010

"What's wrong, husband?"

A sharp pain spread through my chest. My breath caught. I clutched at my heart, raising a hand to stop Yang Xue from coming closer.

"Don't come near me!" I snapped.

She flinched. Her face turned deathly pale.

"Didn't you say you were taking me somewhere?"

I realized something—being around Yang Xue was eating away at my sanity.

If I truly wanted to sever this connection, I had to be ruthless.

She took me to Mu Chen's wedding.

A few days ago, they had been so in love.

Now, he was marrying someone else.

Ridiculous.

I had no interest in why Mu Chen had moved on.

I just wanted my marriage to end.

The wedding hall was grand, the stage bright.

Mu Chen stood in the center, microphone in hand, scanning the crowd. Beside him, his bride glowed with happiness, her eyes full of dreams for the future.

Yang Xue tried to take my hand.

I shook her off.

She didn't get angry. Instead, she whispered, "Mu Chen is getting married. It's over. Let's live a good life from now on."

I stared at the stage, expressionless.

"I'm sorry, husband. We'll be okay."

Her head hung low, her voice tinged with sorrow.

Then, Mu Chen did something that made the entire hall erupt in fury.

"Ah Xue, I love you!"

Silence.

He knelt on one knee, gazing at Yang Xue with burning intensity.

"Ah Xue, I forgive you. The moment I was about to get married, I realized—you're the one I truly love."

"Ah Xue, if you say yes, I'll walk through life with you!"

"Ah Xue, I will never forget our promise!"

All eyes turned to them, seething with rage.

The bride's family looked ready to kill him.

The bride herself stood frozen in her white gown, eyes wide with disbelief.

Then, as Mu Chen knelt, she collapsed on the stage.

Mu Chen didn't even glance her way.

He only had eyes for Yang Xue.

He smirked at me, full of confidence.

That same arrogance.

For years, because of Yang Xue, he had always felt superior to me.

Every time I fought back, I lost.

I had even developed a psychological shadow because of it.

But now, I didn't care.

His provocation was childish. Laughable.

Instead, I was curious—how would Yang Xue respond?

She had always kept a room for him in our home.

Promised him that no matter what, he would always have a place there.

Even when my grandfather lay on his deathbed, begging to see her one last time—she chose to go to an amusement park with Mu Chen instead.

Any other woman, if she did all this, it would be called deep love.

A woman who could abandon her husband like that—faced with the man she truly cared about—surely, she wouldn't hesitate.

But she had brought me here to prove something.

I was really looking forward to seeing her choice.

Even with a hint of anticipation.

Angry voices erupted from the crowd.

Yang Xue panicked.

Her gaze darted between me and Mu Chen, utterly lost.

Mu Chen's confidence cracked. His expression darkened.

He glared at her, resentment in his eyes.

"Ah Xue, you owe me!"

His voice turned sharp.

He had thrown everything away—humiliated himself, destroyed a wedding.

He couldn't afford to lose now.

He would not allow Yang Xue to reject him.

Yang Xue trembled.

She had been clinging to me, afraid of losing me.

But then, she met Mu Chen's desperate eyes.

She turned to me.

"I'm sorry. I'll explain later!"

And then—she let go.

She chose him.

Mu Chen shot me a triumphant smile and ran off with her, hand in hand.

I watched their figures disappear into the sunlight.

A perfect match.

The crowd erupted again.

Some cursed Mu Chen for his betrayal.

Others scorned Yang Xue for destroying a marriage.

A few even pointed at me, demanding why I couldn't control my own wife.

The insults buzzed in my ears like flies.

I left.

As I walked away, I saw the abandoned bride behind the wheel of a roaring Mercedes, chasing after them.

I chuckled.

This was Yang Xue's answer?

Perfect.

I had planned to take her somewhere—to make her give up completely.

But there was no need anymore.

She had made the most honest choice herself.

I felt lighter than I had in years.

From now on, Yang Xue had no reason to ever bother me again.

She would sign the divorce papers without protest.

And I would leave for a new city.

Back at my studio, I packed my things immediately.

I moved out, staying in a hotel where she wouldn't find me.

All I had left to do was finish the final touches on Memories.

Once it was complete, I would be gone forever.

After two days of relentless work, the sculpture was finished.

I sat before it, exhausted.

Like a soul freed from hell.

And for the first time in a long time—I smiled.

I sent a picture to Mr. Su.

He called back almost instantly.

His client was beyond satisfied.

They wanted to exhibit it overseas.

It would be a huge step for my career.

When I hung up, I realized how drained I was.

Two days of no rest, no food.

My stomach was empty.

I decided to go downstairs and grab something to eat.

But the moment I opened the door—

There she was.

Soaking wet.

Yang Xue.

My mood soured instantly.

The rain poured outside, a chill seeping through the air. Consumed by my work, I had completely ignored the weather.

A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by a deafening thunderclap.

Yang Xue trembled violently, her face filled with fear. She wanted to step inside the room, craving an embrace.

I stood still at the doorway, watching her indifferently.

A surge of anger rose within me.

Hadn't she run off with Mu Chen in pursuit of true love?

Why was she here to bother me?

Every time it thundered, Yang Xue was terrified. She used to curl up in my arms, only falling asleep under my comfort.

I had hidden myself well. How had she managed to find me?

It was truly frustrating.

"Can I come in?" Yang Xue bit her lip, her eyes red, pleading with me.

I remained at the door, unmoving.

Her face grew more desolate, tears streaming down. "Husband, please listen to me. I had no choice at the time—I didn't want to hurt Mu Chen."

I remained expressionless. I had no interest in her explanations.

Nor did I want to see Yang Xue.

Calmly, I asked, "Where's Mu Chen? Shouldn't you be with him?"

Yang Xue shook her head desperately. "I didn't end up with him."

I laughed.

Stealing the groom at a wedding, running off together—wasn't it supposed to be a grand romance?

And now, they weren't together?

Was this a joke?

Did they think they could simply walk away from the pain they inflicted on the bride and her family?

"Oh."

That was my only response. I looked at Yang Xue and said coldly, "That's between you and Mu Chen. It has nothing to do with me. The only thing I care about now is when you'll sign the divorce papers, so we can finalize our separation."

Yang Xue's expression changed, her eyes filled with terror. She screamed, "I will never divorce you! Not in this lifetime! I was foolish before—I took your love for granted. But the moment Mu Chen confessed to me, I realized the person I truly love is you."

I felt nothing but disgust.

What right did she have to say she loved me?

She collapsed to her knees, clutching my leg, sobbing. "Husband, I was wrong—so wrong. At the time, I couldn't reject him. Mu Chen couldn't bear the disappointment."

"And you could?"

I shook my head, suddenly feeling pity for Mu Chen. The man who once looked down on me had fought so hard, only to end up in a ridiculous farce.

Now, I finally understood.

Yang Xue never truly loved Mu Chen.

And she never loved me either.

The only person she ever loved was herself.

"Enough." I pried Yang Xue off me, lifting her to her feet. Looking into her eyes, I spoke, my voice cold and firm, "Five years. I gave you everything. I let you trample my dignity and shatter my heart, and I never regretted it—because it was my choice."

"But you can't have it both ways. The way you are now—it disgusts me."

Yang Xue's eyes widened, all color draining from her face. Her body swayed as if she might collapse.

"If you ever cared about me, even a little, you wouldn't be here begging. If you have any decency left, just let me go."

"I can't even stand the sight of you."

Boom!

Another thunderclap shook the sky, but Yang Xue seemed oblivious. Her face was drenched—whether from rain or tears, I couldn't tell.

Her expression was full of grief and regret.

She looked just like I once did—pleading, desperate.

But what was her pain compared to mine?

Yang Xue would never understand what it felt like to give everything to someone, only to nearly die from an overdose of sleeping pills in the very home we shared.

She would never understand the torment of watching her reserve the master bedroom for her first love, calling it his "eternal home."

She would never know the agony I endured for years.

And she never would.

I didn't give her a chance to speak further. I snatched her phone and dialed Mu Chen.

Moments later, Mu Chen arrived and forcibly dragged her away.

Yang Xue fought and screamed, "Husband, I don't want a divorce! I won't!"

"She's not a substitute—not a substitute!" she wailed as she was pulled toward the elevator.

I watched the two of them with a blank expression. Thunder rumbled in the distance, but my only thought was where to move next—to ensure Yang Xue would never find me again.

She was relentless.

Fortunately, my work was complete. I could finally leave for another city and start fresh.

Even if she refused to divorce me, I could file a lawsuit.

Given everything she had done—emotional abuse, infidelity—I had more than enough grounds.

But before leaving, I had one last thing to do.

I needed to visit the cemetery.

To see the only woman I had ever truly loved.