My Wife Proposed to Her First Love

I looked at Aphrodite, choosing not to argue anymore as I put away the divorce agreement.

“I’m going to rest now. Please leave,” I said quietly.

She snorted heavily and slammed the door behind her.

The next day, Aphrodite returned home early from work, arms laden with groceries.

“Samuel, I’ve thought about it seriously. I realize I’ve been neglecting you these past few days. Today, I’ll cook. You can finally taste my cooking!”

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at me, catching me off guard.

Had she noticed the change in my attitude and begun to reflect on herself?

She let me settle on the couch to watch TV, placing a plate of washed fruit in front of me.

With a quick kiss on my cheek, she hurried into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

A wave of confusion washed over me, mixed with unexpected emotion.

How long had it been since she had kissed me or cooked a meal for me?

Ever since Dimitri had returned, it felt like a barrier had formed between us.

Maybe she truly understood my efforts and wanted to return to the way things used to be.

For a moment, my resolve to leave wavered.

The doorbell rang and when I opened it, there stood Dimitri, gifts in hand.

“Samuel, today I spent the whole day persuading Aphrodite to make it up to you. Don’t be angry anymore!” he said cheerfully, strutting into the house. He immediately made his way to the kitchen to help out.

Suddenly, everything clicked into place. The glimmer of hope that had sparked within me was instantly extinguished.

Dimitri and Aphrodite busied themselves in the kitchen, their laughter echoing throughout the house.

Through the glass, I caught glimpses of the soft, affectionate way Aphrodite looked at him. At that moment, I felt more like a guest in my own home.

At the dinner table, Aphrodite made several attempts to engage and draw me into conversations with Dimitri, but I showed little interest.

It was clear that only Dimitri and she shared a lively connection.

After dinner, Aphrodite volunteered to wash the dishes, leaving me alone with Dimitri.

Not wanting to continue the charade, I stood up, ready to head to the bedroom.

But Dimitri called out to me, smiling as he held up a property certificate. “Samuel, you probably already know that Aphrodite bought me a house.”

He spoke lightly, looking at me like a victorious general.

I froze for a moment but quickly masked my feelings with a smile. “Well, congratulations then.”

Dimitri, dissatisfied with my response, shot me a disdainful glance. “Talking to you is so dull. But I have something else that might interest you.”

He smiled provocatively, pulling out a jade pendant.

My eyes widened in shock. That was my grandmother’s keepsake.

“How did it end up with you?” I asked, reaching out to grab it, but he dodged my hand.

“I found it in your bedroom. I thought it was special, so Aphrodite gave it to me,” he explained, twirling it in his hand casually, a malicious grin spreading across his face. “You didn’t know, did you? Aphrodite and I were... quite intimate in your bed.”

Rage surged through me, accompanied by a wave of nausea.

“If we get into a fight, who do you think Aphrodite will side with?” His voice dripped with smug confidence as he pressed down on the pendant.

A bad feeling gripped me and I lunged to snatch it from him.

“Give it back—”

He let go and the jade pendant hit the floor, shattering into pieces. My last shred of sanity snapped. I slapped Dimitri hard across the face.

“Samuel, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to!” Tears streamed down his face as he sobbed, repeatedly apologizing.

I scrambled frantically to piece together the shattered pendant, but it was impossible.

Aphrodite rushed out at the commotion, only to find a tear-streaked, red-faced Dimitri and me looking like a madman.

Furious, she stormed over, grabbed my arm and slapped me across the face.

“You lunatic! Dimitri came to apologize to you in person today. Not only did you not appreciate it, but you even hit him!” she thundered.

My bloodshot eyes fixed on her, filled with confusion and anger.

She tenderly helped Dimitri to his feet, ready to take him to the hospital.

In a fit of rage, I pounced on Dimitri, punching and kicking him while crying, demanding he compensate me for the broken jade pendant.

Aphrodite rushed over and violently shoved me away, sending me crashing into the wall as a wave of pain swept through my body.

“If you keep acting crazy, don’t blame me for not holding back! Let’s go, Dimitri!” she shouted, her voice sharp with fury.

She carefully supported Dimitri as they hurried out the door.

Through my tears, Dimitri threw me a smug smile as they left, sealing my heartbreak.

I knelt to pick up the pieces of the shattered jade pendant, placing them in a box, each fragment a reminder of what I had lost.

Tears streamed down my face and it felt like my heart had died.

Aphrodite didn’t come home that night.

I sat numbly, holding my luggage, waiting for dawn to break.

Before heading to the airport, I left the divorce papers behind, placing the house keys on them.

It was over between me and Aphrodite, once and for all.