavy, his tone deliberately composed, yet the strain in his voice betrayed him.

"Honey, just take a taxi home. I’m working overtime. Don’t worry, I’ll be there to welcome you when you get back."

I ended the call, tears streaming down my face as a bitter smile formed on my lips. When I return, he won’t even recognize what he’s lost.

That night, I went to the hospital under the cover of darkness. The doctors were surprised when I said I wanted to terminate the pregnancy. Only hours ago, when they told me I was expecting, I had been brimming with joy.

One of the doctors glanced at my records, her expression softening with concern. She reminded me of my medical history, of the child I had lost before because of my short cervix. Seeing how hard it had been for me to conceive this time, she gently tried to dissuade me.

"Have you thought it through? If you go through with this, it may bring you pain in the future," the doctor asked, her voice laced with concern.

I gently placed a hand over my lower abdomen, feeling the faintest spark of life within. Looking at the doctor with a calm I didn’t fully feel, I replied, "Yes, I’ve thought it through. Let this child go to another family that can give them happiness."

The doctor hesitated, her eyes searching mine for a trace of doubt. But seeing my resolve, she let out a soft sigh and turned back to her files. "Next week, pack your things and ask a family member to accompany you the day before the surgery to complete the formalities."

She seemed tired, as though this wasn’t the first time she had heard such a decision. Her sigh lingered in the room long after she left.

Later, I checked into a small hotel and settled down. Opening my laptop, I began organizing the files my professor had just sent over. No one in the academic circle knew about the surgery, and I wanted to keep it that way. If they found out, they’d only worry about me, and I couldn’t bear that.

"What should I do? The charming CEO only has eyes for me! I love him so much, I’ll work hard to be his partner for life! #Mr.Chandler"

The comments underneath made it worse, a chorus of support for their so-called "perfect couple."

"The domineering CEO from those short dramas has come true! I’m swooning!"

"[+1] I can’t handle this—they’re too cute!"

...

The picture showed a handmade dress—a gown I had asked Theo to help me find before leaving on a business trip. I had planned to wear it for our anniversary, but his response had been anything but supportive.

"It's just an anniversary, and you still want a handmade dress? Do you really think my money grows on trees?" he had snapped impatiently.

Now, seeing that very dress in his secretary's hands, displayed so openly on her social media, I felt a bitter irony. Still, I casually liked and commented under her post:

"The CEO from the office drama has become a reality, huh?"

I assumed my comment would go unnoticed, lost among the sea of sycophants fawning over her. But, to my surprise, a sharp-eyed colleague caught it and deleted it almost immediately. The entire comment section vanished shortly after.

They didn’t need to bother. I wasn’t the type to cling to a man who didn’t value me. Even if that dirty man knelt before me, begging for forgiveness, I wouldn’t give him so much as a glance.

Later, as I lay in bed, trying to will myself to sleep, Theo’s phone vibrated loudly in the room. The sound startled me, dispelling any remnants of sleepiness. I scrambled to mute it, my hands trembling.

For a brief, foolish moment, I thought he might have noticed my absence and called out of concern. But when I answered, his voice was anything but caring.

"What’s wrong with you? Have you lost your mind? Why are you commenting on Celeste’s post? She’s threatening to quit now!"

I couldn’t say a word, stunned into silence.

"Since you’re coming back from the airport, stop by the boutique street and pick up a gift for her. Apologize properly. We’re still working overtime here, and if she really quits, your project will have to be suspended."

His words were like a slap, each one stinging more than the last.

"Oh, and she’s been craving your sweet and sour pork ribs. She said she’s tried them before and loved them. Can you make some for her tomorrow?"

I froze. My chest felt hollow, and my hands went cold. I thought my heart had already turned to stone, but as his words sank in, I felt the familiar sting of betrayal. My nose burned as tears threatened to fall.

Why, even now, did his thoughtlessness still hurt?

He once instructed the housekeeper to keep me out of the kitchen, saying, "Your hands are meant for research, not cooking or washing dishes."

But back then, I was determined. Despite the burns and blisters from hot oil, I persisted. Mary, the housekeeper, couldn’t bear to watch me struggle and quietly guided me through each step. After countless attempts, I finally perfected the recipe.

The sweet and sour pork ribs he so casually mentioned? I spent hours secretly learning from tutorial videos, practicing over and over. Mary patiently corrected my mistakes until I got it just right. I even adjusted the sweetness because I knew he didn’t like overly sweet dishes. When I finally made it for him, I thought it would mean something.

But in the end, every bite ended up in her stomach.

Anyone with half a brain could see what was happening—how the boss doted on that “little girl” so blatantly. And now, he wanted me, his wife, to personally buy her a gift and apologize on her behalf? Where did that leave my dignity?

When Celeste threatened to resign, Theo panicked as if the entire company would crumble without her. His desperation was so evident that it stung.

I didn’t want to go. Every fiber of my being screamed against it. But Theo held the economic lifeline of our research team in his hands. If I refused, I knew he wouldn’t hesitate to cut our funding. The thought of jeopardizing months of hard work and my team’s efforts weighed heavily on me.

So, after much deliberation, I decided to go.

After all, buying her a gift was insignificant compared to the importance of our team’s research project.

It was late at night, and the drive from home to the company took barely ten minutes. Theo’s effort to keep everything hidden from me was convincing, but not enough to fool me.

When I entered his office, I was greeted by a scene that felt like a dagger to my chest. Celeste was perched on his lap, her arms wrapped around his neck as she teased him. The indulgent smile on Theo’s face—a look he used to reserve for me—now belonged to her.

My heart clenched painfully, my face drained of color. The gift in my hand trembled as I gripped it tightly, my teeth clenched to keep myself from making a sound.

Inside, they continued their shameless flirting, oblivious to the world outside their bubble. The man who used to whisper sweet nothings in my ear was now kissing another woman without restraint.

I couldn’t bear it any longer. Anger surged through me as I threw the door open and hurled the gift in my hand at them.

"Theo, how dare you betray me? You make me sick!"

The shock in his eyes was brief. He quickly shielded Celeste, his focus entirely on her. When he noticed the faint red mark on her hand from the gift I had thrown, his face darkened with rage. Without hesitation, he grabbed the vase on his desk and hurled it at me.

Pain shot through my arm as the vase struck me, but the ache in my chest was far worse. I couldn’t tell which hurt more—my injured arm or my shattered heart.

"Fiona, have you lost your mind? Do you know what you’ve done? Celeste just secured a massive deal for the company, and I was rewarding her. Do you have to go this far to hurt her?"

His words pierced me. While he stood there protecting her, did he even notice how my heart bled? I opened my mouth to respond, but the words died on my tongue.

Celeste, now nestled in his arms, trembled delicately. She reached out and tugged at my sleeve, her voice soft and pitiful.

"Mr. Chandler, please don’t yell at Fiona. She loves you so much and was only worried when she saw us together. I never wanted to ruin your relationship."

She turned to him, her voice quivering with understanding.

"Mr. Chandler, thank you for everything, but I think I should resign. I don’t want to cause any more trouble for you or Fiona."

Hearing this, Theo tightened his hold on her waist and glared at me with icy disdain.

"Fiona, are you satisfied now? You’re standing there like a statue—are you mute? Apologize to her! She just brought in an important deal, and now she’s leaving because of your jealousy. How do you expect me to face the company after this?"

I stared at Celeste’s provocative face, my gaze dropping to the faint strawberry mark on her exposed V-neck. It was like a slap to my sanity. My mind spiraled into chaos. The man who once claimed to love me deeply was now betraying me—right in front of my eyes.

My pride flared, stubborn and unyielding. Apologize to her? Never.

"You won’t apologize, will you? Then prepare to face my wrath," Theo said coldly, his tone devoid of the affection I had once known.

I assumed his punishment would be as simple as cutting off my credit cards. But no, his next move struck at the heart of everything I valued.

With a blank expression, he picked up the phone and dialed the finance department.

"Suspend the sponsorship for the Westhaven Project. I’ll inform you of the next steps later," he said curtly.

The words hit me like a hammer. The geological survey project I had poured my soul into—gone, just like that. My chest felt tight, my breath shaky.

Swallowing my pride, I forced myself to suppress my anger. I took a deep breath, smoothed the edges of my expression, and stepped forward. Extending a hand to Celeste, I curved my lips into a strained smile and spoke the most insincere words of my life.

"I'm sorry. I misunderstood the relationship between you and Mr. Chandler. I hope you won’t take it to heart and will continue working hard to bring more success to the company."

Celeste didn’t even glance at my outstretched hand. Instead, she ignored me completely, as though I didn’t exist. She turned to Theo, her fingers lightly tugging at his sleeve as she leaned into him, her voice soft and coquettish.

"Mr. Chandler, it’s fine. I’m not upset. But my heart… my heart feels hurt. You can’t just brush me off with a few words and call it settled."

Theo’s expression softened into something I hadn’t seen in years. With an indulgent smile, he reached out and pinched her cheek, his tone laced with affection.

"You little troublemaker. You only know how to tease me, don’t you? But when someone else bullies you, all you do is hide in my arms."

Celeste blushed and shyly hit his chest with her fist, her voice tinged with feigned innocence.

"With President Theo here, who would dare to bully me?"