Love is Fading

"Isn't that right? All the couples in our neighborhood are so envious of you two, unlike my son who got divorced at such a young age. His wife cheated on him and ran off with someone else." The old man said.

Hearing these compliments felt like blatant sarcasm to me.

Celine pretended to be affectionate, tightly holding my hand and resting her head on my shoulder and said, "I love my husband so much, I would never cheat on him like your son's wife did."

While we were having dinner, she went to the restroom and her phone was left on the table. As soon as she left, the phone buzzed. I picked it up casually and it was a message from Jericho.

I had never looked through Celine's phone before, but over time, she had let her guard down and never set a password.

I scrolled through their conversation with trembling hands: [Celine, are you coming tonight?]

[Didn't I tell you not to contact me for the next few days?]

[I miss you. Do you want to see my chest muscles?]

Jericho had sent a provocative selfie showing off his toned chest. In the photo, his sunny, handsome face was teasing, licking his lips and his eyes carried an enticing, almost predatory look.

Celine, apparently moved by the photo, had replied: [You're my naughty troublemaker. I miss you too. Tonight, I'll show you the brightest fireworks in the city.]

[Thank you, Celine! I have a little gift for you too!]

The next photo showed a set of seductive lingerie on a bed, next to a condom.

I marked the message as unread. When I put the phone down, Celine had just returned.

Seeing my actions, she hurriedly shoved her phone into her pocket, "Did you look at my phone?"

I shook my head and said, "A message came in and I wanted to check it for you, but then you came back."

Celine nervously smiled, "It's probably just a New Year's greeting from a friend. You know, this time of year, messages flood in." I coldly nodded.

During dinner, Celine was distracted, frequently glancing at me. Only when she saw that my expression remained unchanged did her anxious look ease somewhat.

That night, Celine put on a delicate makeup look and changed into a tight-fitting dress with high heels. She quickly dragged me to the balcony.

She kept checking her phone, counting down the time and said, "Honey, let's count down together! Three! Two! One! Happy new year!"

A loud boom rang out through the night sky as dazzling fireworks lit up the entire city. The bright lights illuminated our faces and I felt dazed.

I remembered, the night I proposed to Celine, the fireworks were just as brilliant. At that time, I didn't have 999 red roses or a diamond ring as big as a pebble, only a 'ring' I'd fashioned from a soda cap.

I asked her, "I have nothing. Will you marry me?"

Celine's eyes brimmed with tears and without hesitation, she nodded, "I do! I'll only love you in my life!"

The vow, just like the fireworks above, was fleeting and short-lived. We, too, had once cried together, tightly embracing, watching the fireworks bloom in the night sky.

Back then, my eyes were fixed only on Celine, my mind filled with dreams of endless happiness for the future. But now, I was numb, filled only with deep disappointment.

This fireworks display didn't belong to me. The woman standing in front of me didn't belong to me either.

When Celine saw the tears in my eyes, she suddenly froze, "Honey, what's wrong?"

I wiped my eyes and shook my head.