Chapter 1

On our third wedding anniversary, my wife, Bianca, finally agreed to take wedding photos with me.

I put on my tailored suit and waited in the photography studio with high hopes, but Bianca was nowhere to be found.

I called her countless times, but no one answered.

Then, I saw a new post from her childhood friend, Silas.

"Special thanks to a certain busy lady for making time to shoot portraits with me."

The attached picture showed him and Bianca pressed closely together under dim, sultry lighting.

I held my left leg with its prosthetic attachment, let out a self-mocking laugh, and left a like along with a comment.

"She is so wonderful. It would be such a pity if you two did not get married."

......

The moment my comment was posted, Bianca called back.

"Flynn, can you be a real man for once and stop being so petty?"

"Silas is helping our agency promote our upcoming couple sets. He did this out of pure goodwill, and all you do is drag me down!"

"What will people think of me and Silas after reading your comment? Delete it right now!"

Her voice on the other end of the line was icy cold.

I replied in a flat tone.

"I was just speaking from the heart. Nothing more."

She paused.

Clearly, she did not expect this kind of reaction from me.

In the past, I would have yelled and demanded to know why she stood me up for our wedding photos. Now, I did not have the slightest desire to argue with her.

The answer was painfully obvious.

In her heart, Silas mattered far more than I did.

I gently rubbed my knee. To stand beside Bianca today and leave behind a beautiful memory, I had forced myself into an unfamiliar prosthetic.

After waiting all day, the pain in my stump made cold sweat pour down my back.

"Is there anything else?" I asked, my voice strained with endurance.

Bianca fell silent for a moment, her tone softening slightly.

"Flynn, I know you were looking forward to our wedding shoot, but we can take wedding photos anytime."

"This couple shoot is my job. It is important. Cannot you be a little more understanding?"

Her gentle plea did nothing to ease the tightness in my chest.

I could not help but ask, "Aren't we real lovers?"

"Yes, we are..."

"Yet you never once considered shooting with me."

Her irritation flared up instantly.

"Do you really have zero self-awareness about your condition?"

The air froze between us.

I gave a bitter smile. That was what she truly thought of me all along.