Michael rushed to my side.While holding a water cup in one hand and gently patting my back with the other he said,"Drink some water,Honey.Do you feel better?"

I saw his wedding ring back on his ring finger.I slowly straightened up,noticing the dishes on the table and a large cake.He smiled before saying,"Did you forget?Today's our third wedding anniversary."

I had forgotten.

The first year,I prepared flowers and cake,but he didn't come home for two days.When he returned,the flowers had wilted.The second year,I cooked a feast,but he disappeared.He returned drunk the next day,apologizing profusely,promising to make up for it.That's when I discovered the faint lip print on his shirt.

Clichéd soap opera plot,but it was my reality.

I tried to be a good wife and daughter-in-law for two years.After that,he thought I didn't know,but I pretended not to.I considered leaving but couldn't bear to.

I had loved Michael since high school.He was the popular,handsome,and intelligent star.I was shy and introverted,always pushed to the sidelines.I studied hard only to get closer to him.I finally managed to score alongside him in our senior year's last mock exam.

We attended the same university,same major.It was an unthinkable luck to me.In college,I became his errand runner.I worked hard for years,earning his confession and proposal.

How could I leave?

When I discovered our marriage's third wheel,I vowed to endure.I waited until I got pregnant,and he returned home.

It was just a temporary happiness.I wanted to ask him,'why pretend when your heart isn't mine?Why give me fleeting happiness only to snatch it away?'

I suppressed my tears.Michael helped me sit,and we ate together.All of them were my favorite dishes.While he was feeding me with smile,I asked,"Why so happy?"

He chuckled,"Client's message."

I nodded before asking,"Do you have to be so happy about work?"

His smile faltered as he said in an indifferent voice,"Emily,don't be like my mom."

I smiled bitterly and said no more words.

'This is the last time.'I vowed to myself.

Today's soup was delicious,with a hint of sweetness.Michael never cooked before.Even when I was sick,he wouldn't lift a finger.If I couldn't get out of bed,he'd say,"Let's just order takeout."

Now,he expertly prepared three dishes and a soup,romantically celebrating our anniversary.Clearly,another woman taught him.I often stumbled upon Mia Knight's posts.Each dish came with captions related to Michael.

"Men need training,just like my crush!"

"Who says cooking's hard?My idol learned quickly."

My life,good or bad,revolved around another woman.Whatever Michael did for me were taught by another woman.

Rediculous

After dinner,Michael rushed out before saying,"Emily,there is an urgent work matter.I have to go by leaving the dishes to you."

After he left,I checked Mia's profile.It had become a habit over the past year.She posted a fireworks photo,"Watching fireworks with crush."

No Michael in sight.

I scrolled through her photos while tears rolling down my cheeks.I closed her account and uninstalled the app.

No more self-deception.

I packed my clothes and essentials,quietly leaving the home and the place where I once hoped for love.I checked into a hotel,then went to the hospital the next day.Michael didn't contact me all night.Obviously,he didn't go home.I imagined him and Mia watching fireworks,holding hands,kissing.

At the hospital,the doctor handed me medication."Miss Emily,are you sure you want to give up this child?"

"I am."I said before taking the medicine.Only I know how hard it was to conceive.I remembered telling Michael I was pregnant.He was overjoyed.He promised to love and protect me.

They were all empty promises.

I waited for sometime as the procedure was agonizing.Soon,I was wheeled into the operating room.Since I was allergic to anesthesia,I had to endured the pain.I trembled,sweating,my nails digging into my flesh.

Afterward,I was weak,vomiting.No one accompanied me.I retrieved my medication alone.When I was leaving the hospital room,I overheared a couple.

"Babe,What do I do?I'm scared."

"Don't worry,baby,I'm here."

"It's your fault.You were too rough last night."

Their love,a stark contrast to my pain.Mia snuggled into Michael's arms,playfully pouting."I want to punish you…but what should it be?"

Michael smiled while saying,"Whatever you decide."

Mia replied,"I'll punish you to three days without going home.You have to accompany me to the resort."

Michael hesitated before asking in a concerned voice,"Are you okay?You're still recovering."

Mia laughed childishly before saying,"What's the problem?You just be gentler next time."

They looked like a loving couple,just like a newlyweds.

My phone buzzed.It was Michael's message:"Emergency at work.I'll be away for three days.Take care,Emily"

Two"love"emojis followed.I stared at the screen,my vision blurring.

Want to cry?I had cried too much for Michael.

Going back in my hospital room,I handed my medication to the nurse.During the nurse's absence,I approached Mia.We locked eyes.She sneered,"Oh,it's you,old classmate."

I said,"Mia,you know Michael is married,don't you?"

Mia's expression changed.She said in an arrogant voice,"Even if he's your husband,he wants to be with me."

"You're sick!You know he doesn't love you,still clinging to him and having his child.You have no shame.I'll be his wife.He'll divorce you!"She added.

I pursed my lips before saying in a cold voice,"As long as we're married,you're the third party."

Mia's anger flared.She said,"Only the unloved one is the third party.You're clueless,Emily.He loves me and he will soon marry me."

Mia''s outburst revealed her desperation.Michael never truly loved me.He only pursued me after thinking Mia had a boyfriend.I was just a substitute.I thought that with time,he'd learn to love me but I was wrong.

Mia's rage subsided,leaving her panting.I stepped closer as I whispered,"What if Michael knows the truth about ten years ago?"

"In ten years,he thought you saved him,didn't he?If he finds out now that the person who saved him was not you, guess what he will do?"