At my wife's birthday party, everyone presented lavish gifts.

When I revealed the sentimental necklace, the whole room erupted in laughter.

“Ha! Am I seeing this right? Is that a necklace made out of grass?”

“Luke, even if you're broke, buying a cheap crystal necklace from a street vendor would be better than this!”

Holding the gift, I wanted to explain that it was the very necklace she had given me when we were young, and I had kept it all these years.

But my wife slapped me across the face, ripped the gift to shreds, and told me to leave.

——

“Get out!”

Naomi Collins, my wife, yelled, her anger palpable as she slapped me hard and pointed to the door. “Get out!”

I stared at the torn pieces of the grass necklace, feeling my heart shatter.

“Don’t you remember? Thirteen years ago, under the old banyan tree in Peace Village?”

I knelt and carefully gathered the fragments, holding them close.

Thirteen years ago, after my father died, I had cried beneath that banyan tree. Naomi had made me that necklace to comfort me.

Her family moved away soon after, and I thought I’d never see her again.

But three years ago, by a stroke of luck, our paths crossed once more.

Even after all this time, I recognized her immediately.

I pursued her with everything I had, fulfilling every request she made. Except for the stars in the sky, I did whatever it took to make her happy.

I gave her my heart, too. I was a humble suitor.

It turned out that things that came too easily are often taken for granted.

After three years, Naomi had never really looked at me.

Even after we married, she seldom let me share her bed.

When she did, it was only when she needed something.

I felt like a dog, summoned and dismissed at her whim.

But I had no complaints.

That grass necklace had rescued me from a dark place.

Now, it was in pieces.

Naomi’s childhood friend Hector Larson chuckled derisively. “A pathetic grass necklace. If you couldn’t afford it, admit it. Naomi wouldn’t hold it against you. No need for all these excuses.”

“Naomi, this is a special piece I imported from abroad. It is named Crystal Romance and was created by a renowned master.”

He then produced a lavish gift box and opened it to reveal a breathtaking diamond necklace.

“Wow! It’s stunning!”

“That necklace must be worth a fortune!”

The room erupted in awe as Hector’s smug smile grew. He glanced at me with a touch of scorn. “It’s not that expensive. It’s just over half a million dollars.”

“Half a million dollars isn’t expensive?!”

“No wonder you’re considered the most impressive man in our circle!”

Naomi’s face showed a flicker of interest.

Hector, ever the gentleman, approached her with a warm expression. “Naomi, let me help you with that.”

Naomi didn’t even look my way. She lowered her head, blushing slightly. “Is that alright?”

“Absolutely!” Hector said with a charming smile. “My Naomi is so beautiful. You’re the perfect match for Crystal Romance.”

He positioned himself behind Naomi, his arms encircling her neck as if embracing her. Naomi leaned into Hector, her face radiant with contentment and affection.

The glances directed at me were filled with scorn, derision, and contempt.

My Naomi.

I managed a bitter smile, collected the pieces of the grass necklace, and quietly walked away.

My departing figure must have looked like a stray dog, abandoned and forlorn.

Hector’s voice called out with a false note of concern. “Luke, where are you going? It was just a joke. Don’t take it personally.”

Naomi sneered, “Let him go! He’s a nobody!”

She lovingly touched the pendant around her neck.

Hector followed me, feigning worry.

“Luke, wait a minute!”

He grabbed my arm, his face showing faux remorse, but his voice was laced with venom. “Luke, you’re just a stray dog who got lucky Naomi ended up with you.”

“But don’t worry. Now that I’m back, I’ll be taking Naomi from you soon.”

“She was always meant to be mine!”

He whispered so only I could hear, then raised his voice. “Luke, I’ve known Naomi for over twenty years. Surely you can take a joke.”

“We used to sleep together. If all men were as petty as you, Naomi would have no freedom at all.”

“Why don’t you let off some steam? Yell at me or hit me if it helps.”

Hearing Hector’s taunts, Naomi snapped. She marched over in her high heels, pulled Hector behind her, and slapped me hard across the face.

The loud smack silenced the room, and everyone turned to watch with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

Naomi’s face was flushed with fury. “Luke! Have I really given you too much leeway?”

“You embarrassed me with a worthless grass necklace in front of my friends.”

“And now Hector offers such a generous gift, and you dare to hit him?”

“Let me be clear. You’re not even in his league!”

“If you touch him today, it’s over between us!”

Hector’s gaze was filled with both challenge and contempt. I looked back at him with cold eyes, seemingly indifferent to the pain on my face.

“There’s no need to fight over it. If you want it, take it!”

Turning to Naomi, I said with icy calm before she could say anything more, “Let’s get a divorce.”

“What did you say?!”

Naomi’s eyes widened in disbelief, and the shock was evident on everyone’s faces.

Everyone knew how fortunate I was to be with Naomi.

She was the daughter of the Collins Group, while I was just an ordinary man.

I lost my father young and had only my mother to rely on.

My job and income were nothing special; besides my unyielding devotion to Naomi, I had nothing that set me apart.

Naomi, however, was a young, brilliant CEO, beautiful, talented, and wealthy.

To everyone, she was a shining star, and I was just dust.

Now, with Hector, who had clearly achieved great success abroad, I felt even more like an out-of-place fool.

“I’m saying we should get a divorce.”

“Today.”

Naomi’s anger flared. She shouted, “Luke!! This isn’t a joke!”

She raised her hand to slap me once more.

This was the third time, but this time, I stopped her.

I grabbed her wrist before she could strike, holding it firmly in the air. With a self-deprecating smile, I said, “I’m not worthy of you. I never was.”

“Today is your birthday. We’ll sort everything out tomorrow. I’ll draft the divorce papers.”

“I’ll leave with nothing.”

I released her hand and took a step back.

She seemed stunned, either by my firm resolve or by the stark contrast to my previous weakness.

She lost her balance and stumbled slightly.

Hector was quick to react, catching her and pulling her into his arms.

“Naomi, are you okay?” he asked, his face filled with concern.

Naomi shook her head, steadied herself, and pointed a trembling finger at me.

“So, Luke, you’ve finally grown a backbone and dare to speak to me like this?”

“What did I ever do to you that makes you want a divorce?”

I looked at the two of them, wrapped in each other's arms without a hint of discretion, and let out a bitter laugh.

The love I had once begged for felt as worthless as dust.

Better to let it go.

Taking a deep breath, I looked at Naomi and spoke my final truth.

“You once brought light into my life.”

“I spent three years trying to burn myself out to brighten yours.”

“But you’ve cast me aside like a worn-out shoe. I… did my best.”