ManyWriters

Thirty days into the silent treatment with my husband, he proposed a trip to mend our relationship. As soon as we landed, he snapped my ID card in half, smashed my phone, and abandoned me on a deserted island to fend for myself.
When someone asked if he was being too harsh, he was accompanying his childhood sweetheart to her prenatal checkup, sneering contemptuously:
"It's her own fault for being so petty. I was just using IVF to fulfill Faye's wish of becoming a mother, and she threw a fit demanding a divorce."
"The baby will be born in eight months. There's fresh water and food on that island, so she won't starve to death. I'm just teaching her a lesson."
Eight months later, holding his newborn son contentedly, my husband unusually asked his assistant:
"It's been so long, hasn't she made a fuss about coming back to the States yet?"
He didn't know that I had died on the very first day I arrived on that lonely island.

My Husband Banished Me to a Deserted Island

Faye immediately put on an act, crying and trembling as she threw herself into Caelan's arms:


"I'm so sorry, Caelan! The puppy bit me, and my heart suddenly hurt. I accidentally kicked out, it's all my fault for being careless! Will the puppy be okay?"


Caelan pressed his lips together, struggling to tear his gaze away from Buddy.


"As long as you're alright. How are you feeling now? Where did he bite you?"


"Pets are full of germs, they're so dirty. I've been wanting to have him sent away for a while now, and you've actually done me a big favor."


With that, he pushed Faye away and instructed the butler to take Buddy to the hospital.


Faye, however, wasn't quite satisfied. She bit her lip, fingers twisting her chiffon dress forcefully.


But she quickly adjusted her expression and tugged on Caelan's sleeve:


"I'm glad the puppy's okay. If Lavender finds out, she'll probably skin me alive. I could never make it up to her, even if I died!"


You'd think I had bullied her before or something.


Caelan was a sucker for this act. His eyes showed sympathy as he gently comforted her:


"If she dares to do that, I'll make her wish she were dead." Faye paused, then tentatively asked:


"Caelan, my parents want to see more of Sweetpea. Will you come home with me tomorrow to meet the old folks?"


"Of course. The child will be raised by your parents in the future anyway."


Faye's smug expression froze, a flash of jealousy and resentment in her eyes.


She reached out to grab Caelan's hand, whining:


"Caelan, why are you becoming more and more distant from me? We—"


But Caelan pulled away, seeming distracted.


"The guest room is ready. You should get some sleep. Sweetpea's been fussy these past few days, and you haven't been resting well."


That night, Caelan couldn't sleep a wink.


He kept checking his phone, opening our chat history.


Seeing my messages still frozen from eight months ago, when he invited me on an overseas trip and I replied "Okay," he grew restless.


I worried about Buddy's health, but my soul couldn't stray far from Caelan. I could only stare blankly at Buddy's dog food and toys.


My heart skipped a beat as he crouched down and opened one of Buddy's favorite canned dog foods. Then I opened my chat window.


"Lavender, I've taken care of everything. You can come back now. Buddy really misses you."


Caelan rarely softened his stance, but this time I didn't reply immediately.


I couldn't bring myself to respond to his message anymore.


Just then, the butler returned, opening the door.


Caelan noticed his empty hands and asked:


"Six ribs were broken, puncturing the heart. He didn't make it to the hospital... Sir, shall we arrange for cremation?"


When we first named the puppy, Caelan had gently tapped my nose:


"Of course we'll call him Buddy! We're his mom and dad, the closest people in his little world. We'll protect him forever, Buddy!"


Buddy, Buddy, but not a buddy for life.


Caelan stood frozen, his fingertips trembling slightly.


After a long moment, he finally found his voice:


"Mr. Channing, please find me an identical dog. When Lavender comes home in a few days and doesn't see Buddy, she's sure to make a fuss again."


With his deep pockets, he could easily find a similar puppy.


Yet our feelings for each other can't be replaced by anything else.


Chapter 3