Love Turns to Tears and Ashes

I took my luxury shoes and bags to a second-hand shop for consignment. The money I saved up would be donated in Connor's name. It would be one single generous contribution to the children in the mountainside.

Meanwhile, Connor had settled Kelly into his villa on the outskirts of the city.

Five years ago, Kelly was a wealthy young lady. She had to move to America because her parents wanted to expand their business there.

Fifteen years ago, when the McDavid family business was in trouble, it was the Lawson Family who had stepped in to help them out.

Connor had never expected that in just a mere five years, the Lawson Family's investments would fail, leaving them bankrupt and drowning in debt. Now, he had become the esteemed CEO of the McDavid Group, while Kelly was known as a woman who ran from her debtors.

He felt pity and regret for her predicament and he figured, morally and emotionally, that he should assist the Lawson Family.

So, with a bolt stroke of his pen, he took over all of the Lawson Family's debts.

As it was getting late, Connor was ready to leave. However, suddenly Kelly tugged at his sleeve and with a voice trembling with fear, she said, "Connor, don't go … I'm scared …."

“What’s there to be scared of? We’re in our home country,” he reassured her.

"I'm truly frightened. When I was abroad, those people often came to our house at night to demand money to pay our debts. If we couldn’t pay, they would break things and hurt us …” As she spoke, she curled up into Connor's embrace. “Connor, I was really scared of being beaten.”

Is this really the same proud Kelly as before? Connor wondered. Seeing her distress, Connor felt uneasy and agreed to stay there for a while.

Back at home, I waited until eleven at night, but still no sign of my husband. The dinner that I had prepared with my own hand for him had grown cold after I warmed it over and over again. It seemed today's dinner ended up in the trash again.

Just then, a stranger’s number sent her a friend request on Instagram. The nickname was "Dream," and the profile picture was of a beautiful woman.

The first person I thought of was Kelly. And sure enough, after I accepted the request and opened the friend's Instagram, I saw Connor's silhouette.

He had removed his suit jacket, his white shirt’s sleeves rolled up high and he was wearing an apron while busy in the kitchen. It was accompanied with a caption that read, “Finally getting to eat authentic Chinese food again. It feels great to be home and to be cared for.”

After five years of marriage, I was shocked to learn that my husband could cook.

I still remembered the first time I cooked after our marriage. At that t time had prepared dinner and eagerly greeted Connor with a smile. However, he frowned and pushed me aside. "I can't stand the smoke smell."

I was embarrassed then I sniffed my sleeve trying to find the smell of oil. From that moment on, every time I cooked, I would take time to shower before sitting down to eat with him.

Yet, that cold man was willing to cook a meal for someone else tonight.

I managed to give a small smile and liked the Instagram Feed post.

Connor only came home after three days and the first thing he did when he got home was to toss a limited-edition handbag at my feet angrily.

“What do you mean by this?” he snapped.

I picked up the handbag, dusted it off and explained, "I don't use this expensive bag too often. Isn’t it better to sell it to someone who needs it and let it serve its purpose?”

“This was a gift for you! If you don’t like it, you can throw it away, but why sell it?” asked Connor angrily.

I did not understand why he was so angry about this.