Fractured Trust, Reawakened Affection

I calculated the time and walked back into the house ten minutes later.

The woman was already gone and Ethan, fully dressed, greeted me with a smile like nothing had happened, "Hello, my dear, you're back."

I remained calm and said, "You must be hungry. Let’s eat."

Ethan was distracted at the dining table, constantly glancing at his phone. I picked up some food and placed it on his plate.

“Something going on at the office?”

Without missing a beat, he nodded. “Yeah, it’s been busy lately.”

He wasn't even embarrassed to lie!

Suddenly, Ethan's phone rang. He quickly glanced at me before hurriedly retreating to the bedroom to answer the call. My hand paused mid-air and a coldness washed over me. It was that woman again.

He came out shortly after, grabbing his coat, "I'm sorry, my dear wife, something urgent came up at the company. I have to go back quickly!"

I gently adjusted his collar, smiling sweetly, "Go ahead, don't keep them waiting."

He patted my shoulder and walked out, the door slamming shut behind him. I sat there, alone with the dinner that had gone cold.

Quietly, I threw the meal away. The reflection in the kitchen glass showed a face that still looked youthful. It was a well-maintained face, almost forty, still without a fine line. But the eyes could not hide their fatigue.

I remember when we first started dating. Ethan used to tell me I was like a fresh cabbage, pure and full of life. Back then, he was full of dreams, poor but never insecure and completely different from those men who flattered and pleased me for money.

Ignoring my parents’ disapproval, I married him right after graduation. My father had no choice but to support him financially, helping him build his company with my family's resources.

With my family's support, Ethan's company grew bigger and bigger.

I took a look at the information that the private detective sent over. The girl in the photo had a ponytail and big eyes filled with a clear spring, radiating youthfulness.

After five years of dating and eight years of marriage, I thought I meant something special to him. My youth and efforts became a joke in front of this photo!

My nails dug into my palm.

I turned and went to the bedroom. The smell of lingering intimacy made my stomach turn. I held back my nausea as I discreetly set up a hidden camera in the corner and dug out a bottle of lubricant from the drawer. I poured out more than half of the liquid in the bottle, then filled it with super glue.

Super glue. It’s supposed to hold things together permanently, right? How poetic. I’ll use it to celebrate their unshakable bond. Didn’t they promise never to part? Not if I have anything to do with it.

Let me help you both!

…

After going through all of that, I decided to treat myself to a little getaway to Mexico. I just needed a break from everything that was going on. After eight years of marriage, I had tried so hard to be the perfect wife that I completely lost sight of who I was. I was afraid Ethan would feel insecure about his family background, so after we married, I became frugal, stopped traveling abroad and even cut ties with my old friends.

I used to think Ethan truly loved me. When I said I didn't want kids, he went ahead and got a vasectomy. When I joked about wanting a star, he bought the rights to one and gave it to me. But looking back now, it’s clear that his so-called love pales in comparison to everything I gave him in return.

When I landed in Mexico, I treated myself to a massive shopping spree, maxing out several of Ethan’s credit cards. Soon enough, my phone rang. I thought it would be him calling to confront me, but instead, it was a voice I didn’t recognize.

"Is this Mrs. Ethan? This is the Northwestern Hospital. Your husband had an accident and we need you to come in."

I raised an eyebrow. It had only been three days... Ethan couldn't stand loneliness more than I imagined.

For the sake of my husband’s "safety," I booked the earliest flight back and rushed to the hospital.

The doctor had just come out of the operating room and said seriously when he saw me, "Are you Mr. Ethan Malone’s family?"

I nodded.

"Mr. Ethan is in very bad condition. It was a very unusual situation and the surgery was extremely difficult."

Without hesitation, I replied, “Cut it off.”

The doctor’s face twitched beneath his mask, “What?”

I blinked innocently, “I mean it. Just go ahead.”

I added, " There’s no need to worry, Doc. He had a vasectomy years ago—no point keeping it."

His expression froze. “We’ll do everything we can with the surgery. Please sign here.”

I sat back, waiting leisurely.

Five hours later, after an intense operation, the doctors finally managed to separate the two of them. Ethan was no longer in critical condition.

The doctor looked at me, full of regret. “Unfortunately, it could no longer be used.”

I sighed dramatically, "Oh, what a pity."

After saying that, I left the hospital and called my best friend.