Chapter 1
My husband was tired of me after I completely changed his life.
To him, I changed from an innocent and sunny girl to a nagging and boring woman in eight years.
When he talked about his lovely secretary for the third time, I gracefully put down my knife and fork and said, “We should get a divorce.”
He was stunned by my suggestion but showed no objection.
Walking out of the city hall, he said to me in a low voice, “I am sorry... We are still friends.”
“No,” I responded. “I don't want to see your face again.”
I became a character in the novel, and I saved the paranoid boy there.
I kept him company, went to school with him, and protected him against his violent father with my flesh and blood.
He said that I was the only light in his miserable life.
Later, he and I got married, and we had two kids.
As time ticked by, he gradually got tired of me.
"I shouldn't have gotten married so quickly. I miss my carefree life." He chatted with his friends.
Holding a tray of fruit outside the study, I overheard him.
Reid Haywood was at ease. His tone was brisk, so his speech sounded like a joke.
His friend didn't take his words seriously and teased, "Your wife was the apple of your eyes. Are you regretful?"
"Of course not." He lowered his voice. "Anne is a great woman, but…"
He was tired of me.
I once had a thorough analysis of Reid.
Because of his unhappy childhood, he became obstinate and unruly.
For his lover, he could kneel in the snow for the whole night. For a business project, he could climb onto the sixth floor with his bare hands.
Deep down, he loved adventure and excitement.
Now, his life with me was cozy and peaceful, so he felt bored and tired.
Thinking, I heard someone inside the study say, "You can have a spree."
Reid's friend suggested, "Your wife is old, and there are young and pretty women interested in you."
Reid shook his head, and his tone became stern. "I won't cheat on my wife. Don't say that again."
He stayed true to me, but he no longer had any passion for me.
We had been married for eight years, and we had two kids. It seemed all our passion and love had become family affection.
Was it the right ending for us?
I didn't have the answer.
After work, I went home. The dinner was ready. I looked at the empty chair and asked the maid, "Is Mr. Haywood dining out?"
"Yes, he said that he had a business gathering. He is busy," the servant replied.
I asked no more questions.
After dinner, I left home with my jacket. I dropped by Reid's company. I went to the top floor of the building by elevator.
Outside Reid's office, I heard chats and laughter from inside.
The voices belonged to Reid and his female secretary.
When I held the doorknob to open the door, Reid's voice sounded, "You are like my wife in her youth, cute and as vigorous as the burning sun."
A sweet voice responded, "She sounds great, so why do you linger here?"
"She is old." Reid explained, "She is already 30 years old, like a stagnant pool of greenish water. The two kids are noisy at home."
Then followed a hearty laughter. "So, you prefer to chat with me here. Well, what is on your mind? Out with it. Relax. I am not interested in you. I just feel sorry for you who can't go home."
Through the gap, I saw that Reid was very close to his secretary and that their clothes were tangled together.
Reid warned in a low voice, "Don't forget yourself."
His secretary giggled.
Looking at the smiling face, Reid had nostalgia and excitement in his eyes.
A long time ago when I held a bunch of red roses to celebrate his birthday, he had looked at me in the same way.