Chapter 1

My wife, Sienna, had always been cold and distant toward me.

But at her 100th photography exhibition, she displayed artistic photos of herself embracing another man.

The two of them were naked, their bodies intimately intertwined within the frame, showing no shame at all.

There was even a matching tattoo on the inside of the man's thigh, identical to the one on her lower belly.

In front of all the guests, Sienna spoke with poise.

"This is my first attempt at bold, avant-garde art. I want to give a special thanks to Sterling for making such a huge sacrifice for my show."

"I hope we have many more chances to collaborate in the future."

Watching them stand there with their fingers interlocked, I didn't scream or make a scene like I usually would.

I simply pulled out my phone and quietly canceled the reservation at the restaurant I had booked for our anniversary.

After being neglected for four years, I was done fighting for her.

1

Soon, I received a text confirming the cancellation.

I took one last look at the stage.

Sienna was still holding Sterling's hand, laughing and chatting with the guests.

She claimed to have severe mysophobia and couldn't stand any physical contact with others.

That included her own husband.

Kissing and hugging―things that were normal for any couple―were always out of reach for me.

But now, for a man she had known for less than three months, she had shattered her own boundaries.

The core piece of this 100th exhibition was supposed to be something else.

It was supposed to be a close-up photo of Sienna and me holding hands.

It took us years, from dating to marriage, for her to finally agree to take off her gloves and touch me.

I had been so full of anticipation when the staff pulled back the dust cover.

But what appeared before the crowd was a highly provocative photo.

Sienna and Sterling were completely bare, their bodies pressed tightly against each other.

They only used their limbs to barely cover their private parts.

Their entire bodies were draped in a sheet of nearly transparent plastic film.

The image was intense and breathtaking, yet undeniably beautiful.

Amidst the shock, I noticed the prominent tattoo on Sterling's inner thigh.

It was the exact same design as the one on Sienna's belly.

During her introduction, she lied and said this avant-garde photo was just a challenge she took on as an artist.

She claimed it was a way for someone with OCD to heal themselves.

Sienna even shed a few tears during her speech.

She thanked Sterling for his guidance and help over the past few months, saying he helped her open her heart.

She said she was no longer trapped by fear and anxiety.

I couldn't accept such a ridiculous and insulting reason.

To take care of Sienna, I had given up a high-paying job.

I became a full-time house husband just to suit her needs.

I washed the sheets, curtains, and clothes every single day.

Even the silverware we used for eating had to be labeled so they wouldn't get mixed up.

After catering to her every whim for over four years, I was truly exhausted.