Chapter 1

The National Day holiday coincided with my fifth wedding anniversary with my wife Saylor.

We had planned to spend the vacation together in Santorini, but on the morning of our departure, Saylor hurriedly packed her luggage and told me, "The company needs me for an urgent business trip."

I believed her, until late that night when I saw a post from Ryan, Saylor's first love, on Instagram.

In the photo, they were intimately close together, fingers intertwined, with matching couple bracelets shining brightly.

I smiled bitterly. She had gone to Santorini after all, just not with the person she had promised.

I didn't call to confront her. I calmly liked the post.

A minute later, Saylor called me in a panic: "It's just a misunderstanding, we ran into each other on the business trip. I'll make it up to you next year's holiday, I promise."

I sneered, "It's fine. Have a good time."

Saylor asked in surprise, "Why aren't you jealous this time?"

...

When Saylor returned a week later, I didn't rush to greet her at the door as I used to, taking her luggage and helping her change shoes.

Saylor leaned against the doorway, frowning as she looked at me.

"Yannick, where are my slippers?"

In the past, I would always have her slippers neatly arranged to welcome her home, but not this time.

Seeing me sitting motionless on the couch, watching TV, I said:

"In the shoe cabinet. Find them yourself."

Saylor's frown deepened when she heard my words, but after a moment's hesitation, she relaxed her expression.

She took out her slippers from the shoe cabinet and put them on. Walking up to me, she looked at the empty dining table and pouted, "I'm a bit hungry. Can you make me some dumplings?"

In the past, whenever she said she was hungry, I would get up to cook for her even at 3 AM.

But today I just coldly replied, "I'm busy. Order takeout yourself."

Saylor sighed with a flash of annoyance on her face, then immediately snuggled up to me and softened her tone, "Honey, I know you're upset about my sudden business trip. I apologize. It won't happen again. I brought you a special gift, can you forgive me this once?"

I still stared straight ahead, my tone even.

"You're overthinking it. I'm not upset."

Saylor paused for a moment, frowning slightly.

She took out a simply wrapped gift from her suitcase. After unwrapping it, it was a tie.

Saylor looked at me expectantly and said, "Do you like it? I picked it out especially for you."

I remembered Ryan's Instagram post from three days ago: A mall opening promotion, spend $1000 and get a free tie.

That blue-green striped tie was now being presented to me by Saylor as a carefully selected gift.

I didn't show any dissatisfaction on my face, accepting the gift and saying flatly, "Thanks. You're thoughtful."

Seeing that I had nothing else to say, Saylor was a bit taken aback. "That's all you have to say?"

I just gave a noncommittal "Mm" and asked, "What else do you want to hear?"

Saylor frowned slightly and explained while holding my arm.

"Are you still upset? I already explained that day, Ryan and I really just ran into each other at the airport and had a meal together during the business trip."

I just nodded, "I know. I'm not upset."

My reaction seemed to surprise her. She looked at me in disbelief: "Why aren't you jealous this time?"

"No reason. I've come to terms with it."

I stood up, grabbing my coat to leave.

Saylor stepped forward to block my way and demanded: "Where are you going? Where's my anniversary gift?"

A month ago, I had bought a blue sapphire bracelet at an auction, and Saylor had seen the news.

To her surprise, I took out my phone and transferred her $3000, saying: "I forgot to prepare anything. I've sent you some money, buy whatever you like."

Saylor fell silent.

In our five years of marriage, I had always carefully prepared gifts for her on every holiday, without fail.

She was stunned for a few seconds, then angrily grabbed my hand and asked, "What about the bracelet?!"

I laughed coldly, pointing at her hand.

"What bracelet? Aren't you wearing the couple bracelet with Ryan?"

Saylor immediately became very uncomfortable.

"This... it's just a friendship gift from him, don't overthink it. I'll take it off right now."

Having lived together for five years, I was familiar with her micro-expressions. From the way she clutched the hem of her shirt, I could see her panic.

Since I had already given up, I really didn't want to say more to her.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, turning away with an exhausted look.