Chapter 1

The day before Valentine's Day, I found a booking for a romantic hotel on my wife Celeste's phone.

I was overjoyed, thinking she had planned a surprise for me.

But on the day itself, Celeste claimed she had a business trip and didn't return home that night.

It wasn't until the hotel confirmation was accidentally sent to my phone that I called her with trembling hands.

When the call connected, it was Celeste's cherished first love, Finn, who appeared shirtless, looking at me disdainfully.

"She's still in the shower. Why don't you call back later?" he said.

I drove frantically to the hotel, and in the midst of our argument, Celeste didn't hesitate to throw a vase at me.

Before I completely lost consciousness, Finn stomped on my head in anger.

"I'm not done yet, you loser! You ruined everything!"

At that moment, my heart broke, and five years of feelings turned to dust.

When Celeste called, I was carefully preparing a homemade meal.

But when she said she had to work late and couldn't come home, my actions froze, and my mood plummeted.

"I'm sorry, honey. I'll make it up to you with a gift. Please don't be mad, okay?"

"The company is paying double overtime today, plus other bonuses. I really don't want to miss out."

After a moment, I sighed and replied, "But you promised you'd be back this morning. I made all your favorite dishes, and you..."

Before I could finish, Celeste interrupted.

"I said I'm sorry. What more do you want? Nolan, can you give me some space? Stop being so annoying."

Fireworks and cheers sounded from afar, lively and cheerful.

But I only felt heartbroken. I quietly said "okay" and ended the call.

All these dishes were Celeste's favorites, and it took me three hours to make them.

I tried everything to win her over, but now it seems it was all for nothing.

A sour feeling spread through my heart as I sat alone, eating.

Ten minutes later, my phone rang again.

Thinking it was Celeste, I opened it, only to find a hotel check-in confirmation.

My heart sank. I had indeed seen that romantic hotel booking on Celeste's phone a few days ago.

At that time, I thought it was a surprise she had planned and didn't mention it.

But now...

I frowned and shakily called Celeste via video.

After ringing several times, it finally connected.

But it was Finn's face, Celeste's first love, that appeared on the screen.

He was shirtless, looking at me impatiently.

"Celeste is still in the shower. Call back later."

Behind him was the hotel's big bed, with their clothes thrown together messily.

I couldn't believe it and questioned him,

"Why are you two together? Don't you know she's married? Do you have any morals?"

Finn smirked coldly at my words.

"Morals? Are you serious, Nolan? Can't even keep your woman, and now you're blaming me?"

"Besides, what can a guy like you, living off her, compare with me?"

He hung up right after.

Sitting in the chair, tears streamed uncontrollably down my face.