Chapter 1

The day before my birthday, I saw a receipt for concert tickets on my wife Faye's phone. It was for my favorite singer.

I thought she was planning a surprise for me. I stayed up all night, waiting for her to come home.

Around dawn, a local post popped up on my social media feed.

"A surprise from my favorite older woman! I will make sure to thank you properly tonight!"

The video started with him and Faye sharing a passionate kiss on the venue's kiss cam.

Then it cut to a slideshow of them in bed together at a hotel.

I did not call or text to confront her. I just quietly started packing my bags.

After five years of revolving my entire life around Faye, I was truly exhausted.

1.

When Faye walked through the door with a lingering look of satisfaction, I was just putting on my shoes.

She glanced at my suitcase, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Where do you think you're going? I was only gone for one night. Is that really a reason to run away from home?"

I caught a glimpse of the red marks she could not completely hide on her neck and let out a faint laugh.

"The company scheduled a last-minute business trip for a few days."

Faye grabbed my arm, her tone dripping with disdain.

"You can't even lie properly. Stop being dramatic. I haven't had breakfast yet, so go make me something to eat."

I looked at her and suddenly asked where she had been last night.

Faye froze for a second as she walked toward the living room, but her voice quickly went back to normal.

"I was at the office pulling an all-nighter to finish a project proposal."

I stared at her blankly, my voice completely cold.

"Ryan posted on his story last night that your whole department went out for drinks. Were you the only one working overtime?"

Faye instantly blew up in anger.

"Luke! What is that supposed to mean? Do you need me to say I cheated on you just to make you happy?"

"We've been married for so many years. Can't you give me a little trust and personal space?"

Her outburst was entirely within my expectations.

Faye had been like this since we were kids. Whenever she felt guilty about something, she would get angry and raise her voice to cover it up.

Looking at this hysterical woman in front of me, I suddenly realized how pointless this marriage had become.

Just as I was about to ask for a divorce, my phone rang.

"Luke, why aren't you down yet? We're going to miss our boarding time!"

I told my coworker I was on my way and hung up.

Hearing that, an awkward expression flashed across Faye's face.

"You're actually going on a business trip?"

I gave her a casual nod.

She hesitated, trying to explain herself. "I didn't mean to snap at you just now..."

I checked the time and cut her off.

"It doesn't matter anymore. I'm leaving."

"Luke, what do you mean it doesn't matter? I'm trying to..."

The rest of her words were cut off as I pulled the front door shut behind me.

I drifted in and out of sleep the entire flight, trapped in a blur of vivid dreams.

The day before my twenty-seventh birthday.

When I saw the ticket purchase record on Faye's phone, my heart was racing with excitement.

The artist holding the concert was someone I had loved since my teenage years.

I had wanted to see him live for such a long time.

At first, I couldn't afford it. Later on, I could never get my hands on the tickets before they sold out.

I genuinely believed Faye was preparing a birthday surprise for me. I requested time off in advance, went home, changed into nice clothes, and waited by the phone.

Yet I waited the entire night without receiving a single call or text from her.

I called and texted her multiple times, but there was no response.

My heart felt heavy and unsettled, hanging by a thread.

I sat on the living room sofa, watching the minutes tick away, feeling a bitter ache in my chest.

I stayed awake until the early morning hours.

When I opened my social feed, a local recommendation caught my eye.

The profile picture belonged to a guy in his early twenties, and his handle was "With Faye".

The video thumbnail was a photo of him and Faye kissing passionately.

My hands trembled as I tapped on the video.

The clip started with the kiss cam at the concert arena.

Then it transitioned into a series of intimate photos of them lying in a hotel bed.

My phone slipped from my fingers and hit the floor.

It took me a long time to finally pick it back up.

I walked into the bedroom and began packing my suitcase for my morning flight.

"Luke, we just landed."

My coworker's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I gathered my composure and grabbed my luggage to leave the airport.

After checking into the hotel, my favorite singer posted a farewell message online, announcing that the tour was officially over and that he was retiring from the music industry.

Staring at that post, my eyes stung with tears.

My coworker asked why my eyes were red.

I locked my screen and said I was just saying goodbye to my youth.

Whether it was my childhood idol or Faye, it was all over.