After I stopped loving him, I flew far away

I saw the necklace on Ethan’s desk on our third anniversary.

I thought it was a surprise for me.

But then he said he had a work thing and told me to go to bed early.

I saw his first love’s post on social media: “It’s nice to be remembered!” with a picture of that very necklace.

I didn’t want to confront him, I didn’t want to see it anymore.

Three years of marriage, I’d had enough of the coldness.

I wanted out.

…

When Ethan got home, I served steak and lit the candles.

Ethan hated steak, but I’d loved it since I was a kid.

After marrying him, I stopped eating it regularly.

Just because he didn’t like it, I changed a habit of over a decade.

But not anymore.

I wanted to end this one-sided life.

Ethan ate silently.

I pretended he wasn’t there.

After dinner, he walked past me.

“My assistant will deliver your anniversary gift tomorrow.”

“Been busy with the company, completely forgot. Don’t mind.”

His voice was indifferent, devoid of any emotion.

How could I mind?

“Okay.” I nodded.

Ethan paused, looking confused.

He expected me to cry, demand compensation like before.

Or cling to him, complain to his grandpa until he apologized.

But I wasn’t the same person I was three years ago.

I never thought I could handle Ethan’s infidelity so calmly.

That necklace on his desk caught my eye on our anniversary morning.

I thought it was for me.

Then it showed up on his ex’s feed.

I cooked his favorite dishes that night, but we didn’t have dinner together.

He came home at dinner time, walked into the kitchen without a glance.

“Company dinner later, don’t wait up.”

He left just like that.

I ate a table full of Ethan’s favorite food alone, used to the coldness.

I still thought maybe he was really busy, maybe he’d make it up to me.

Seeing that necklace on his ex’s post made my throat tighten.

I was the fool.

The necklace had another owner.

“Don’t make steak again, I don’t like it,” he said, making a face.

“But I like it.”

Three years, and that was my first act of defiance.

“Eat it yourself then. I won’t be home for dinner.”

Ethan went upstairs.

“Fine.” If he wanted a fight, he’d get one.

I couldn’t see his face.

“Don’t push it.”

“Clean up and come upstairs to shower and sleep.”

His voice from upstairs was a mix of command and impatience.

I didn’t want to cater to him anymore.

I would do what I liked, be myself again.

He was like that necklace.

What wasn’t mine, I wouldn’t hold onto.

I didn’t go to our bedroom.

I went to the guest room.

I’d just showered when I heard the door slam.

From the balcony, I saw Ethan’s figure striding towards his Maserati.

He sped off.

Clearly, something was urgent.

But it had nothing to do with me.

It was better he wasn’t home.

I felt freer.

I could do my own thing.

I worked on some jewelry designs, then lay in bed.

Soon, Ethan called.

“Olivia, make some porridge and bring it to the hospital. Jenny’s been admitted.”

He hung up before I could answer.

He texted me the hospital and room number.

Just because Jenny had a stomachache, I became her servant.

I made the porridge and arrived at her room.

Through the glass, I saw her snuggled in his arms.

Ethan quickly let go when I entered.

“Jenny said she felt awful, so I was rubbing her stomach. You know she’s not well.”

I nodded and placed the container down.

“Olivia, could you pour me a small bowl? Ethan’s tired too.”

I looked at Ethan.

He avoided my gaze.

“Sure.”

I held the bowl towards her, but Ethan took it.

“Jenny’s not feeling well, I’ll feed her.”

Before, that would’ve crushed me.

Now, it wasn’t worth it.

“I’ll go then, if there’s nothing else.”

I wanted to leave, give them space.

I was the third wheel.

“Don’t rush off, Olivia. It’s boring here. Why don’t you stay and chat?”

Jenny said as I opened the door.

The room was indeed empty.

Ethan had gotten her a private room.

I almost said no, but Ethan’s cold voice stopped me.

“Jenny’s being polite, and you’re going to refuse? Learn from her. Don’t be so petty.”

Since they were so keen, I stayed.

I sat down.

We made small talk, but Ethan stayed by Jenny’s side, occasionally asking me to get her water.

“Olivia, you know, the one who’s not loved is the mistress. The loved one is always the wife.”

“I know. I wish you both happiness and lots of children.”

Ignoring Ethan’s shocked expression, I left.

Back home, I stared at our wedding photo.

How ironic.

“Do you know any good lawyers? I want a divorce.”

I called a friend, then went to bed.

I didn’t know when Ethan came back.

I stayed in the guest room for the next few days.

2

“Why aren’t you sleeping in our room?”

“I think I’m getting a cold. Don’t want to get you sick.”

I didn’t expect him to ask.

“I just had my assistant pick up your anniversary present.”

He seemed different today.

“It’s late, why bother?”

“I paid him overtime. My assistant doesn’t have set hours.”

Poor Liam, working for a workaholic like Ethan.

Ethan put the gift bag on my dresser.

“What are you waiting for? Open it.”

Inside was a diamond ring.

He’d never bought me a ring before.

He’d even taken back our wedding rings, saying they didn’t suit me.

Maybe it wasn’t the rings he didn’t like, but me.

“Let me put it on you.”

Ethan reached for the ring.

“No, I’m about to shower. I’ll do it later. Go back, don’t catch my cold.”

I closed the box.

Before, I would have been ecstatic.

A diamond ring, a symbol of eternal love.

But I knew about his affair.

The ring felt like a cruel joke.

A belated gift, like belated affection, meaningless.

After Ethan left, I locked the door.

After my shower, I saw his text.

“Still mad? It really was a company dinner. I didn’t want to bother you when I got back drunk.”

So, I’d misunderstood his kindness.

“I’m not mad.”

I wanted to ask about the necklace, but it was so obvious.

He didn’t want to tell me the truth.

Why bother asking?

“Is it because I didn’t take you to dinner with Heather and the others last time?”

I’d almost forgotten.

His high school reunion.

He got completely wasted.

Heather drove him home that night.

“Ethan’s drunk. I took him to a hotel. Don’t worry, Olivia.”

Heather was his first love.

“Everyone was drunk that night. Heather happened to be there, so she took me to a hotel.”

“Nothing happened between us, really.”

He added a委屈的表情.

I wasn’t used to this.

I thought he’d lost his mind.

“Oh.” I didn’t want to argue.

“You’re overthinking it,” I replied.

His friends had explained it to me after that night.

“Olivia, we were all really drunk. Nothing happened between Ethan and Heather.”

But I’d never forget Ethan’s insult when I’d confronted him.

“Nothing happened with Heather. Don’t expect me to comfort you.”

No, he wouldn’t comfort me.

Not even pretend to.

“I don’t feel well. I’m going to sleep. Good night.”

I ended the conversation.

I put down my phone and started researching jewelry companies.

Things had changed since I’d left the industry.

Ethan’s family company was now number one globally.

The Italian company I’d worked for had dropped out of the top ten.

I wondered if my designs were still relevant.

The next morning, I woke up early and made breakfast as usual.

“What are we having this morning?”

Ethan’s voice startled me as I set the congee and toast on the table.

“There you go. Anything else you want, I’ll make it next time.”

I instantly regretted saying that.

Olivia, stop catering to him!

3

“Anything I want?”

Ethan asked with a sly grin.

I looked up, meeting his playful gaze.

“Just eat.”

I sat down and started eating, feeling the awkwardness.

“Where’s the ring? Why aren’t you wearing it?”

After breakfast, Ethan stared at my hand, demanding an explanation.

I’d meant to wear it this morning.

But remembering his actions, I’d left it in the box.

Maybe it was too ironic to wear it now.

“I’m doing chores. It’s not convenient.”

I always cooked for Ethan when he was home.

He’d offered to hire a housekeeper, someone to keep me company.

But I’d refused. He wasn’t home often. I wanted to interact with him.

That included cooking for him.

Now it seemed like I was just fooling myself.

Ethan left without a word, Liam picking him up for work.

I sighed in relief when he was gone.

Since last night, thinking about getting back into design felt like I was doing something wrong.

Liam came back that afternoon, not with Ethan but with a woman in her forties.

“Mrs. Carter, I’m the housekeeper Mr. Carter hired for you. I used to work at the Carter family estate.”

Strange. Why another housekeeper? Did he not like my cooking anymore?

I gave Liam a questioning look.

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Carter. Mr. Carter just didn’t want you to overwork yourself. He specifically asked me to bring Mrs. Fuentes from the estate to take care of you.”

Liam grinned.

“Exactly! Mr. Carter cares about you very much.”

Mrs. Fuentes’ words made me uncomfortable.

Ethan caring about me?

I’d sooner believe pigs could fly.

Since she was here, I couldn’t very well send her away.

Was Ethan that bored at work? What was he up to?

I needed to finalize some designs, give him a little shock.

“I’ll be home for dinner tonight. Wait for me.”

Ethan’s special notification tone.

Nothing good ever came of it.

I felt like a rebellious teenager, guilty.

Ethan actually came home for dinner.

Mrs. Fuentes’ cooking was much better, I had to admit.

“Now, Mrs. Carter, you can wear the ring.”

I hesitated, avoiding his gaze.

“What? Is Mrs. Fuentes’ cooking not good enough that you still need to do chores?”

He was learning to threaten me.

“No… no. Mrs. Fuentes is great.”

“Then put on the ring. And don’t take it off, understand?”

After showering, I gave in and wore the ring.

It felt strange, I wasn’t used to it.

Ethan hadn’t bought me a ring since our wedding.

He’d taken back our wedding rings, saying they didn’t suit me.

I’d always thought he just didn’t like the design.

Heather’s post got tons of likes that day.

“A ring from my beloved. We’ll overcome any obstacle together.”

Her hand, wearing the ring, was intertwined with someone else’s.

Ethan, no doubt.

And the obstacle? Me.

Heather was wearing my wedding ring. I didn’t feel sad.

She was wearing my secondhand things, just like her man.

I just pitied her.

The woman on Ethan’s marriage certificate was seen as the other woman.

And he allowed it, didn’t he?

I kept using the excuse of feeling unwell to sleep in the guest room.

Ethan let me be.

He was surprisingly tolerant these days.

I was at the mall at noon, trying to clear my head, when Ethan called.

“Where are you? I’ll pick you up for lunch.”

I’d just had pho, but Ethan rarely bothered with me, so I told him where I was.

Soon, I saw his familiar figure approaching.

He took my hand.

“You should come home for lunch.”

He half-dragged me to the parking lot.

There was another woman in the car with Liam.

Jenny was in the back, looking at me defiantly.

I stopped, looking at Ethan.

“What’s going on? Taking me on your date?”

“Olivia, don’t misunderstand. I was just hit by a scooter on the side of the road. Ethan happened to be passing by and offered me a ride.”

Jenny had rolled down the window, her voice saccharine and smug as she looked innocently at Ethan.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. It’s exactly as Jenny said. And Liam’s here. Nothing could happen.”

Ethan said coldly, glancing at me.

“Why are you two fighting as soon as you meet? You sit in the front. I’ll take care of Jenny in the back. She’s not feeling well and was quite shaken up.”

“Fine.” There was no point arguing. I went to the passenger seat.

Listening to them chatting in the back made me sick.

After dropping Jenny off, we went home.

As soon as I got out of the car, I felt dizzy and nauseous. I rushed to the bathroom.

When I came out, Ethan was on his phone in the living room.

I couldn’t hold back anymore. I ran upstairs, grabbed the divorce papers I’d prepared, and threw them at him.

“Let’s get divorced!”