My Husband Married His Mistress After Twenty-Five Years

On their 25th anniversary, Cohen Snyder presented a ring to his wife, Lea Wagner. "All these years together, does it really matter if we have a marriage certificate?" he remarked nonchalantly. Lea glanced at her hand, missing half a ring finger, and suggested they split up. Without hesitation, Cohen invited his mistress to move in. That same evening, their son, Madden Snyder, posted a family photo on Instagram with the caption, "Full moon and family gathering on Thanksgiving. One big happy family." Despite being part of this family for 25 years, Lea realized she had always been an outsider. As she prepared to leave for a volunteer mission in Africa, Cohen was filled with regret.

Under the dim light, a dazzling diamond ring lay in a red velvet box, its cold glint stark and uninviting. Cohen handed the box to Lea, his voice impatient. "Put it on. My assistant, I mean, Eva, checked out several stores to find this."

Lea looked at him blankly and shook her head. "It doesn't fit."

Cohen paused, chuckling awkwardly. "Oh, right… I forgot."

Indeed, he had forgotten. Thirty years ago, during a car accident, Lea had used her own body to shield Cohen, leaving him unscathed. In doing so, she lost her ring finger, and with it, her dream of becoming a surgeon. When Cohen woke up, he clung to her, tears streaming down his face, repeatedly muttering, "I'm sorry." He vowed to take care of her forever, promising eternal devotion. But those youthful promises had faded with time.

She tossed the ring box back at him, her voice icy. "This ring would suit Eva better."

Cohen's face darkened. "Lea, don't be unreasonable! I just forgot. Besides, does it have to be the ring finger?"

"Can't it go on another finger?" he demanded. "Or are you still mad about us not getting the marriage certificate?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Lea met his gaze steadily. "Cohen, today is our anniversary, and this is how you treat me?"

"Anniversary? We've been together so long. What's the point of celebrating anniversaries anymore? With or without that certificate, it’s all the same, isn't it?" Cohen waved dismissively, a hint of irritation in his voice. "Fine, fine, I can't win with you. Be angry if you want."

"I'm not coming home for dinner tomorrow. If you bring me lunch, make sure to include some pulled pork."

Lea looked at him, surprised. "I won't."

"Why not?" Cohen furrowed his brows. "Eva… I mean, I've just developed a taste for pulled pork recently."

A cold smile played on Lea's lips as the truth hit her. Cohen, who never cared much for fancy foods, suddenly became picky when Eva returned as his assistant, ordering food that clearly wasn't for him.

"You’re allergic to pork, remember? Or are you conveniently forgetting now?" she asked, feigning amusement.

Cohen's expression faltered. "I'm allergic? That's news to me! Just make it."

Lea didn't respond, merely offering a cool smile.

Seeing her relent, Cohen's tone softened, tinged with appeasement. "You're the best, darling. Your cooking is top-notch. I've only ever enjoyed your meals all these years."

"In that case, eat as much as you like," she replied meaningfully.