The Past is Like a Failed Painting

Next to each photo, there were time and date markings.

There was one stood out photo. It was taken five years ago, on the day of the international painting competition finals.

He wrote a line. [All stumbling blocks will become stepping stones for Joana.]

And the stumbling block he mentioned was me.

A man's love was both subtle and explicit.

Hidden in every photo on the wall.

It made my heart ache.

There was also a document in the middle of the room, which specified Joana's identity.

She was the daughter of Joseph's father's mistress and had no blood relationship with Joseph.

There was a line in the lower right corner of the document, which was Joana's handwriting.

[We are destined to be brother and sister in this life, but I will be Joseph Gillard's wife in the next life.]

Beside her handwriting, Joseph also left two words. [Same wish.]

Staring at these lines of words, my hands could not stop trembling and the pain of having my tendons cut was still vivid in my mind.

The anger and despair in my heart erupted like a volcano.

It turned out that all the suffering I had endured was due to his twisted and unspeakable love for Joana.

I laughed at myself and had no intention of reading more lines.

I appointed a lawyer to draft a divorce agreement and also made an appointment for myself to have my death faked three days later.

Three days, say goodbye to five years, that was enough.

The next day, when I opened my eyes, Joseph was no longer by my side.

The slightly cool sheets indicated that the person who slept on them had left long ago.

There was a beautifully packaged breakfast on the table.

He knew I liked the cuisine of a star hotel in this city and ordered breakfast for me at his house for five years.

But now I had no appetite, so I just threw my breakfast into the trash can and went out.

Today was the opening day of Joana's Gallery.

Since my hand was injured five years ago, I had never set foot in any place related to painting again.

It was just because Joana said, "This is my first gallery and I hope to get the blessings of all my family."

Joseph had been persuading me to attend her precious moment for half a month with him.

He said that it was where Joana's dream began.

Unfortunately, he forgot that it was also where my dreams were shattered.

I smiled bitterly and my eyes just happened to meet Joseph who was feeding Joana a sandwich.

Before he could speak, Joana greeted me with a smile.

"Emily, the sandwiches my brother made are so delicious! I envy you so much for having such a good meal every day."

Hearing this, I was stunned for a moment.

In the five years of our marriage, my husband had never entered the kitchen for me.

Thinking of the breakfast I bought every day for five years.

I once thought it was his love language, but now I thought it was all just perfunctory.

If he did love and care about me, he would at least cook for me once in a while.

Sensing that my face was not right, he walked briskly over and said, "Dear, this little girl is too picky. She can't get used to eat something outside."

I did not care about what he said and nodded lightly.

Joseph wanted to explain, but the host announced the start of the opening ceremony.

Joana hurried over and took his arm.

"Joseph, the ceremony has begun. Can you accompany me to cut the ribbon?"

He smiled lovingly, then turned to me and said, "My Dear, wait here for me. I will come to you after the ceremony."

Without waiting for my response, the two of them went on stage together.

The man turned his face sideways the whole time, his gaze closely following Joana, full of warmth and affection.

Some guests whispered.

"Ms. Gillard is so beautiful, with both talent and appearance. If she and Mr. Gillard weren't brother and sister, they would be a match made in heaven!"

"They are not real siblings. If you ask me, the pseudo-orthopedics are the best ...."