Chapter 1
My wife, who had always struggled with intimacy, attended my hundredth photography exhibition, where I showcased an art piece featuring myself in a close embrace with another woman. The two of us were prominently displayed, completely unfiltered. To my surprise, the inside of her thigh bore a tattoo identical to one of mine.
Addressing the guests with assurance, I stated, "This is my first venture into bold, avant-garde art. I owe special gratitude to Emily Bell for her willingness to contribute so significantly to my exhibition." I added, "I hope we continue to collaborate frequently in the future."
Watching them holding hands, I didn’t react with the anger I might have felt before. Quietly, I canceled the dinner reservation I had made for our anniversary. After feeling overlooked for four years, I didn't want to engage in this emotional back-and-forth anymore.
A notification confirmed the cancellation on my phone. I took one last glance at the stage. Jonas still clung to Emily's hand, laughing and chatting with the guests. For someone who had a strong aversion to physical contact and couldn't even tolerate a gentle touch from his own wife, it was unsettling to see him break those boundaries with someone he'd known for less than three months.
The highlight of this hundredth exhibition was supposed to be a photograph of Jonas and me holding hands—a close-up symbolizing our journey from courtship to marriage. It would have marked the first time he agreed to remove his gloves and actually touch me. I had been eagerly anticipating this moment as the staff unveiled the dust cloth covering the frame.
Instead, what emerged was a provocative image: Jonas and Emily, bodies intertwined, with only their limbs covering the most intimate parts. Their skin was wrapped in a nearly transparent plastic film, creating a striking yet visually captivating scene. In my shock, I noticed the tattoo on Emily's inner thigh—an exact match to the design on Jonas's abdomen.
During the introduction, Jonas claimed that this bold photo was simply an artist's challenge and a breakthrough, a way for someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder to heal himself. His voice was teary as he thanked Emily for her guidance and support over the past months, which had supposedly helped him overcome his fears and anxieties.
I couldn’t accept such an absurd explanation. I had given up a successful career abroad to become a full-time homemaker, tending to Jonas's every need. Every day, I cleaned the sheets, curtains, and clothing, ensuring even the plates and utensils we used were labeled to avoid any mix-up. Over four years, I had bent over backward for him, and now, I was truly worn out.