The One Thing I Never Expected

The Birthday He Didn't Wait For

Lawrence let out a sigh.

Then, he took a deep breath, curled his lips into a smile, and asked casually, "Sylvia, where's my birthday present?"

He asked me that every year.

Even though I always gave it to him right on time, he could never wait even a minute longer.

This year, I had planned to ask him whether he wanted to adopt a child—one that would belong to both of us.

For so many years, his firm refusal to have children had made me assume he had fertility issues. To protect his pride, I had never brought it up.

It turned out that he wasn't incapable of having a child. He just didn't want one with me.

When I didn't answer, he didn't press. Instead, his eyes stayed glued to his phone.

On the screen was a full-size photo of that woman named Willow.

He accidentally tapped a voice message, and her bright, energetic voice spilled out of the speaker.

"Honey, I made a whole table of your favorite dishes. When are you coming over? Let me whisper a little secret to you. After dinner, Miles will head to his grandma’s, and then… I’ll be all yours to savor."

Lawrence listened with obvious pleasure, not caring at all that I was still right there.

He picked up his phone and replied, "Really? I'm looking forward to that main course. Since Miles won't be home tonight, I'll make sure to spoil you properly."

He grabbed his coat while soothing her like an indulgent lover. "Alright, I'm coming over now. I'll be with you soon, okay?"

Only when he reached the door did it seem to dawn on him that I existed. He turned back and smiled at me.

"I'll have someone come clean up the mess later. Don't touch the broken porcelain, okay? And when I get home, I hope I'll see my birthday present."

I felt unbearably cold, my whole body trembling. It was as if all my emotions and senses had been drained away. I felt hollow, lifeless.

The person on the other end must have grown impatient and called again. Lawrence answered instantly.

"Lawrence, we're getting a divorce if you walk out that door."

He only responded with a distracted hum and kept putting on his shoes. Only when he was about to leave did he reluctantly hang up.

He turned back and asked, "Sylvia, what did you just say?"

Before I could respond, he smiled again. "Don't worry. I'll bring back your favorite walnut cookies. Just relax and continue to be Mrs. Ashford. My heart is with you. There's no doubt about that. She can never take away the things that belong only to you."

The door closed, sealing off the outside air.

Just then, I remembered the promise he made to me when he proposed.

"I'll love you for the rest of my life, Sylvia. I'll only be good to you. I don't want anyone else."

The memory felt as vivid as yesterday, yet ten years had already passed.

Sincerity had always been fleeting. Promises only mattered at the moment they were spoken.

The love we had between us was already gone. Since that was the case, I would be the one next out the door.