Chapter 1

1 I'd begged my husband, Alex Qin, for six months to take me to this concert.

I waited at the airport until they announced the final boarding call, but Alex was nowhere to be seen.

I called him countless times; no answer. Then I saw a post from Sarah Shen on my social media feed.

The caption read, "Thanks to someone who stayed up two nights in a row and still came to watch the esports tournament with me!"

The picture showed her and Alex embracing and giving the peace sign at the esports arena.

Without hesitation, I turned off my phone and went to check in for my flight.

This was my favorite artist's last concert before retirement.

The perfect send-off for my dying relationship.

......

I turned my phone back on after my flight landed back in the States.

Five days. Not a single call from Alex.

Stepping out of the airport, I was hit by a torrential downpour.

I waited ages, but couldn't hail a ride.

Then, Alex's number popped up on my screen.

His voice was cold.

"Where are you? Come pick Sarah and me up at the airport."

I didn't say anything.

Before, I would have angrily demanded to know where he and Sarah had been, but now, I just didn't care.

Alex was getting annoyed. "Summer Yuan, are you mute?"

"I'm at the airport entrance."

Predictably, Alex asked why I was there.

"Just got back from the concert."

He fell silent for a few seconds, seemingly remembering his promise to take me.

Before I left, I saw Alex's work schedule on the hospital's internal group chat, and my heart skipped a beat.

I just hadn't expected his hard-won time off would be spent watching esports with Sarah.

"Where are you? We're coming to get you."

I gave him my location and hung up.

Before Alex arrived, a rideshare finally accepted my request. Another car pulled up at the same time.

Alex beat me to it, pulling Sarah's hand and shoving her into the car.

"Sarah's tired. I'll drop her off, then come back for you."

Before the car pulled away, Sarah rolled down the window, her tone dripping with smugness.

"Thanks for the ride, Summer."

I watched them go, my heart heavy.

Alex frowned:

"Don't be silly, just close the window, you'll catch a cold."

Though his words were sharp, his actions towards Sarah were gentle.

The car could have held three, but Alex and Sarah's world didn't have room for me.

I stood there, soaked, luggage at my feet, alone at the airport entrance.

When the rain stopped, Alex didn't contact me. Instead, I saw his social media post.

"Taking my little girl to a game, fulfilling her wish, and having a little fun in the States."

Attached were pictures from their five-day trip.

My finger lingered on the last one �C Sarah and Alex in matching pajamas I'd bought them.

Pajamas I'd begged him to wear, let alone take pictures in.

Seven years of marriage, and he'd never once posted about me on social media.

Now, he's posting nine pictures of Sarah.

Seven years of longing, and someone else got it effortlessly.

Seven years, and I couldn't melt the ice around his heart.

Now, someone else has.

I put my phone away and smiled, a wave of release washing over me.

I checked into a nearby hotel.

Going home now would only be pointless.