Everyone in our social circle knew Adrian loved me more than life itself. But behind my back, he was keeping an eighteen-year-old girl on the side. He claimed she was just like me when I was younger, and that he was merely trying to extend the essence of his true love. He even issued a strict order: no one was to let this reach me. Until the day I found out I was pregnant. I rushed to his office to share the news, only to find a girl who looked about 70% like me sitting on his lap, feeding him wine from her own mouth. She asked Adrian, "Am I just her replacement?" He pulled her closer and sneered, "She isn't even worthy of being compared to you." That same day, I scheduled an abortion and called my aunt overseas. "Aunt May, I've decided. I'm moving to New Zealand." 1 Aunt May paused on the other end of the line, then her voice brightened with joy. "Orange, you've finally made up your mind! I'll have your uncle start the paperwork immediately. It should take about ten days. Wait for my news!" I hung up and drove straight home. When I arrived, Adrian was already sitting in the living room. There was a rare look of nervousness in his eyes. "You're back late. Where did you go?" I held up the pharmacy bag, my voice flat. "Nowhere special. My stomach was acting up, so I went to the doctor. He prescribed some herbal supplements." My health has always been fragile, and getting pregnant was difficult. After the abortion, the doctor insisted I take these supplements to help my body recover. Seeing my calm expression, Adrian finally got to the point. "Did you have business at the office today? Why did you leave as soon as you arrived?" I guessed his subordinates had reported seeing me at his office door. But he wasn't sure if I had seen that scene. In reality, their intimacy only lasted a few seconds. The little assistant fed him a sip of wine and then hopped off his lap. "I was just passing by. I saw you were busy with your assistant, so I left." I saw him visibly relax. My heart ached. We had been married for seven years. Everyone called us the perfect couple. I thought we would love each other for a lifetime. I never expected his heart to change so quickly. "She was just reporting on work! You know how it is, she's young and doesn't understand boundaries, so she stood a little too close." Adrian walked over and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, his tone gentle. "Babe, we haven't been back to our university in ages. I'm free tomorrow, why don't we go for a visit? Relive some old memories!" Mentioning our alma mater seemed to relax him, lifting his mood. We were high school sweethearts who made it to the altar. Every anniversary, we would visit our old school. But this year, Adrian said he was too busy with work, so we didn't go. Now I realized, he was busy keeping his eighteen-year-old assistant company. I sighed and shook my head, rejecting him. "Maybe later. The doctor prescribed ten days of herbal medicine. I have to brew and drink it every day." He hummed an acknowledgement, then began stroking my long hair. I turned slightly, subtly dodging his touch. His hand paused. "Orange, you seem unhappy. Is it because you saw Lexie standing too close to me today?" "Lexie is just a kid, she didn't mean anything by it. You wouldn't hold a grudge against an eighteen-year-old girl, would you?" My heart seized painfully. Once upon a time, I was an eighteen-year-old girl too. When I looked up again, my gaze was calm. "No, I'm not holding a grudge." His expression softened immediately. "That's right! There's a jewelry auction next week. Whatever you want, I'll win it for you." Just an hour ago, I had seen Lexie's latest Instagram post: "Uncle says he's taking me to an auction next week to broaden my horizons! He even promised to win the grand finale piece for me! I love my Uncle so much~" It was accompanied by a photo of their hands making a heart shape. In the photo, the wedding ring on Adrian's finger was blindingly conspicuous. I glanced at him indifferently. "No need. Win it for someone else." Adrian's gaze darkened. Just as he was about to speak, his phone pinged. It was a message from Lexie. Just a photo of a bed covered in various "toys." He glanced down, and I saw his Adam's apple bob. "Orange, there's a new deal I need to negotiate. I have to go on a business trip for a few days." With that, he hurried away, unable to hide the excitement in the corners of his eyes. I remembered countless nights before this when he used "urgent business" as an excuse to leave, which eventually turned into frequent "business trips." Just then, a message from Aunt May popped up. I clicked it open. "Orange, your uncle has submitted your immigration application. See you next week!" 2 Adrian didn't return until a week later. I thought he would go straight to the office, but he rushed home during the morning rush hour. Lexie had been updating her social media frequently these past few days. In her latest photo, she wore a sheer white nightgown, looking both innocent and seductive. Caption: "Uncle praised my new battle gear. He even said he wants to tear it off himself!" I laughed humorlessly and left a comment: "It's his favorite style." The post was deleted almost immediately. As soon as Adrian walked in the door, he started his interrogation. "Jane, I already explained everything to you last time! Lexie is just an eighteen-year-old girl. Why do you keep targeting her?" I froze, realizing he was referring to the deleted post. Seeing my expression, Adrian's anger flared. "She just posted about feeling lucky to have a good boss, and you insulted her with such nasty words?" "Jane, you're thirty years old. Aren't you embarrassed bullying a little girl?" I pressed my lips together and didn't explain. I let Lexie slander me to him. In three days, I would leave this place. I didn't care about his attitude anymore. seeing I didn't argue like I used to, Adrian felt a pang of guilt. He softened his tone. "Orange, you used to be so reasonable. Why have you become so difficult lately? Is it because you haven't been feeling well?" He placed a food container on the table and personally served me a bowl of hot porridge. "I had the chef at the old mansion make this stomach-soothing porridge specifically for you. Since your stomach has been bothering you, I told them to make it fresh every day. I'll go back and get more for you tomorrow morning." He scooped up a spoonful and held it to my lips. "Every time you're in pain, I wish I could take it for you." I frowned, keeping my mouth shut. Adrian's patience wore thin. "Jane, are you done? You're not eighteen anymore. Do you still expect me to coddle you like I used to?" "Lexie is the granddaughter of old Mr. Lin, a family friend who entrusted her to me before he died. Isn't it normal for me to take care of her? Can't you be more understanding?" I smirked. Entrusted? Taking care of? Nice. He took care of her all the way to bed. Adrian always said he loved how sensible and obedient I was. I always put his feelings first. Even if I was wronged or unhappy, as long as he coaxed me, I would accept his goodwill immediately. No drama, no fuss. Like now, he had already lowered his head to make peace. He expected me to take the out he offered. Fine. I was leaving for my aunt's soon. I didn't want to raise his suspicions. "The porridge is a bit hot. Put it down, I'll drink it later." Perhaps because my attitude was still cold, Adrian softened his voice further. "Orange is so sensible. I knew you were the most understanding!" A moment later, a phone call summoned Adrian to the office. 3 I didn't need to guess who called. Before leaving, Adrian kissed my forehead. "Be good, work emergency. Tonight at the auction, I'll win you a piece of jewelry." After he left, I laughed out loud. There was no denying we once loved each other. He truly loved me, but later he gave that love to Lexie. A change of heart is a change of heart. Yet he used such a clumsy excuse, saying Lexie was just like I used to be. I looked around the home we had shared for seven years, my heart aching. The living room wall was covered in photos of us—from our first date to our wedding, to every anniversary. We took a commemorative photo every year, except this one. When fate ends, it's time to scatter. I sighed silently, cut myself out of all the photos, and packed my things. I threw away my half of every couple's item in the house. The divorce agreement I had commissioned from a lawyer was signed. I placed it in a box on the nightstand, along with the abortion receipt. I also scheduled emails containing screenshots of Lexie's posts and messages to be sent to his inbox. Just as I was about to sit down, Lexie messaged me. It was the time and address of the auction. And a sentence: "Dare to come, Auntie? Uncle says tonight he's lighting a lantern for love!" That night, I appeared at the auction on time. I hadn't planned to go. My flight to New Zealand was later that night. I was leaving soon; why bother with a little girl's provocation? But Lexie sent me the auction catalog, wanting to show off the grand finale—a world-class yellow diamond necklace she was determined to get. However, my eyes were drawn to a brooch by a new designer. It was understated and elegant, matching Aunt May's style perfectly. I wanted to buy Aunt May a gift, and this was it. Aunt May was my closest relative. She took care of me when my parents died. When she moved to New Zealand, she wanted to take me, but I was madly in love with Adrian and refused to go. Unexpectedly, true love is fickle. In just seven years, Adrian fell for someone else. When I arrived, the front seats were mostly full. I sat in the back row, planning to bid and leave. Sitting in the center of the hall were Adrian and Lexie, leaning close and laughing. Lexie glanced back occasionally. When she saw me, the corners of her mouth lifted noticeably. She looked like a proud little peacock. The grand finale items are always last. The brooch I wanted, being from a lesser-known designer, came up early. I won it easily at a low price. As I got up to leave, Lexie called out to me maliciously from the front row. "Hey... Auntie! Leaving after winning just a trinket? The real treasures are coming up! Especially the finale piece. Isn't it a pity not to see it?" Lexie's crisp voice drew many eyes toward me. She smiled triumphantly. I smiled too. Eighteen is the age to be loud, dazzling, and fearless. No wonder Adrian liked her. Seeing such a vibrant, beautiful girl, even I felt a sense of appreciation. Adrian patted her head indulgently, signaling her to be quiet. Then he glanced back casually, curious who had caught his beloved's attention. When he saw it was me, his expression shifted rapidly. It was the first time I saw guilt and anger appear on a person's face simultaneously. There were many familiar faces at the auction, people from Adrian's circle. Lexie's shout made it impossible for Adrian to pretend he didn't see me. Under everyone's gaze, he awkwardly had someone guide me to the seat next to him. Adrian signaled Lexie with his eyes to move to an empty seat in the back. She stood up indignantly, her eyes reddening instantly. "I don't want to! Didn't we agree that tonight..." "Go to the back! Lexie, don't make me say it twice!" Lexie pressed her lips together tightly, trying hard not to cry. I lightly touched Adrian's arm. "Forget it, don't make her sad. I already got what I wanted, there's no need for me to stay." Adrian's face was grim, his tone unhappy. "You are my wife. She's just an assistant occupying your seat. What does she have to be upset about?" Perhaps the word "assistant" pierced the young girl's pride. She burst into tears and stormed to the back row. Adrian held my hand, insisting I stay. He wouldn't let me leave now. I had to sit next to him. Without turning around, I could feel the murderous glare burning into my back. It wasn't until the finale, when Adrian successfully won the yellow diamond necklace, that Lexie smiled again. After the auction, she looked at Adrian expectantly. But Adrian didn't even look at her. He clasped the necklace around my neck. I tried to refuse, but he held my hand down. "Orange, you deserve the best!" Lexie turned and ran away in anger. Adrian's peripheral vision followed her. His furrowed brow and clenched fists betrayed his inner turmoil. I smiled, took off the necklace, and handed it back to him. "Something this valuable should be kept in the bank vault." Adrian paused, his brow relaxing. He gripped the necklace tightly, but before he could speak, I interjected. "But thank you for the gift. I actually prepared a surprise for you too. It's on the nightstand in the bedroom." He hugged me, stroking my back. "Orange is the best. I can't wait to see what the surprise is!" As he hugged me, his right foot unconsciously pointed toward the exit. The urgency in his eyes was overflowing. I knew he was desperate to go comfort Lexie. I smiled silently. "If you have work, go ahead and get busy!" Adrian gave me a grateful look, then grabbed the jewelry box and walked away quickly. I got into the ride-share I had booked, speeding toward the airport. Outside the window, Adrian's black Maybach flashed by. I looked back. Adrian, goodbye. Goodbye forever. 4 Driving toward Lexie's apartment, Adrian felt a sudden, sharp pain in his heart. A vague unease settled over him. He felt like he was losing something important. He recalled Jane's expression just now. Something about it felt off. Even when he arrived at Lexie's, the unease lingered. Lexie was still sulking, throwing a tantrum. Normally, Adrian found this lively and cute. He was drawn to her youthful vitality. Lexie made him feel like a young man again. But right now, he was inexplicably irritable. He didn't coax her like usual. He just handed her the box. Lexie's eyes lit up when she saw the box. "I knew Uncle was the best to me! I'll put it on and show you!" For the first time, Adrian thought the girl in front of him seemed materialistic. Even though he had willingly spent money on her before, including this luxury apartment. But her reaction to the necklace rubbed him the wrong way. Lexie was only eighteen; she couldn't hide her true emotions well. She only got this excited over expensive gifts. She faked joy for the smaller ones. But Jane was different. Jane liked his expensive gifts too, but she loved the thoughtful little trinkets more. Adrian suddenly felt that Lexie didn't love him as much as she claimed. Lexie ran to the bedroom with the box, acting mysterious. "Uncle, wait a sec. I'm going to put on my new battle gear to match!" Adrian's irritation peaked. He wanted to leave immediately and find Jane. He turned to go, but Lexie came out quickly. His breath hitched, and he stopped. Lexie had changed into a purple silk dress. Thin but not cheap, it clung to her figure as she walked, revealing glimpses of skin. Combined with her youthful face, it was a mix of innocence and seduction. Adrian felt the blood rush to his head. It was just a tasteful nightgown, but on an eighteen-year-old girl, the contrast was striking. Every nerve in his body fired. He lost control, carrying her to the bed. He clasped the yellow diamond necklace around her pale neck, and in the next second, Jane was completely forgotten. Two hours later, Adrian got out of bed, unsatisfied but resolute. He dressed to leave, but Lexie grabbed his wrist. "Uncle, you promised to stay with me tonight! You're a grown man, you can't break your word." Adrian insisted on leaving. He didn't know why, but he desperately wanted to go home. He remembered Jane saying she had a surprise for him after the auction. He was anxious to see what it was. Lexie clung to him, refusing to let go. He got angry, snapping at her for the first time. "Lexie, can you stop being so willful and immature?" Lexie threw a tantrum, flinging his hand away. "Now you think I'm willful? You said an eighteen-year-old should act eighteen, that being willful is cute!" Adrian felt a pang of regret. He had indeed been attracted to her petulant nature. He was supposed to look after her for an old friend, and he had taken care of her all the way to this point. Jane's eighteen-year-old face flashed in his mind. She was willful too, but never like this with him. Jane gave him emotional stability. In this moment, he truly felt how much she loved him. Thinking of this, Adrian left without looking back. He wanted to go home to Jane, to apologize. He had neglected her recently. He promised to spend more time with her. As for Lexie, he would send her abroad to study. A few years of discipline, and she would become as sensible as Jane. Adrian thought, if she stopped being so reckless, he wouldn't mind keeping her around. If she wanted to marry someone else, he would give her a large sum of money to ensure she lived comfortably. Lost in thought, Adrian arrived home. He opened the door eagerly, calling Jane's name. "Orange, I'm home." But no one answered. Confused, Adrian walked into the living room. Where could she be at this hour? When he saw the photo on the wall cut in half, his mind went blank, and a sense of dread washed over him.
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