[Just now, a colleague took my phone for a dare. Someone's birthday tonight, so we'll hang out a bit after dinner. Honey, don't forget to take your meds and go to bed early, okay?]

This was the longest message she had sent me lately.

But I wasn't mistaken. The woman in the photo was her, and the man was the doctor from earlier today.

I had seen how she loved Jayden.

I just didn't want to admit it. I thought she would eventually fall in love with me.

But my tolerance only made her push further.

She was probably with some guy right now. I thought of that doctor from earlier today.

My stomach cramped up again. Ever since we got married, I'd been working day and night, and it gave me a stomach ulcer.

I gave her all my salary and still found ways to surprise her with gifts.

But I wanted to give her one last chance.

[Luna, my stomach's acting up again. Can you come home and be with me?]

I bought a pack of cigarettes and smoked one after another.

She had once told me she hated the smell of smoke, so I quit for five years.

But even by 2 a.m., she still hadn't replied.

And the phone's GPS had been showing her location at a hotel five kilometers away.

Staring at the cold food on the table, I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh in the dark.

Back then, I was just a high school dropout with nothing but money and a house.

Jayden may have studied medicine, but her parents thought he was too poor and broke up their engagement.

She cried and begged me to go with her to abort his child.

That's when I started taking care of her in every way, indulging all her whims.

On countless nights, she'd mistakenly call me Jayden, but I ignored it, only holding onto her harder.

The day she agreed to marry me, I cried like a child.

Looking back at the past five years, she never once said she loved me.

I, Charles Lewis, have always been a firm believer in fairness.

When it came to Luna, I threw away all my principles. In the end, I was just her ATM.

"Since you won't give me what I deserve, I'll return it myself!

Playing the faithful wife at home but going wild when you see another man. You like thrills, huh?"

The next day, I installed cameras in the living room.

When she came home, she had dark circles under her eyes but somehow looked refreshed from the inside out.

After setting up the cameras, I pointed to the bag in the living room.

"For you, happy birthday!"

She had an awkward, apologetic smile, but the moment she saw the cameras, she frowned.

"Why did you install cameras?"

I packed my suitcase without even looking at her.

"Last night, after I went to the hospital, we had a break-in. It's for security."

"I think you're using security as an excuse. You just want to spy on me. Charles Lewis, you're such a freak!"

She tossed the bag aside and sat on the couch, pouting like a child.

I smirked. She took the bait.

"Then take them down. I've got a flight tonight for a business trip. I'll be back in a week."

I'd heard her strange excuses too many times before.

She used to say I wasn't attentive enough, so I changed.

But now, I told her I went to the hospital, and she's still accusing me of something!

She was surprised when I didn't try to comfort her.

I didn't want to play her games anymore, so I shut the door on her angry shouts.

I checked into the hotel across the street and immediately pulled out my phone to check.

As expected, she called that guy right away and put him on speaker. Her face showed a shyness I had never seen before.

"Baby, you know what? Charles is getting more and more disgusting. Do you know how hard it's been for me to stay faithful to you?"

"Ha! That fool thinks he's so devoted. His only talent is making money, but he can't even satisfy his wife. What kind of man is that?"

"Baby, why don't you come over tonight? He's away on a business trip for a week."

That voice was unforgettable. It was Jayden Stewart.

"What? Last night wasn't enough? The front desk said someone complained about the noise coming from our room."

Hearing this, she laughed flirtatiously and began unbuttoning her pants.

"But I miss you."

Suddenly, she looked at the camera, and the screen went black, losing signal.

I watched it all unfold, expressionless.

She couldn't seriously think she'd have a blissful week, could she?

But that camera was just for show.

The real ones were hidden in the living room speaker and by the bedside.

I switched the camera angle. She was bold enough to keep talking while her hand wandered down in the living room.

I hadn't touched her in nearly six months. Every time I had the urge, I dealt with it myself.

The goddess I'd protected for years was saving herself for someone else!

So, it turns out she wasn't without desire, just that it wasn't for me.

Watching her flushed face and her slipping neckline, I took a few screenshots of her full face for safekeeping.

The bold words on the other end of the line continued.

But the more I watched, the more she felt like a stranger. Was this really the woman I used to know?

"Do you think that poor fool would still see you as his innocent goddess if he saw you like this?"

I listened to their flirtatious banter.

In that moment, I realized how cheap she was. All her past vulnerability and sweetness had just been an act for me.

How many times had scenes like this played out behind my back?

My stomach ached again.

I got up and went to the pharmacy. She used to buy all my stomach medicine.

If not for this, I would've thought it was one of the few things she did to show she cared about me.

I bought two boxes of the same medication, but the shape and color of the pills were completely different from before.

The pharmacist said the medicine had never been reformulated.

A chill ran through me.

No wonder my stomach problems had been getting worse, and I'd been having lower back pain lately.

"Luna, you're not just trampling on my pride. You're trying to kill me, aren't you?"

I immediately went to the hospital for a full check-up. The results were just as I expected.

A guy who doesn't drink and barely smokes, and I ended up with kidney failure.

The doctor said that for someone my age and health, I wouldn't have developed this condition unless I'd been on harmful medication for a long time.

I thought about the leftover stomach pills at home. They were my best evidence.

I forced down my anger and headed up to the third floor.

On the way, I used Luna's details to book an appointment under Jayden's name.

Looking at the info on my phone, I realized Jayden wasn't even in gynecology. He was in plastic surgery.

I hadn't looked closely last time, but even though his nose and face had changed a bit, I still recognized him.

"Mr. Stewart, I'm Luna's husband."

When he saw it was me, he visibly panicked.

"I... I know."

"How do you know that? Have we met before?"

At my question, he froze and immediately tried to cover it up.

"Ms. Collins comes for weekly appointments. She's mentioned you before."

"Is that so? Then, what's going on with my wife's condition? She's not getting better, and the family's been pushing us to have kids."

He straightened his face, trying to look professional.

"Even though you're her family, this is confidential information. I'm not at liberty to disclose it."

I suddenly laughed.

"Then can you explain why my wife, who claimed she had blood in her urine, is seeing a plastic surgeon?"

Two months ago, 200,000 dollars disappeared from my account.

When I asked her about it, she got defensive and said she'd invested it.

Now, looking at Jayden's face, I finally understood.

She used my hard-earned money to pay for this pretty boy's plastic surgery!

He kept looking around, unable to come up with an excuse.

I thought, "What a pair of liars. If you're going to lie, at least get your stories straight."

Suddenly, he stood up angrily.

"Mr. Lewis, if you're not here for treatment, please don't waste my time. There are many other patients waiting."

That self-righteous excuse was just like that woman's.

"Sorry, I'm just worried about my wife. You know, she's got a strong appetite. Wouldn't want to ruin her... happiness." With that, I left the office, leaving him seething in frustration.

That afternoon, I met up with a classmate for lunch. She's a divorce lawyer now.

It had been years, and she had changed a lot.

"Lily Wright, the chubby girl, has turned into a beautiful lawyer!"

She blushed and smiled, clearly surprised and amused that I had come to her for help.

"Don't tease me! You're the one who made me fat back then."

"You know I never cared about girls' figures. You were always complaining you were hungry, so I brought you snacks."

Other than Luna, I've always been a good judge of people. Lily and I were classmates for four years. She was my best friend, and I was hers.

After some small talk, I told her everything about Luna. She was so furious she slammed the table.

"You're still the same fiery woman you always were. Let's have a drink to that!"

After one drink, warmth spread through my chest, but I didn't want anyone's pity.

There was something in her eyes, an emotion I couldn't quite read.

"You should check the insurance policies in your name, right away."

"I already thought of that, which is why I came to you first."

"What's your plan? I won't charge you for this one."

I put my glass down and looked at her intently.

"I want to destroy those two. Ruin them. Make Luna beg me for mercy!"

We clinked glasses, sealing our alliance.

But I missed the tenderness in her eyes, something that had started four years ago.

After dinner, I immediately checked the insurance policies in my name.

I was shocked to find out Luna had taken out critical illness and accident insurance on me, totaling five million dollars.

The beneficiaries? She and Jayden.

Their scheme was practically slapping me in the face.

Good thing I found out in time. Otherwise, I'd be jumping out of my own coffin.

That night, my phone's cloud surveillance sent me an alert.

Sure enough, he went to my house, just as I expected.

And I started watching their little performance.

As soon as Jayden walked in, Luna threw herself at him.

Tonight, she was wearing lingerie I had never seen before, so skimpy it barely covered her backside.

Thinking back to her self-righteous claims that I had foolishly believed, it all seemed even more ridiculous now.

But Jayden pushed her away, sat down, and coldly lit a cigarette.

So, she could tolerate her lover smoking, just not me.

"Baby, what's wrong? Are you tired today?"

Luna was behind him, giving him a tender back massage.

"Your wonderful husband came to my clinic today. I hear you're trying for a baby. Why didn't I know about this?" Luna immediately panicked, clinging to his shoulders, speaking in a soft, pleading voice.

"Wasn't he supposed to be on a business trip? Why would he show up at your clinic?"

"Well, just pretend I'm talking nonsense!"

Jayden said that and started to leave.

Luna threw her arms around him, tears streaming down her face.

"Don't leave, I swear I'm not lying. Look at the messages he sent."

An hour earlier, I had already sent her my flight details and pictures of the airport, and she fully believed it.

Jayden's expression softened, and he started teasing her.

"So, have you been with him recently? I need to check! Or better yet, let your loser husband raise my kid!"

"Oh, stop it. You're so bad, but of course, you're in charge."

Luna pouted sweetly even over the screen. It was enough to make anyone's skin crawl.

"Not only did she cheat, but she wants me to raise their child!"

Jayden shoved her onto the couch, and their laughter filled the room.

Perfect timing. My mom's message popped up.

[Charles, I'm here.]