For five years, my husband and I never had any intimate contact, all because he suffered from severe mysophobia. Outsiders mocked me for failing to provide an heir, and my mother constantly forced bitter herbal concoctions down my throat. I always understood his unique condition and silently endured everything. Until that day, I went to his company to deliver soup, only to walk in on him passionately kissing a twenty-year-old intern, even engaging in more explicit acts. In that moment, various past scenes flooded my mind: once, when I fainted from low blood sugar and accidentally touched him, he frantically scrubbed the spot I had touched until his skin turned red. It turned out his mysophobia was only directed at me. … “Sweetheart, you’re so incredibly sweet.” The sounds of fervent kissing intertwined with Patrice Thorne’s sweet nothings, a sickly-sweet combination that made me want to vomit. Katy Wilmore, the intern, cooed coyly. “Am I sweeter, or is your wife sweeter?” “Didn’t she say she was bringing you sweet soup? It’s hard work for an old woman to maintain her marriage.” “What?” Patrice froze. “When did she say that? I’ll make a call.” My phone rang, and I numbly answered. “Baby, I’m going on a business trip to Seahaven today. I forgot to tell you not to bring the soup.” “When I get back, it’ll be your birthday. I’ll definitely give you a big surprise, baby.” Surprise? I gave a bitter laugh. Probably only a shock, no joy. Suppressing the tightness in my chest, I replied. “Okay.” He didn’t notice anything amiss in my voice, let out a long breath, and hung up. The office door opened, and I quickly ducked into a blind spot in the hallway. The girl wore a school uniform, her fair legs rubbing against Patrice’s tailored trousers. “You’re telling your wife you’re on a business trip, so you’d better treat me well.” Patrice’s voice was thick with barely suppressed desire. “I’ll definitely satisfy you, you little minx.” My stomach churned, and I leaned against the wall, dry-heaving, tears streaming down my face. Patrice and I had been in love for ten years, married for five, and it had all been a joke. My phone suddenly displayed a booking confirmation for a boutique hotel. He was so eager he’d forgotten his membership was linked to my card. After a long moment of daze, I opened the app that had been dormant for five years. When we were first married, Patrice had smiled as he installed the app on my phone, saying with it, I’d always know where he was and what he was doing. All these years, I had trusted him completely and never opened it. But today… “Stop it, don’t kiss me there.” “What are you scared of? Is there any part of you I haven’t kissed?” Patrice and Katy’s intimate sounds filled the air, and I couldn’t help but let out a self-deprecating laugh. His severe mysophobia felt like a loud slap across my face. The pain radiated from my face, all the way to my heart. I sat there numbly for half the night until everything settled into a quiet hum. Katy’s voice was seductive. “Darling, didn’t you say you never loved her? Why do we have to hide our relationship?” Patrice’s voice was hoarse. “She owns half the company shares. Dividing things in a divorce would be too complicated.” “But I’ve never even touched her. You’re the only one in my heart, you little minx.” Katy let out a discontented whine. “I don’t care. Figure something out.” Patrice sighed indulgently. “Alright, for you, Katy, I’ll make sure she leaves with nothing as soon as possible.” All the blood in my veins turned to ice. Years ago, when the Thorne family’s finances were in trouble, I invested all the assets my late father left me, bringing Patrice’s company back from the brink. At that time, he not only gave me half the shares but also promised with tear-filled eyes. “Eleanor, I will always be good to you. I will never let you down.” But now, he was not only entangled with a young intern but also wanted to take everything from me. I closed my eyes, trembling as I dialed my lawyer’s number. “Please contact the person who bought the shares last time. I want to sell.” The lawyer sounded a little surprised. “Ms. Caldwell, didn’t you say you were drafting a gift agreement for your husband?” I gave a bitter laugh. “I’ve changed my mind.” “Also, please send me the divorce papers you have on file.” Those were the papers Patrice had signed when we were newly married. He said that if one day he did something I couldn’t forgive, I could leave without hesitation. Neither of us expected that one day, his words would become a bitter prophecy. Stumbling back home, I collapsed onto the bed. Looking at the photos on the wall opposite, I felt only sorrow. The shyness of our student days, the smiles of our passionate romance, the tranquility of our married life, to the recent… blankness. I realized we hadn’t taken a photo together in a long time. Even the herbal pillow he had specially prepared for my insomnia years ago had lost its medicinal scent, leaving only bitterness. Three days later, Patrice returned, bringing a bouquet of lychee roses. “Baby, I’ve missed you so much. Look at the flowers I specially brought back for you. Do you like them?” I glanced at them; they were my least favorite pink. He didn’t care about my response; he hurried into the bathroom. I used to tolerate his mysophobia; now, it just felt like hypocritical disgust. I picked up the flowers. Their petals were a bit dehydrated, and a card tucked among them read, “To my dearest Katy.” I gave a self-deprecating smile. No wonder. Patrice walked out, drying his hair. “What’s so funny, baby? You look so happy.” I crumpled the card into a ball and gently shook my head. “Nothing.” He approached me but still maintained a distance. “By the way, your birthday is in three days. We should celebrate it properly. Let me know if there’s anything you want.” Looking at that distance, I felt only sorrow. All these years, he and I had always maintained this distance. Outsiders said he was promising and doted on me, and I had convinced myself of that too. But now, with Katy, I understood that the distance between us was like a galaxy, impossible to cross. Suppressing the bitterness in my heart, I forced a smile and asked him. “Alright, but what if you can’t afford it?” He smiled gently. “Eleanor, anything I have, I can give to you.” “If it’s still not enough, then next life, the life after that.” His sweet words pierced my heart like a knife, tearing me to shreds. I knew there was no future for us. Tears fell uncontrollably, and he quickly pulled out a tissue to wipe them. His hand happened to bump into mine as I tried to wipe my tears. His face involuntarily twisted, and he muttered, “I’m sorry,” before rushing into the bathroom. The rushing sound of water and the squirt of disinfectant were incredibly grating. The tissue fell to the floor, not having wiped away a single tear. The doorbell suddenly rang. Katy stood at the door, her eyes somewhat hostile. “Ms. Caldwell, I’m here to pick up Captain Thorne for a meeting.” Patrice hurried out, a flicker in his eyes. “Didn’t I tell you to wait downstairs?” Katy pouted. “It’s too cold outside; it’s snowing heavily.” Patrice’s face showed an uncontrollable ache of tenderness, and he quickly grabbed his coat from the hanger, draping it over Katy. Seeing me staring, he let out a feigned sigh. “She’s young, I’m worried she’ll catch a cold and it’ll affect her work.” Listening to his words, I vaguely remembered a similar snowy day when my mother punished me by making me stand outside. Patrice’s nose was bright red from the cold, yet he firmly placed his coat over me. “It’s cold outside. If you get sick, it’ll affect your studies.” Even though my knees still ached in the snow, even though that coat later ended up in the trash. Yet, it was still the only warmth I had known since my father passed away. A last flicker of hope ignited in my heart, and I spoke, trembling. “My leg hurts so much. Can you stay and keep me company?” “Before, on snowy days, you always gave me moxibustion.” Patrice’s body stiffened, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes. “Eleanor, if you don’t feel well, go see a doctor. Don’t be as willful as a child.” I stared blankly as the door slammed shut, my heart slowly sinking. Five minutes later, the doorbell rang again. I thought it was Patrice and rushed to open the door, but it was Katy. She looked at me with triumph. “Eleanor Caldwell, stop with your games. He doesn’t love you at all.” “Want to bet? Even on your birthday, he’ll be with me.” “After all, you’ve been married for five years and you’re still a virgin, while he and I have slept together countless times.” I expected to be hysterical, but I wasn’t. I was surprisingly calm. Returning to my room, I took out the divorce papers and signed my name. In the evening, Patrice finally returned. He wore the coat he had lent Katy, his face still showing a hint of satiation. Seeing me sitting blankly on the sofa, he rubbed his temples apologetically. “Eleanor, this meeting was really important, I…” “I understand, I know.” I calmly interrupted him, not saying another word. He knelt down, his expression helpless. “Don’t be upset. After we land this big project, how about I take you to an auction?” “I told you I’d give you the best birthday gift.” I gave a self-deprecating smile. A gift, or a guilt-ridden compensation? The snowflakes outside pelted my face, cold and painful. Katy, in the passenger seat, blinked. “Ms. Caldwell, hello.” Patrice’s eyes darted away as he opened the back car door for me. “Katy gets carsick, Eleanor, please bear with us.” If it were before, I would have made a scene, but now I merely nodded faintly and calmly got into the car. Patrice seemed momentarily disoriented, then hesitantly closed the car door. Katy laughed and chattered all the way, and Patrice laughed with her again and again, oblivious to the change in me. I closed my eyes to rest, but couldn’t stop the nausea. Yes, I also get carsick, and he had even promised the passenger seat was exclusively mine. But now, he had forgotten all of it. After getting out of the car, I threw up until I was dizzy. Katy pretended to offer me water out of concern, but her tone was light and venomous. “Such an old woman playing frail, it’s truly disgusting.” I lifted my head, my face pale, and indeed saw Patrice’s slightly furrowed brow. Yes, he had severe mysophobia towards me. At the auction. Item after item flashed by, but I didn’t raise my paddle once. Patrice, however, bid on a pink diamond and a ten-thousand-acre lychee rose estate. He even added, in a veiled attempt to explain. “My partner’s young daughter is only nine and loves pink. It’s a gift for her.” I couldn’t help but smile sarcastically. Katy’s face was practically overflowing with joy, yet he was still telling this obviously flawed lie. “The final item, the ‘Eternal Heart’ necklace. Legend has it that giving this to your beloved will bring eternal happiness.” The auctioneer’s words made countless women’s eyes light up. Katy was no exception. Patrice glanced at her and immediately raised his paddle. “All-in.” The scene erupted in a clamor. “True to form, Captain Thorne, loving his wife for over a decade. So enviable.” “This is real love. Mrs. Thorne must have done so many good deeds in her past life.” My eyes held a hint of sorrow. What true love? This necklace wasn’t even for me. Patrice looked at me, his eyes full of tenderness and affection. “Eleanor, happy birthday. Do you like your gift?” Behind him, Katy’s eyes were filled with venom. My expression was calm. “It’s very beautiful.” But it was just a gem. “I also prepared a grand gift for your birthday. I hope you like it too.” The auction house took the necklace, saying they would engrave my name on it. Two hours later, I brought the necklace home. Katy suddenly sent me a photo: the “Eternal Heart” on her neck sparkled brightly. But she quickly retracted it. “Ms. Caldwell, I sent that by mistake. You don’t mind, do you?” I replied faintly. “No, I don’t mind. After all, I don’t like dirty things.” “I have mysophobia too.” Dropping my phone, Patrice walked in. He handed me a gift box. “Your birthday dress, Eleanor. See if you like it?” I calmly opened it. A very beautiful dress, unfortunately pink, and my least favorite mermaid style. I looked up at him. “What does this mean?” He instinctively raised his hand, clearing his throat to cover his discomfort. “I thought you could try a different style.” I glanced at the dress, which was clearly not my size, and gave a sarcastic smile, but didn’t argue further. “Never mind then. I have other dresses.” He quickly put it away. “Hmm… alright. Next time, I’ll definitely get you something you like.” At the birthday banquet. Patrice had specially booked a cruise ship to celebrate my birthday. The guests had all arrived, but Patrice was conspicuously absent. Whispers had already begun to ripple through the crowd. “I heard rumors of a split between the Thornes before, but I didn’t believe it.” “For people of our standing, five years with no children… Captain Thorne has been patient enough.” My mother pinched me hard. “You useless thing, you can’t even hold onto your own husband. What good are you to me?” I shifted, avoiding her, and gave a sarcastic smile. “He’s the one who’s late. What does that have to do with me?” Over the years, she’d gotten a lot of money from Patrice, treating him better than her own son. When my belly remained flat, she’d bring me endless concoctions of tonics. At first, I thought she cared, until she said, “Are you a barren hen? What about your brother’s startup then?” My heart sank completely, and I gave up the last shred of hope for any familial affection. She glared at me. “If you weren’t so useless, unable to bear a child, would your brother still be unemployed?” “I warn you, you better die in the Thorne family, hear me?” Almost an hour later, Patrice finally rushed in, with Katy trailing behind him, wearing that pink mermaid gown, hickeys clearly visible on her neck. My mother greeted him with a smile. “Good son-in-law, too busy with work, I suppose. It’s fine for this little wench, Eleanor, to wait.” “About your brother-in-law’s startup…” Patrice frowned. “Mom, it’s Eleanor’s birthday today. We can discuss business privately.” Patrice walked towards me, his tone slightly subdued. “I’m sorry, Eleanor, something came up.” I smiled faintly, my voice calm and clear. “It’s fine. After all, I really admire you, couldn’t even resist having a quickie with your little intern at your wife’s birthday party.” “Though, you seem a bit late. This might be her second round.” The large screen split into two. One showed Patrice and Katy intertwined, while the other displayed the faces of countless other men. Amid Patrice’s stunned gaze, I slowly walked onto the stage. “Everyone, I have three announcements to make.” “First, Patrice and I are divorced.” “Second, I have sold all 50% of my shares in Thorne Industries. From now on, Thorne Industries has nothing to do with me.” “Third, congratulations to Mr. Patrice Thorne, a man with severe mysophobia, for overcoming his male sexual dysfunction and finding his true love, a woman available to all. I wish them many children!”
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