"Felix is in excruciating pain. What's wrong with buying him a gift to cheer him up? You’re losing control of your temper more and more! You can't even do me a simple favor!" Luna snapped. "Will a video of Felix in torment be enough to shake you out of your moral slumber?"

Every time it was the same emotional blackmail. Every time, I had to sacrifice for Felix's happiness. I never wanted to step into Felix's hospital room again. Watching Luna gently tell stories to Felix or feed him made the doctors, nurses, and other patients assume they were married. I stood there, the perpetual outsider. Felix never thanked me, and Luna, always ordering me around, was no different. If I didn't comply, Luna would get upset, making me feel like I was just their hired help. Did I owe them something? Ridiculous!

“For five years, have you ever had a shred of love for me? Am I nothing more than a workhorse to you, just here to be used??” I burst out. “Is Felix my close friend? My father? Why should I take care of him? I'm living worse than a dog!”

Even though I've been reborn, the anger still burns when I talk about this. Luna fell silent. I continued, "I'm letting go, giving you freedom and giving myself freedom. Stop torturing me. Come back when you have time, and we'll sign the divorce papers and finalize everything."

With that, I hung up, not wanting to waste more words on Luna, and drove to my parents' house. In my past lifes, I lost too much revolving around Luna, even my life. This time, I want to make it up to my family and myself. My parents were delighted to see me.

"Oh, Evan, aren't you busy with work? How come you have time to visit us today?"

"I'll make some dishes," my mom said.

Hearing that, my nose stung, and seeing their table with only pickles and steamed buns brought me to tears.

"What's wrong?" Mom asked, her voice filled with panic. She hugged me tightly, just like she did when I was a child, gently patting my back. Dad, seeing my distress, turned and went into the bedroom. He returned with a bank card in hand. "The PIN is your birthday. Use it to cover any expenses. If it's not enough, I'll find a way to get more."

“Mom and Dad, I’m fine. I just haven’t seen you in a long time.” I quickly shook my head, sensing their worry.

After everything I’d been through, I suddenly realized that the only ones who had truly taken care of me since childhood were my parents. They cared for me the most and were the least willing to burden me. They would rather eat pickles, endure the pain of illness, and save every penny just to leave me some emergency money. They never asked for anything in return. I owed them so much.

At noon, both of my parents cooked a meal for me. It was delicious. As I ate, my phone buzzed with a message from Luna asking where I was and why I wasn’t at home. I didn’t respond. Then she sent another message, telling me she had bought me a gift. I still didn't reply.

By evening, the doorbell rang incessantly. When I opened the door, I found Luna standing there with some supplements and milk.

“Oh, Luna!” my parents exclaimed. “Please, come in. Sit down. I’ll wash some fruit for you and get some vegetables.”

They treated Luna like their own daughter, almost doting on her.

“Mom and Dad, there’s no need to fuss. Evan and I have things to discuss,” Luna said, trying to downplay the situation.

Luna smiled sweetly and took my arm, her affection on full display in front of my parents. But in reality, she hardly paid attention to me; she was always more concerned about Felix. Whether I was sad or happy, alive or dead, it seemed to make no difference to her.

“If you have something to do, go ahead. We’ll be just fine like this,” Mom said with a smile, while Dad nodded in agreement. They were so understanding, always ensuring they didn’t get in the way of my matters.

In contrast, Luna failed to show that consideration. Felix was even more hypocritical, posting daily on social media about his strong battle against his illness while putting the burden on others. Luna had to take care of him secretly every day.

But when it came to bossing me around, she expected me to comply without question. People like Felix seemed to completely captivate her, making her infatuated and devoted. Perhaps this was the power of first love.

When we went downstairs, it was quiet between Luna and me. Finally, she pulled out a gift box and handed it to me. “Evan, it seems like there are some issues between us that need to be addressed.”

“Isn’t the problem always there?” I replied, my tone sharp.

“Isn’t it just me taking care of Felix? He’s a patient, and I—” Luna's voice trailed off mid-sentence.

“You feel sorry for him?” I interrupted.

I smiled, “So, we don’t need to communicate anymore. Divorce is the best choice.”

“Y-you!” Luna clenched her fists and bit her lip in frustration.

Her expression was one I had never seen before. I wasn’t sure if it was because I had pierced through her façade or if she was simply angry. Probably the former.

After all these years, my jealousy and dissatisfaction had been like punches in water, causing no ripples. She had always been so cold.

“I used to believe that if I treated you well, you would reciprocate, and I could win your heart over. But I was wrong. You and Felix were always in sync, while I was left alone in a one-sided devotion, infatuated while ignoring my own needs. Tonight, I will draft the divorce agreement, and tomorrow morning at nine, I will file for divorce.” I spoke with a firm resolution.

Luna stared at me blankly, her silence stretching on for what felt like an eternity. Finally, she said, “I’m sorry. It’s been five years, I haven’t allowed us to cross that line. Just need a while...”

It felt like she was grasping for an excuse. But before she could finish, Felix’s name flashed on her phone screen.

As usual, she answered in a split second.

“Luna, I’m not feeling well. I miss you. Can you come to the hospital and read me a story?” Felix whined, his voice dripping with feigned vulnerability. “I can’t sleep without your stories.”

The pathetic sound made my stomach churn.

“What are you pretending for?” I shot back. “Maybe you don’t even have lung cancer! Even if you do, why do you need someone else’s wife to take care of you? Are you an orphan?”

I couldn’t help but unleash the words I had been holding back. I had swallowed my anger in my previous life, but now it finally poured out, and I felt a rush of relief.

Felix seemed taken aback by my outburst, falling silent for a moment.

“I’ll be right over,” Luna hurriedly replied before hanging up. She looked at me, urgency in her eyes. “Let’s not make a scene right now. We’ll talk when I get home.”

“If that’s what you want, I’ll give you a reason to talk tonight,” she finished her words and left hurriedly.