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

When a couple divorced, their shared property was typically split in half.

Ayden, feeling guilty, offered me more property, but I firmly rejected his good intentions.

Since I chose to separate, no one owed anyone anything.

Each of us must follow our path.

I moved to a villa in the suburbs, the place I once planned to share with Ayden in our old age.

Now, it was mine alone.

The villa was spacious, but living alone could be lonely.

Fortunately, there were many stray cats and dogs in the suburbs, and I've adopted several stray cats and dogs to keep me company.

I used to hesitate to buy new clothes, but now I purchase whatever I like, regardless of the cost.

After wasting half my life, I was determined to enjoy the latter part.

I shared my daily life on social media, where Ayden often commented on my posts, praising my new clothes and my pets cute.

Sometimes, he would send me private messages to ask how I was doing and express his concern by asking me how the weather was getting cold and asking me to keep warm.

Belated affection was cheaper than anything.

I forgot it as soon as I read it, let alone reply to his messages.

*****

One day, a luxury car unexpectedly parked in front of my villa.

Lydia stepped out, adorned in expensive jewelry that caught the sunlight.