After 40 Years of Marriage, I Found Out That I Was a Stand-In

After the silent treatment, I slept in a separate room from Ayden.

My room was next to his drawing room, and the old house had poor soundproofing.

One night, I was awakened from a deep sleep by the sound of a brush moving across paper.

I got up, put on my clothes, and through the crack in the door, saw Ayden working at his desk, writing something furiously.

When I opened the door, his white hair shone brightly in the light.

Seeing me, he paused and said, "Sorry to disturb your sleep," smiling as he raised his hand.

He then held up a painting, revealing a youthful and beautiful woman with long hair and a gentle smile.

It was an image of my younger self that he had captured.

He sought my forgiveness with this painting.

"Camille, I'm sorry for hiding things from you."

There was a gleam in his eyes. "Give me another chance; I will treat you and this family well."

I hesitated before replying, "Ayden, let's separate."

He suddenly looked up at me, and the light in his eyes dimming.

*****

Ayden and I met in college.

That year, we were 20 years old, in the prime of our lives, and full of vigor and vitality.

He majored in fine arts and I majored in music.

Initially, we seemed incompatible, but a chance encounter sparked a romance.

He was heartbroken after a breakup and he wanted to hide somewhere where no one was around to vent.

Unfortunately, the place he chose was my piano practice room.

I seemed to be a beacon of light in his life, illuminating his helpless heart.

As we got to know each other, I learned about his ex-girlfriend, Lydia.

After graduation, we became a couple and went on a trip to T City, where we had a car accident.

At the critical moment, Ayden shielded me with his body, preventing serious injury.

And that moment became his lifelong get-out-of-jail-free card as long as it was not a matter of principle.

We soon married and built a happy family.

I never doubted his sincerity, but sincerity could change.

I once thought we would live happily ever after, but by age 60, our fate had crumbled.

The next morning, I took all the family documents and went to the court.

We exchanged silence as we drove, the atmosphere heavy.

The waiting area of the court was filled with a cold atmosphere.

My phone buzzed with messages.

Jeffrey's insults were nothing more than words of disdain for me, such as being shameless and betraying the family.

Zoey sent me a long and heartfelt message, trying to keep me.

I ignored them, having made my decision after our last meal.

Looking at the divorce certificate, I knew that signing it would end everything.

Ayden asked, "Do we have to sign? Can we not separate?"

I closed my eyes and sighed, "Sign it."

After nearly 40 years together, our separation took only ten minutes.

I walked out of the court alone, a weight lifted from my heart, feeling relieved.

I inhaled the fresh air and watched the bustling street, finally reclaiming my life.