Chapter 1: Seven Years

When Adrian came back, I had just hung up the phone with the lawyer.

He looked exhausted, still wearing his suit.

He reeked of alcohol, making one feel nauseated.

He looked disdainfully at the overturned dining table, the chaotic living room.

"Was there an earthquake at home? Can't you tidy up a bit while you're here?"

"I find you're getting lazier. Don't tell me it's for work again. Aren't you just an assistant manager? Are you really that busy?"

"Did you invite your girlfriends over for a party again? I've told you, stop messing around with them! You never listen!"

He glanced at the dining table again with a face full of dissatisfaction,

"How many of you were there! So much food and wine spilled everywhere! Do you think wine is free? If you're not going to drink it, don't waste it!"

I stared intently at him as he raged drunkenly.

Then he noticed the belt in the trash and picked it up.

"Whose is this? It's new. Who's it for? Did you buy it for another man? If you're going to throw it away, toss it far so I don't see it!"

He actually twisted the situation to blame me.

"I bought it for you, realized you didn't need it, so I tossed it."

I quietly stared at the belt around his waist, and he sobered up a bit.

Awkwardly touching the belt, it was a gift from his ex-flame.

"Oh, don't get the wrong idea. Today I was just helping Emma with something, and this belt was something she gave me to match my suit, you know mine's too old."

"Yes, too old. Seven years old, time to get a new one."

Could Adrian not tell what I meant?

A bit guilty and ashamed.

He hurriedly explained the wedding event.

"There's nothing between Emma and me, it's just a ceremony to fulfill her wish, you know, she gets upset easily, and the doctor says she doesn't have much longer. Are you really jealous of someone on the brink of death?"

Yes, not much longer.

They say it's late-stage cancer, claiming she'll die any day, yet it's been almost two years and still alive.

Whenever Adrian isn't around, her condition worsens, and when he arrives, it improves.

Every time I visit her, she's all dolled up, looking vibrant without any sign of illness.

Anyone with eyes can see she's faking it; Adrian pretends not to see it.

Or maybe he pretends not to see it.

"If she's ill, she should see a doctor. Are you a miracle doctor? Do you perform magic? Will a wedding cure her?"

Adrian didn't know how to refute it, looking around uncomfortably.

"You're so petty! I've said it's fake, lots of friends were there. Everyone knows it's a joke. Why can't you let it go?"

"No wonder Emma said not to tell you. Ha, she even said not to upset you, to take care of your feelings!"

"See how considerate she is!"

"You got your assistant manager position because she gave it to you, don't you feel grateful? Don't you have a conscience?"

At work, I excel in every aspect, my bosses give me extra bonuses and raises every year, while his so-called true love can do nothing but flirt with men.

Now they claim she gave me the assistant manager position?

I couldn't believe these words came from my husband of seven years!

"Adrian! These years of marriage, I've repeatedly asked for us to have a proper wedding, and you always have some excuse. Yet today, on our seventh anniversary, you're marrying another woman? Are you still treating me as your wife?"

"I said it's just a ceremony! It's fake, no marriage certificate, what's your hurry? I've always told you, I don't care about these formalities! Isn't it enough that I come home every night?"

"Let me tell you, Emma's condition worsened tonight, so I wanted to stay with her, but she insisted I come back! To spend the anniversary with you! And here you are going crazy as soon as I get home! She even bought you a gift!"

So, it seems my husband's hers to give away?

I looked at Adrian, tears in disbelief, as he threw the gift in anger and slammed the door to his room.

As for the gift, I knew exactly what it meant.

It was Emma's provocation, her declaration of victory to me.

The note falling from the gift read "Happy 7th Anniversary to Adrian and Miss White."

Meaning Adrian knew today was our anniversary, and so did Emma.

If he had forgotten today, at least I'd have an excuse to console myself, thinking he was too busy.

But now it seems he truly doesn't care about me at all.

I entered the room in despair, and he was already sound asleep.

After lashing out at me, he always finds peace of mind and sleeps soundly.

Not long after, my phone rang, a video sent by Adrian's ex-flame.

"What does seven years mean? As long as I wish, she'll do anything for me. Including the wedding you've begged for seven years and never got!"

In the video, Adrian was thoughtfully lowering his head, gently helping her put on a ring, then passionately kissing her, as the guests cheered in celebration.

This is the real Emma. She always secretly sends videos to me with her other account.

I don't bother showing Adrian the video, don't bother exposing Emma.

Silently, I save each video.

Soon, she added, "It won't be long before you get to see our hotel room video. By then, Miss White, enjoy the show."

Every time I saw these videos before, I'd be heartbroken to the point of suffocating, but this time, I started to feel a twisted joy. These are strong pieces of evidence for a divorce settlement.