Waves of bitterness surged in my heart.

It's laughable how happy I was back then, thinking he actually cared about my preferences.

I love spicy food too.

But it turns out he had me cooking for his mistress all along...

I don't know how long I stood there before my mind started working again. I slumped against the counter, feeling drained.

"Ethan, how could you treat me like this? How could you?

You promised my dad, right in front of him, that you'd take care of me. That's the only reason he trusted you with me, back when you had nothing.

The house, the car, all of it came from my family.

I didn't even ask for a single penny as a dowry.

And this is how you repay me?"

I come from a single-parent home. Ever since Dad passed, I've put all my energy into maintaining my family.

He was my only emotional support.

And now, things have turned out like this.

Dad must be pacing in heaven, so worried.

After crying until I was dry, I slowly got up from the floor. Ethan came home with takeout barbecue in hand.

He stood in the doorway, seeing me, and let out a sigh of relief.

"I should have told you I was going out, that was my bad.

"Here, I brought you something."

He put the barbecue down on the table.

I opened the container and looked at the skewers of chives inside, saying nothing.

"I'm allergic to chives.

I even went to the hospital for it once.

So, he doesn't even remember that now?"

My heart grew colder, and I couldn't help but tremble. When you're unloved, nothing about you gets attention.

It feels like I don't even matter.

I gathered myself and looked up.

All I wanted was an answer.

And now, I've got it.

Now, I had to say what needed to be said.

I calmly said, "Ethan, let's get a divorce."

Ethan's phone slipped from his hand, and his body shook.

"What now? Why suddenly bring up divorce?

"I even brought you both dinner.

"Chloe, what's your deal this time?"

Suddenly, his tone shifted, becoming arrogant.

"Chloe, how old are you? And you're still playing these games? Isn't this a bit childish?

"I said I knew I was wrong, and I brought food. Can we stop this now?"

I clenched my fingers and stated, "I'm allergic to chives, and Nathan can't eat greasy food.

"So, who did you bring this for?

"Who do you want to eat it?"

After laying out the skewers, I finally felt calm.

"You can eat these leftovers yourself."

Ethan's lighter paused mid-air, and his expression faltered. He said awkwardly, "Leftovers? Fine, don't eat them then!"

He quickly shifted the conversation. I wasn't surprised anymore.

Smoke rings rose, and Ethan's face grew hazy.

I love cats. That night, when I saw him squatting by the roadside playing with the stray cats, I couldn't help but be captivated.

He turned his head, the light making his hair look so soft.

I thought, I might have fallen in love with him at first sight.

Ethan's family situation wasn't great. His parents were always fighting. He was stuck in the misery of his upbringing, and I foolishly thought I could be his savior, that I could warm his heart.

I didn't realize that one-sided love is the most painful.

I pitied his circumstances and felt for everything he went through.

It seemed like he finally noticed me, and we naturally got together.

I even got him that legendary 4090 gaming setup.

Ethan had a real talent for gaming, but his parents' constant pressure forced him to stop at the regional level. It was one of his biggest regrets.

I remember him holding his computer, crying, and promising he'd treat me well in the future.

I always believed him.

He really was a good person.

Everyone around him spoke highly of him.

I knew about his ex-girlfriend. She dumped him because he was poor, but Ethan never said a bad word about her.

He just said they weren't a good fit.

Later, we did have our sweet days together.

He was so anxious when I gave birth. He pacing in circles, crying even more than I did, and he bought me those designer bags I liked.

He took care of almost everything for Nathan. He would feed, bath, everything.

And now...

Looking at this still-handsome and mature face, I couldn't help but feel a deep, unshakable pain.

How did we end up like this?

I took a deep breath, ready to speak.

Ethan's phone rang sharply.

After answering the call, he stubbed out his cigarette. He hurriedly threw on his coat, and was ready to leave.

As he opened the door, he suddenly remembered something and hesitated.

"Cancel tomorrow's picnic. Make sure to explain it properly to Nathan."

Once again, he broke the promise.

I nodded at him with a faint smile.

"Alright."

It didn't matter anymore.

The picnic had been postponed for half a year.

It didn't matter if we didn't go.

Watching Ethan leave without looking back, my heart finally sank, settling into a calm.

I stared at the face in the video and suddenly rushed to the bedroom to find our graduation photo.

I closed my eyes. Just as I thought.

Luna and his ex-girlfriend looked almost exactly alike.

I was so stupid.

I should have asked long ago. I should have seen how unusually he acted when it came to his ex-girlfriend.

The person he cared about all along was her.

Even though she treated him horribly; even though I treated him so well.

I was lost in the fantasy I had woven for myself, played like a fool by them both.

I woke Nathan and told him to pack his clothes.

Then, I started packing my own things.

The phone rang, and my heart tightened.

After answering, my mother-in-law, Ella Rogers' sharp voice spewed out, one harsh comment after another.

"Why didn't you come over to cook today?!

"You don't work and just live off my son! I knew from the beginning I shouldn't have let Ethan marry such a jinx like you. Anyone would be better than you!

"Come over here right now, do you hear me?"

Ella always treated me badly, thinking I kept him from finding someone better.

When we first got married, she gave me a hard time in countless ways.

She said that as a new wife, I should cook breakfast for my in-laws the next morning. My dad was furious, but I begged him not to stand up for me. I didn't want to embarrass Ethan.

I loved Ethan too much and couldn't bear to make things difficult for him.

So, I chose to endure it.

But his silence left me deeply wounded.

When I was being bullied, Ethan never once spoke up for me.

It wasn't until I had an allergic reaction to the chive and ended up in the hospital that he finally spoke, telling me not to hold it against his mom.

See, he didn't love me at all.

"You're lazy and useless! I have no idea what my son saw in you!" she kept ranting.

Hearing this, Nathan ran over.

"Don't talk about my mom like that!"

Ella choked for a second, then spat in disgust.

How vulgar.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn't hold them back anymore.

"I'm going to divorce your son soon, whether you live or die is no concern of mine.

"Are your hands broken? Can't you cook for yourself?"

Ella gasped, quickly recovering and resuming her rant.

"Well, Chloe, look at you! You've grown some guts, huh? Talking about divorce!

"Fine! Divorce him! I'd like to see how you'll survive after leaving my son!

"I'm going to tell Ethan right now. You've really got some nerve..."

I cut her off with a sharp "bang" as I hung up.

After packing everything, I found Ethan's contact in my phone.

I was ready to inform him.

Just then, I received another message.

[A Happy Life at University.]

The picture was of Ethan watching the stars with her, covering her eyes with his hands.

At the top of the comments was a long message from Ethan.

I watched as he professed his love for her, promising to take her to see the Northern Lights.

I couldn't take it any longer.