Chapter 1

On our seventh anniversary, a headline went viral across social media.

"The nation's latest discovered asteroid was officially named Jasmine this morning."

Right beneath the news, my husband, Beckett, posted the top trending update.

"Named after you, so a star bears your essence. You will never be alone in this universe."

His junior colleague commented below: "Thank you for making our private romance public, Beckett! I am so happy!"

I did not frantically call him to demand an explanation like I used to.

After seven exhausting years with him, I was truly drained.

1.

When Beckett returned home, I was smoking on the balcony.

He had always hated the smell of tobacco and would frown whenever he caught a whiff.

After we got together, I forced myself to quit, even suffering through severe withdrawal symptoms.

Seeing me smoke now, Beckett froze for a moment, but he did not scold me.

He casually handed me a gift box, his voice flat.

"Happy seventh anniversary."

"Sorry, I had to work late unexpectedly and forgot to tell you."

"It is fine."

I took one last drag, took the box, and opened it. Inside was a star-shaped diamond necklace.

Closing the box, I said, "I love it. Thank you."

Beckett paused, his prepared excuses dying in his throat.

He looked at me in shock, clearly expecting me to interrogate him and demand answers.

I had also thought that after seeing that viral post, I would scream, fight with him, and make a huge scene.

Today was our seventh anniversary. I had reserved the rooftop restaurant where he proposed and arranged fireworks to surprise him.

I left work early to wait outside his observatory.

I never saw him, but I did see the breaking news alert.

"Asteroid 960306 has officially been named the Jasmine Star this morning."

"This is the first major celestial body discovered by astronomer Beckett Hayes, carrying immense personal significance."

Underneath the trending news, Beckett was the top poster.

"Named after you, so a star bears your essence. You will never be alone in this universe."

Attached was a cozy selfie of him and Jasmine at a fancy steakhouse, her cheeks pressed against his.

Jasmine was holding up the official celestial naming certificate.

The top comment was from Jasmine: "Thank you for making our private romance public, Beckett! I am so happy!"

I had tossed my phone onto the passenger seat and driven straight to our dinner reservation.

Sitting alone beneath the brilliant fireworks, I ate both steaks by myself as a final tribute to our seven-year marriage.

As I went to light my second cigarette, Beckett snatched the lighter from my hand.

Frowning deeply, he said, "Did not you quit smoking?"

"Just felt a sudden craving," I replied, putting the pack away to head to the bedroom.

He grabbed my wrist, his gaze troubled. "Today is our wedding anniversary."

I looked at him blankly. "And?"

His scowl deepened.

"Even if you did not get me a gift, are you really going to bed this early?"

He leaned in, trying to wrap his arms around me and kiss my lips.

Beckett always possessed this contradictory mix of cold detachment and gentle tenderness.

In the past, if he had taken the initiative like this, I would have completely surrendered to his embrace.

At this moment, however, all my senses were overwhelmed by the lingering perfume clinging to his collar.

It was jasmine.

The exact signature scent Jasmine always wore.

I took a step back, dodging his kiss.

"You worked hard today. Get some rest."