Chapter 1

On my birthday, I accidentally found the plane tickets my wife booked and the gift she had hidden away.

I thought she wanted to surprise me, but she left the country without saying a single word.

Bored, I scrolled through my feed and stumbled across an update from her first love.

It was a collage of nine photos of him kissing her and holding her hand, captioned:

“The one I let slip away at eighteen, I will never let go again.”

This time, I did not scream or call to demand answers.

After chasing her for so many years, I chose to let go.

01

When Madeline returned, I was sitting on the couch working on my laptop.

The dining table in the living room was completely bare.

In the past, I always worried about her health. No matter how late she got home, there was always a hot, delicious meal waiting for her.

I never used to cook, but I honed my culinary skills just for Madeline.

Now, she had someone else to care for her. There was no need for me to fawn over her anymore.

I suddenly felt utterly exhausted by all of this.

Madeline casually tossed an exquisitely packaged designer tie in front of me.

“This is a late birthday gift for you. I have been swamped lately.”

“It is just a birthday anyway. I will make it up to you later.”

She avoided my gaze as she spoke, a hint of guilt flickering across her face.

The tie looked nice, but the color and style did not suit me at all.

“It is fine. I understand.”

“Is there anything else? You must be tired from your trip. Go get some rest.”

I barely glanced at the gift before turning my attention back to my laptop screen.

Madeline froze for a second. The comforting words she prepared died on her tongue.

She stared at me in disbelief, as if shocked by how calm my reaction was.

After all, I did not hysterically confront her or start a massive fight like before.

I used to think that whenever Madeline had an affair or scandal, I could never remain calm.

The day before my birthday, I accidentally saw the flight tickets Madeline booked.

I also saw the custom-designed diamond ring hidden inside her dresser drawer.

Back then, my heart was filled with joy, believing it was all a birthday surprise for me.

The destination was France.

When we got married, we planned to spend our honeymoon in France, enjoying sweet moments in the lavender fields of Provence.

Unfortunately, due to our hectic careers, that honeymoon never happened.

On my birthday, I waited with bated breath for Madeline’s invitation.

I dressed up carefully and packed my bags in advance, eager to create unforgettable memories.

Yet I sat on the living room sofa for hours, and Madeline never sent a single message.

At first, I told myself she was just busy and would be home late.

Then anxiety crept in, and I began to panic, fearing something terrible happened to her.

I called and texted all our mutual friends, asking if anyone knew where she was.

Some claimed they had no idea, while others stammered before hanging up abruptly.

I drove around the city in a frantic search, checking every place Madeline might visit.

Sadly, my search yielded nothing.

I returned home and collapsed onto the couch, drained of all energy.

As I scrolled through my phone, hoping for any clue about her whereabouts, her first love Landon Hayes posted an update.

I tapped on it absentmindedly, only to feel as though lightning struck me.

It was a nine-photo grid of intimate moments between him and Madeline, complete with a caption.

“The one I let slip away at eighteen, I will never let go again.”

The location was tagged in France.

In the photos, he held hands and kissed Madeline in the lavender fields.

The familiar ring sparkling on Landon’s finger looked painfully piercing to my eyes.

My phone slipped from my limp fingers and hit the floor with a sharp clatter.

So, it was Landon who went to France with Madeline.

Their effortless romance made me look like an absolute clown, pacing frantically at home.

That night, I sat neatly dressed on the couch, wide awake until dawn.

Three days later, Madeline finally returned, exhausted and dusty, ready to make it up to me.