The night before my wedding, I walked in on my fiancé and my sister having sex. When the truth came out, everyone urged me to step aside. My mother said, "Since Chloe and Caleb love each other, just let them be together. Be the bigger person, give Caleb to your sister." My father added, "Enough, Sarah. We're all family. Don't be so petty." Even my fiancé just kept his head down, silent. I didn't scream. I didn't fight. That very night, I packed my bags and left New York. Before I walked out the door, my mother threw her final threat: "If you leave today, we are disowning you. Don't ever come back! We won't care if you live or die. Don't expect us to collect your body if you die out there!" I didn't look back. "Fine. Consider me disowned." After that day, the wedding went on as planned. Only the bride had changed. I didn't return home for six full years. ... Until six years later, when I returned to New York. After the military commendation ceremony, I ran into Caleb Vance again. "Long time no see, Sarah Miller." I was walking out of the base when a familiar male voice stopped me. I looked up and met his eyes. Six years hadn't aged him; he looked even more handsome. White shirt, dark jeans, a black trench coat. His hair was cut short and sharp, his posture straight as he quietly watched me. "Long time no see," I replied with a polite smile. Caleb seemed stunned by my calm tone. After a moment, he spoke slowly, "Mom and Dad know you're back in New York for the ceremony. They prepared dinner at home. Come back and eat with us tonight." "Mom and Dad"—he meant my parents. I nodded. "Okay. It's been six years. It's time to go back." Seeing my agreement, he turned and led the way. An hour later, my modified Jeep pulled up to the entrance of the Happiness Gardens complex. The rugged vehicle looked out of place in this old, worn-down neighborhood. I stepped out, looking toward what used to be home. Six years. The old alleys were gone, replaced by high-rise apartments. The corner store was now a chain supermarket. The willow tree at the intersection had vanished. I walked forward, surrounded by strangers. Even Mr. Sun, the old neighbor, had moved away. Finally, I reached unit 502 in Building 3. I rang the bell. The door opened. My mother stood there in a grease-stained apron. Her once-black hair was now streaked with gray. She froze when she saw me. I broke the silence. "Mom." She snapped out of it, staring at her youngest daughter—standing tall in a crisp military uniform, radiating confidence. Her voice trembled. "Sarah... you're back. Come, come in." Compared to her nervousness and excitement, I remained calm. I changed into slippers and walked inside. The once dark and cramped living room was now spacious and bright. The sofa was clean, the coffee table uncluttered, and fresh lilies bloomed in a vase. The only thing that hadn't changed was the display cabinet flanking the TV. It was still filled with my sister Chloe's awards, from childhood to adulthood. Just then, my father walked out of the kitchen carrying a plate of roast chicken. He smiled awkwardly when he saw me. "You're back. Dad saved the drumsticks for you today." Growing up, whenever we had chicken, the drumsticks were always Chloe's. There were two drumsticks, but both went to her. I replied, "No thanks. The military has strict dietary regulations right now. I can't eat outside food. I'll just sit for a bit." A flicker of embarrassment crossed my father's eyes. Hearing the commotion, Caleb and my sister, Chloe Miller, came out of the kitchen. Chloe wore her hair in a low bun, gold-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. Dressed in a white knit sweater and a camel trench coat, she exuded a mature, feminine charm. When she saw me, her gaze shifted unnaturally. Dinner was awkward. I barely ate two bites. I sat at the table like a stranger, listening to the four of them talk about people I didn't know and things I didn't care about. When they were almost done, I checked my watch and stood up. "It's getting late. I should go." My mother immediately spoke up. "Aren't you staying? We haven't seen you in so many years. Stay the night, let's talk." I asked calmly, "Is there a room for me?" Our old home had three rooms. One for my parents, one for my sister, and one rented out. I slept in the living room. My mother seemed to recall the past, embarrassment flashing in her eyes. "In this new apartment, Mom saved a room just for you." "The sheets and covers are brand new. I just washed them." Facing her olive branch, I simply shook my head. "No need. The military arranged housing for me." I picked up my coat and turned to leave. 1 The next day, I spent the morning visiting a few local scenic spots. In the afternoon, as I was leaving the temple, I received a call from my mother. I hesitated for a moment before answering. "Sarah," her voice came through the receiver, "you didn't eat much the other day. Was the food not to your liking?" "Your dad booked a table at a nice restaurant for tonight. Let's have dinner together, okay?" In my memory, my mother had never spoken to me with such a pleading tone. It was always demands and accusations. Thinking of the gray in her hair, I agreed. "Okay. I'll be there." I hung up and headed to the restaurant. When I walked into the private room, I paused. Besides my parents, Caleb, and Chloe, there was a stranger—a man. Seeing me enter, my mother quickly stood up and pulled me to sit next to her. I asked, "I thought this was a family dinner? Who is this?" Chloe spoke up. "Sarah, this is a colleague from Caleb's Go club. He's single." "He's a 6-dan professional Go player. Very talented and hardworking." "We thought we'd take this chance to introduce you two. If you settle down early, Mom and Dad can rest easy." My father added, "It doesn't have to work out. Just making a friend. When you come back to New York, you can hang out." As soon as he finished, the man smiled at me. "Miss Miller, hello. I'm Jason Rivers. I heard you're in the military. Female soldiers are impressive. Can I get your number? Let's get to know each other." I understood immediately. They set me up on a blind date. Six years of no contact, and the first thing they do is try to arrange my marriage. I looked at Jason sitting opposite me. Average looks, thin build. His entire outfit cost less than one of my necklaces. I spoke slowly. "Mr. Rivers, since this is a blind date, let's get straight to the point." "Do you own property within the Second Ring Road? Did you drive here? What car? Is it fully paid off? Do you have savings? How many figures? Any debt? And... as a professional player, how many championships have you won?" Jason was stunned by the barrage of questions. He stammered, unable to speak. The others at the table were equally shocked. "Uh... I just remembered I have something to do at the club... I'll go first." Jason stood up awkwardly, grabbed his coat, muttered a goodbye, and fled. After he left, Chloe looked at me with displeasure. "Sarah, how could you be so blunt? Who asks questions like that? You scared him off. Who will dare to date you now?" I remained calm. "Isn't asking about conditions the point of a blind date?" I swept my gaze over everyone, finally resting on my mother. "Mom, do you know how much I make a year now?" My mother murmured something unintelligible. "I'm a Major General now. The salary isn't astronomical, but my savings are a hundred times his. Money isn't an issue." "The Jeep I drove home cost a million dollars. I have five properties in New York and three in Shanghai." I pointed to the necklace around my neck. "And this... Chloe, your lifetime salary probably couldn't buy it." Leaving them in shock and Chloe with an ugly expression, I stood up. "I remember Mom once said: a woman's class is determined by her husband's class." "Mom, Dad, Chloe... arranging a man who is clearly beneath me... what exactly are you trying to do?" "Is it really for my own good? Or can you just not stand to see me doing better than you?" I didn't want to say more. I turned and left. Some time later, my phone rang again. It was Caleb. "Sarah, do you want ice cream today?" It was our secret code. Years ago, when we were secretly dating in high school, we used this code to meet up without teachers knowing. After we officially got together at eighteen, we kept using it. Whenever we fought, if one of us said this, it meant they wanted a truce. Caleb held his breath, waiting. "No! Don't call me asking these questions. We should keep our distance." "I don't want people misunderstanding that I'm messing with a married man." I hung up immediately. Just as I was about to turn off my phone, a WeChat message popped up from Chloe. [Sarah Miller, you still hate me, don't you?] [You said all that today on purpose, right? Showing off how well you're doing? Trying to make Caleb regret it?] [If you don't have those intentions, then get married soon. It'll give everyone peace of mind.] I didn't reply. I turned off my phone, tossed it aside, and started packing for my return to the Shanghai base tomorrow. 2 Daxing International Airport. I dressed low-key, wearing sunglasses and a mask as I arrived at the terminal. From a distance, I saw my parents, Caleb, and Chloe standing there. Maybe due to blood ties, my parents recognized me instantly. "Sarah!" I frowned. "Why are you here?" "Chloe said you're heading back to Shanghai today. We came to see you off." My mother looked awkward. "About yesterday... we didn't think it through. It won't happen again." My father added, "Yes, come home often." They were always like this. Make a mistake, promise never again, and then do it again next time. Caleb looked at me, wanting to say something. "Sarah..." I checked my phone and interrupted him. "You didn't need to come. Someone is picking me up." Chloe's tone was sharp. "You haven't been back in six years. You have no friends here. Who's picking you up?" As soon as she finished, a voice called out from behind me. "Mama!" They all looked. A little white dumpling of a girl was running toward me. Behind her followed a man in a dark blue pilot's uniform. The little girl threw herself into my arms. "Mama, Papa and I flew a plane to pick you up!" They froze. I bent down, picked her up, and planted a big kiss on her soft cheek. "Was Annie good at home? Did you listen to Papa? Did you miss Mama every day?" Annie wrapped her arms around my neck and nodded vigorously. "I was good! I listened to Papa! I missed Mama every day!" Watching my daughter, my heart melted. Chloe recovered first. She frowned at the child in my arms. "Sarah Miller, is this really your child? When did you get married?" I didn't hide it. "Four years ago." My mother couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you tell the family about such a big thing? Who is the father?" Just then, the man in the pilot's uniform stepped forward. He took my arm and addressed them. "Mom, Dad, hello. I'm Sarah's husband, Liam Chen. I'm a captain for New City Airlines." "Because of Sarah's job, we kept the marriage private. I apologize for not visiting sooner." He took the child from my arms. "Annie, these are your grandparents, uncle, and aunt. Say hello." Annie waved her little hand. "Hello Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Auntie." "I'm Annie Chen. I'm three years old." My parents hurriedly responded. "Oh, hello, hello. Annie is so well-behaved." "Grandma didn't prepare a gift. Next time you come to Beijing, Grandma will cook something good for you, okay?" Annie nodded. "Okay!" Caleb's eyes were glued to me, not missing a single expression. But my attention was entirely on my child and Liam. I didn't even look at him. Chloe watched my family of three, and her tense shoulders finally relaxed. My mother reached out to hug the child, but I spoke up. "It's getting late. We have to go." My mother retracted her hand awkwardly. "Alright, go ahead. Text us when you get home." Liam nodded. "We will. Mom, Dad, take care." "Annie, say bye-bye." Annie waved. "Bye-bye Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Auntie." We turned and walked away. Back in Shanghai, my work at the base continued to be busy. Two weeks later, my assistant told me a man was looking for me at the base. I was surprised to see Caleb. "What are you doing here?" Caleb hesitated. "Can we talk alone?" My assistant sensibly left. Once we were alone, Caleb looked at me. "Sarah, I'm going to divorce Chloe." "I admit it. I regret it." I froze. "Caleb Vance, do you know what you're saying?" He nodded earnestly. "Sarah, I regretted it a long time ago." "Back then, I was arrogant. I thought as a genius Go player, my partner should be equally 'excellent.' I thought I should choose someone on my wavelength." "So I chose your sister. At first, we were in sync. We thought alike, worked with the same intensity. Even our personalities were similar." "We were happy. But gradually, I got tired. She wouldn't comfort me when I lost a match like you did; she'd analyze my mistakes. She wouldn't bow her head first in a fight; I always had to be the one to apologize." "I started missing how it was with you. But I had no reason to find you. It was my choice. I had to live with it." "I was ready to accept my fate. But then you came back." "I thought I forgot you. But seeing you in that uniform... I found that feeling again. That's when I knew. I regret it." He exhaled deeply. "I meant to say this the day you left Beijing, but... there was an accident." "Sarah, will you give me another chance?" I couldn't help but chuckle. "Caleb, are you crazy?" "I'm married. I have a child. Give you a chance? If you have problems with Chloe, solve them yourself. Don't drag me into it." "Don't ever say these things again. I'm happy now. I don't want trouble, I don't want to reminisce, and I don't want to be misunderstood." "Leave. Pretend you never said this, and I never heard it." "I have work to do." I walked past him. He grabbed my wrist. His eyes were red, voice hoarse. "Sarah, can you really not forgive me?" Under his pleading gaze, I slowly pulled my hand back. "Caleb. Let go." I shook him off and walked away. Caleb stood there, watching me leave, a mist filling his eyes. The old Sarah would have been heartbroken to see him shed a single tear. Now, she only had impatience. 3 That night, I was in the car with my husband and daughter, heading back from dinner at my mother-in-law's. I fell asleep against the window. A sharp ringtone woke me. It was Chloe. I answered quickly to not wake Annie. "What?" Chloe's accusatory voice came through. "Is Caleb with you?" I frowned. "No." Silence on the other end. Then: "I checked his flight records. He flew to Shanghai yesterday. He didn't go see you?" "Sarah Miller, you came back just to steal him, didn't you?" I was shocked. "Chloe, you and Caleb are truly a match made in heaven. You both say the most insane things." "He did come to find me today. Said a bunch of nonsense and left. If you want him, call him. I don't want to be involved in your messy marriage." "My daughter is sleeping. Bye." I hung up. Liam, driving, asked, "Your sister?" "Yeah," I said. "Caleb came to the base today. Said he regrets everything, plans to divorce her, spouted a lot of weird stuff." Liam's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "And... what do you think?" Hearing the tension in his voice, I smiled. "I kicked him out, of course. What does his regret have to do with me? Captain Chen, can you have a little more confidence in yourself and me? Am I that fickle? Plus, our daughter is so cute. I'm not giving up this happy life." Liam's lips curved up. But he sighed deliberately. "But Caleb is a genius player. I'm just a pilot. No fame, less money. Am I embarrassing you?" I pinched his cheek. "Hubby, you underestimate yourself. With a face like that, what are you afraid of? Don't worry, your wife is rich. I can support you forever. Just let me keep you." Liam laughed, grabbing my hand and kissing my palm. "Okay. I'll happily be a kept man then." 4 Caleb returned to his Beijing home late at night. A single floor lamp lit the living room. Chloe sat on the sofa, phone in hand, the screen light casting shadows on her face. "You're back?" Her voice was calm. "Yeah." Caleb bent to change his shoes. The winter chill clung to him, but his heart burned from the conversation with me. "Where did you go?" Chloe put down her phone, eyes following him. "...Shanghai." He hesitated but told the truth. The air solidified. "To see Sarah?" Her voice dropped. Caleb didn't speak, a silent admission. He poured a glass of water, fingers trembling slightly. "What did you go to her for?" Chloe stood up, anger finally seeping into her voice. "Didn't you chat enough at the restaurant? Or did you need to continue in Shanghai?" "Chloe!" Caleb turned, slamming the cup down. "Can you stop talking like that?" "How should I talk?" She stepped closer, red veins visible behind her glasses. "Should I smile and ask if you had fun with my sister? Ask if you reminisced about the past?" "Enough!" Caleb took a deep breath. "Chloe, let's get a divorce." The living room went dead silent. Chloe looked like she'd been punched. Shock, then disbelief and pain. "What... did you say?" Her voice was barely a whisper. "I said, let's divorce." Caleb looked away. "Our problems aren't new. I thought if I worked hard, we could make it. But I was wrong. We... aren't right for each other." "Not right?" Chloe repeated, then laughed bitterly. "Six years, Caleb. Now you say we're not right? Who said we were a perfect match? Who said it was destiny?" "I was wrong back then!" Caleb's voice rose, eyes reddening. "I was naive. I thought matching personalities and careers meant love. But life isn't a game of Go! I want warmth, tolerance, someone I can lean on! Not a referee who points out my every mistake!" "Yes, you're excellent, a top lawyer. But you give me more pressure than warmth! When I lose, you analyze my errors instead of comforting me! When we fight, I always have to bow first! You're always so calm, so correct! I'm sick of it!" Chloe stared at him, as if seeing him for the first time. She opened her mouth but no sound came out. "I regret it," Caleb let the tears fall, wiping them angrily. "Chloe, I regret my choice. seeing Sarah so happy, seeing how much her husband and child love her... I can't help but think, if I hadn't been so vain, if I hadn't been blinded by 'compatibility'... would the person standing beside her, being treated so gently, be me?" "So," Chloe's voice rasped like sandpaper, "you want to divorce me because of her?" Caleb was silent for a few seconds. He nodded, then shook his head. "Not entirely. But... seeing her made me realize what I really want. And it made me realize... there's no love left between us. Only habit." Chloe didn't speak. She lowered her head, shoulders shaking. Caleb thought she was angry. But when he prepared to continue, he heard a soft, suppressed sob. He froze. Chloe... was crying? The Chloe who was always calm, composed, never showing weakness... was crying like a child. Silent, but devastated. It was the first time he'd seen her cry. Caleb's heart clenched. The harsh words died in his throat. "...Chloe?" She didn't look up. She wiped her face hard. When she spoke, her voice was hoarse. "I'm sorry." Caleb was stunned. "I'm sorry," she repeated, finally looking at him with red eyes. "I... didn't do enough. I only thought about us being excellent... I forgot to ask if you were tired." Tears flowed again. "Caleb, don't... don't mention divorce now, okay? It's almost New Year's. Mom and Dad are old, they can't take it. At least... wait until after the holidays?" She was begging. Looking at this fragile stranger, Caleb's mind was a mess. Anger and resolve receded like the tide, leaving only confusion and... pity. He nodded. "Okay. Before New Year's... I won't bring it up." Chloe seemed relieved, yet heavier. She looked at him deeply, then turned to the bedroom. "Rest early." That night, they lay in the same bed, separated by an invisible, icy river. In the dark, Chloe spoke. "Caleb." "...Yeah?" "Let's have a baby." Caleb stiffened. "Maybe... with a child, everything will be different." Her voice was soft, hopeful. "We'll be more like a family. I'll learn... to be a good mother, and a better wife." But in Caleb's mind, the image of the little white dumpling in Shanghai airport surfaced. Her smile, her voice calling "Mama." And the overflowing tenderness in Sarah's eyes when she looked at him. That was the love and family he imagined. "...No," he heard himself say dryly. "Not now. I... I'm not ready." Beside him, Chloe's breath hitched. After a long time, a faint sigh. "Sleep."
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