Chapter 1

During the Fourth of July weekend, my husband pushed me off the subway platform for the sake of his sister-in-law.

While I was in the ambulance, I saw the photo his sister-in-law, Isla, had just posted on Instagram.

The picture showed a man's hand wearing a wedding ring, gently wiping a milk stain off her chest.

The caption read: "No breast pump is as effective as a real person. My brother-in-law is my hero, always here whenever I call."

That night, I accidentally opened a package he bought for her.

It was a postpartum recovery kit designed to tighten and increase sensitivity.

In the past, I would have rushed over to slap him.

Now, I have completely let go.

1

When Bennett came back, I was packing my bags.

Today was the first day of the holiday, and he had promised to take me on a trip.

But one phone call from Isla changed everything.

He pushed me aside to get to her, causing me to tumble off the platform.

My arms were scraped, and both my wrist and ankle were badly sprained.

If it hadn't been for a kind stranger who pulled me up, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

He left in the morning and didn't return until it was dark.

"Why are you still packing? It's been all day," he asked.

He kicked aside my four suitcases that were lined up against the wall.

Then he sprawled on the sofa, smiling as he replied to messages.

In the past, I would have been so happy to see him return that I would have hugged him immediately.

I used to apologize for every little thing, walking on eggshells just to avoid his annoyance.

Now, I ignored him and continued folding my clothes.

Seeing that I didn't speak, Bennett let out a frustrated huff.

"It's just one trip, okay? I'll make it up to you next time."

His promises had become worthless after he abandoned me time and again for Isla.

I gave a casual hum in response.

Sensing that my mood was off, he finally put down his phone and walked over to hug me.

"Alright, I'll help you pack in a bit. Let's do something more important first."

His hands began to wander over my body.

This was the first time he had initiated physical intimacy since Isla got pregnant and gave birth.

Whenever I tried to be close to him before, he either finished quickly or left because Isla called.

In the past, a single spark from him would have made me cave.

But now, the thought of his hands and mouth on Isla earlier that day made me want to gag.

I stepped back abruptly and pushed him away.

Disgusted, I grabbed a wet wipe to clean my hands.

"Why are you back so soon? What if Isla gets another clogged duct?" I asked coldly.

My reaction enraged him, and he started shouting.

"Elara, what is your problem! We asked for your opinion back then, and you agreed to let Isla stay here with my late brother's child!"

"Besides, if you hadn't been unable to conceive for three years, would my mother have had to beg her on her knees?"

I couldn't have children?

Two years ago, I was five months pregnant when Bennett accidentally offended the wrong people and was kidnapped by a gang.

I was the one who brought the ransom to save him.

I used my own body to shield him from a lethal blow.

The fully formed baby in my womb lost its heartbeat that day.

My internal organs were severely damaged, making it nearly impossible for me to conceive again.

Back then, he cried by my hospital bed until he fainted, swearing to love me forever and never abandon me.

In just two years, that vow had rusted away.

He frowned and said irritably, "Fine, I know back then you..."

He stopped mid-sentence when he realized I hadn't said a word.

He looked at me in shock.

"Why aren't you bringing up what happened two years ago?"

In the past, every time he mentioned children, the pain would resurface, and I would scream or hit him to vent.

Now, I just let out a cold, weary laugh.

He knew exactly what kind of pain I had endured, yet he chose to use it as a weapon.

Noticing my strange behavior, he tried to reach for me again, but Isla's special ringtone went off.

He scrambled to the sofa to answer it, his face filled with genuine anxiety.

When he hung up, his eyes were shifty.

"Honey, Isla isn't feeling well and needs someone. I only care because my brother passed away. I really love you, you're the only one."

"I was too worked up just now. When the baby is older, I'll definitely make it up to you."

He turned to run out the door.

I grabbed his arm and handed him a gift box.

"Take this to her. It belongs to her anyway."

Bennett was stunned. He opened his mouth to explain, but seeing my blank expression, he finally spoke.

"You've never had a child, so you don't understand. These are normal recovery products. Isla is a hero to our family; we should be the ones preparing this for her."

I nodded slowly. "It's fine. Even if you help her use it yourself, just like you helped her with her milk today, I don't care."

"What?"

I looked him straight in the eyes, my voice calm.

"I said, Bennett, let's get a divorce."