Midway through our time at the planetarium, Stefan's phone chimed with a notification.

He glanced at the screen briefly before slipping it back into his pocket.

What he did not realize was that Lyra had already forwarded the same photo to me.

It was a provocative image featuring her in black stockings, red-soled high heels and a smug caption.

[Do you think he would rather watch stars with you or explore new positions under the starry sky with me?]

I raised my head to look at Stefan.

The faint smile playing at the corners of his lips told me all I needed to know.

Sure enough, just the next second, he raised his head.

"I'm sorry, honey. Something urgent has come up at the company and I need to handle it immediately. The guide will accompany you for the rest of the visit. I promise I'll be back in two hours."

Stefan leaned in, attempting to plant a kiss on my forehead, but I subtly moved away. "Work is important."

As Stefan hurriedly left, I politely declined the guide's offer to guide me around and decided to wander the exhibits on my own.

The planetarium was filled with intricate models of stars, detailed photographs and displays about the cosmos.

My steps eventually led me to the grand hall, where a star with a unique name caught my eye.

[Steflyra]

Beside the star was a high-definition photo.

It was a pair of hands intertwined in an intimate clasp.

The larger hand, with its well-defined joints, wore a wedding ring identical to mine.

The caption next to the display read, [Extraordinary and Eternal].

And I found it particularly ironic.

My heart suddenly shrank, a sharp pang nearly bringing me to my knees.

Before the sorrow could fully settle, Lyra eagerly shared the video.

A Rolls-Royce with a starry sky roof paired with dazzling red-soled heels.

Lyra was lying in the passenger seat, lost in a moment of bliss with her lover.

My trembling hand clung to the phone, tears falling down my face.

I bought this car as a birthday gift for Stefan.

Stefan adored the car and spent a lot of money customizing the starry sky roof with our initials.

He said then, "The stars will forever witness our love."

Now, the stars were silent witnesses to his betrayal.

Soon after, Lyra sent another message, brimming with pride.

[He said it feels more exciting here. It feels like we're doing it right in front of you.]

[I suggested we try it at your place next time while you're asleep. Guess what? He agreed! Hahaha, just pretend you didn't see anything when you sleep in the near future.]

My trembling fingers fumbled to block Lyra's number, but I could not quite manage it.

In the end, I leaned against the wall, numbly replaying the video again and again.

After countless replays, Stefan finally returned to my side.

He was startled to see tears streaming down my face.

"Why are you crying? Who dared to hurt you? I'll take care of them!"

Stefan stood guard and his towering figure reminded me of his younger self.

At that time, he fearlessly confronted a gang of ten bullies, risking his life to protect me.

His leg was broken, but my skin did not even get scratched.

Yet, the young man who once risked his life to shield me had now inflicted the deepest wound.

My voice was choked with sobs as I struggled to form words as I spoke slowly.

"It's nothing. I really love this gift you've given me."

"Well, in return, I've prepared a surprise for you. You'll receive it in a few days." Stefan finally exhaled, a sense of relief washing over him.

He gently wiped away the tears that streamed down my face.

"No matter how silly your wishes may be, as long as it brings you joy, I'll grant you whatever you wish."

"You adore the stars so much, so I'll have a planetarium built just for you."

"When our child is born, we'll sit beneath the starry sky, sharing our love story as beautiful and enduring as the stars above."

Indeed, the light of stars could traverse billions of light-years.

Unfortunately, our love could not withstand the passage of time.

Stefan's eyes were filled with dreams of the future.

That was why he did not notice the cold look in my eyes as I read the message from my mentor.

"Congratulations, Elena Lynch. You are accepted into the Northwest Research Group. We will be departing tomorrow at noon. Please read the details carefully. Once you sign the confidentiality agreement, your current identity will be erased, making you untraceable for three years like you never existed."

I signed the agreement without hesitation.

Not just for three years.

For the next ten or twenty years and more, I would completely vanish from Stefan's life.

In this life, until I ran out of time, I would never come back.

If Stefan had the audacity to choose to leave me so he could be with Lyra Keene.

I could also choose to leave him and go to the vast grasslands.

My mentor urged me to pack my belongings as soon as possible.

However, as I looked around this villa filled with memories, I did not feel like taking anything with me.

I woke up early, gave the maid a day off and spent two hours cooking breakfast myself.

When Stefan woke up, he rushed over and took the spatula from my hand.

"Where's the maid? Why are you cooking?"

"Gave her a day off. It's your birthday, so I want to spend it with you alone."

Stefan was surprised at first upon hearing my answer and then his eyes immediately turned red.

"Ever since you got pregnant, you felt sick just from the smell of cooking. Even if there was no maid to cook for us, I should be the one doing it."

"Honey, please just rest and sit on the sofa. Let me handle everything today. My biggest wish for my birthday is for my wife to be happy every day."

If it were not for those messages from Lyra Keene...

At this moment, I would have felt like the happiest woman in the world.

Sigh, what a pity...

I sighed silently and handed Stefan his phone.

"You have a message."

Stefan was a bit nervous, but when he saw my confused expression, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"My wife is the best. You never check my phone and value my privacy."

He thought I was the best for being too trusting, too stupid.

Last night, after he fell asleep, I read every message on his phone.

He clearly put Lyra first, trusting my trust in him.

Also, his purchase history was full of different kinds of underwear and adult toys.

They did it in hotels, offices and cars.

On my birthday, on our wedding anniversary.

Lyra's messages always made Stefan keep his word to be with her.

What shocked me the most was a message Stefan sent to Lyra on the day I found out I was pregnant.

"Stop taking your medicine and get pregnant as soon as possible. I have a plan to make Elena accept your child so the two children can grow up together."

"You satisfy me the most. As long as you don't cause trouble in front of Elena, I'll give you everything you want."

Stefan indeed loved children so much.

But it was not just the baby in my belly that he loved.

I did not dare to think about the pain I felt last night.

I pretended to remain calm, but my hands just could not stop shaking.

I was worried he would notice something was wrong with me, but his attention was completely on his phone.

"Today is the day your pregnancy checkup results will be out. The hospital reminded me to take you there early. I'll go first, okay? You can rest at home and wait for me."

"Will you come back?"

Stefan smiled and gently patted my head.

"Of course I will. What are you talking about? Today is an important day. I want to spend it with the person I love the most."

"When you come back, don't forget to open your birthday gifts."

I pointed to the beautifully wrapped gift box on the coffee table.

Soon after Stefan left the house, I received a message from Lyra.

[You know what? I'm pregnant and your biggest advantage is gone.]

[I'm the one who will win in the end.]

I replied with one smiley emoji and placed my phone next to the gift box.

I imagined Stefan spending an unforgettable birthday with Lyra.

And me?

I glanced at the clock and walked out without looking back, getting into a mysterious car with no license plate.

As the car drove past the hospital, I saw Stefan's Rolls-Royce.

He seemed to sense something, so he rolled down the car window and looked in my direction.

At that moment, my mentor asked me if I wanted to say goodbye one last time.

Without hesitation, I shook my head.

From now on, the stars would remain the same.

However, Elena Lynch would no longer exist in this world.