Deadly Temperature Difference
Chapter 1
I’d begged my husband, Alex Qin, for six months to take me to this concert.
I waited at the airport until they announced the final boarding call, but Alex was nowhere to be seen.
I called him countless times; no answer. Then I saw a post from Sarah Shen on my social media feed.
The caption read, “Thanks to someone who stayed up two nights in a row and still came to watch the esports tournament with me!”
The picture showed her and Alex embracing and giving the peace sign at the esports arena.
Without hesitation, I turned off my phone and went to check in for my flight.
This was my favorite artist’s last concert before retirement.
The perfect send-off for my dying relationship.
1.
I turned my phone back on after my flight landed back in the States.
Five days. Not a single call from Alex.
Stepping out of the airport, I was hit by a torrential downpour.
I waited ages, but couldn’t hail a ride.
Then, Alex’s number popped up on my screen.
His voice was cold.
“Where are you? Come pick Sarah and me up at the airport.”
I didn’t say anything.
Before, I would have angrily demanded to know where he and Sarah had been, but now, I just didn’t care.
Alex was getting annoyed. “Summer Yuan, are you mute?”
“I’m at the airport entrance.”
Predictably, Alex asked why I was there.
“Just got back from the concert.”
He fell silent for a few seconds, seemingly remembering his promise to take me.
Before I left, I saw Alex’s work schedule on the hospital’s internal group chat, and my heart skipped a beat.
I just hadn’t expected his hard-won time off would be spent watching esports with Sarah.
“Where are you? We’re coming to get you.”
I gave him my location and hung up.
Before Alex arrived, a rideshare finally accepted my request. Another car pulled up at the same time.
Alex beat me to it, pulling Sarah’s hand and shoving her into the car.
“Sarah’s tired. I’ll drop her off, then come back for you.”
Before the car pulled away, Sarah rolled down the window, her tone dripping with smugness.
“Thanks for the ride, Summer.”
I watched them go, my heart heavy.
Alex frowned:
“Don’t be silly, just close the window, you’ll catch a cold.”
Though his words were sharp, his actions towards Sarah were gentle.
The car could have held three, but Alex and Sarah’s world didn’t have room for me.
I stood there, soaked, luggage at my feet, alone at the airport entrance.
When the rain stopped, Alex didn’t contact me. Instead, I saw his social media post.
“Taking my little girl to a game, fulfilling her wish, and having a little fun in the States.”
Attached were pictures from their five-day trip.
My finger lingered on the last one – Sarah and Alex in matching pajamas I’d bought them.
Pajamas I’d begged him to wear, let alone take pictures in.
Seven years of marriage, and he’d never once posted about me on social media.
Now, he’s posting nine pictures of Sarah.
Seven years of longing, and someone else got it effortlessly.
Seven years, and I couldn’t melt the ice around his heart.
Now, someone else has.
I put my phone away and smiled, a wave of release washing over me.
I checked into a nearby hotel.
Going home now would only be pointless.
2.
After checking in, I showered and slept.
The next morning, I went straight to the hospital.
My hospital was renowned statewide.
Alex was a major shareholder; I was just a neurology associate.
I hadn’t even had a sip of water when I was called to the ER for a consultation.
At the ER entrance, I ran into Alex.
A woman in a serious car accident needed immediate care, requiring both OB/GYN and neurosurgery.
During work, Alex and I both put our personal feelings aside and gave it our all.
Perhaps that was the only unspoken understanding we shared.
After a successful surgery, a nurse joked,
“Dr. Qin and Dr. Yuan are a perfect match. You two have such great chemistry during surgery. It’s a waste you’re not together!”
Alex’s face darkened.
Before he could deny it, I cut in,
“Don’t say that, I’m just a regular doctor; I’m not good enough for Dr. Qin.”
No one at the hospital knew about our relationship, he said he didn’t like to mix business and personal life.
Usually when someone said we were a perfect match, I’d secretly be pleased, thinking even if we weren’t public, others saw us as a couple.
Now, it annoyed me. I needed to distance myself from Alex.
The nurse, still chuckling, asked what kind of guy I was looking for.
The first person who came to mind was Alex.
I pretended to think before answering,
“Besides money and a good job? No one.”
The nurse laughed so hard she doubled over.
Alex suddenly spoke from behind me.
“Dr. Yuan, I have a few questions about the surgery we need to discuss.”
The nurse excused herself, quickly leaving us alone.
In Alex’s office, I asked what he wanted to discuss.
Alex abruptly said,
“Summer Yuan, where were you last night? You know I have a thing about cleanliness, and if I find out you…”
I smirked, interrupting him.
“Dr. Qin, it’s working hours; this isn’t the place for personal matters.”
Once, I just asked him what he wanted for dinner during work.
He scanned the room, then harshly scolded me for discussing personal things during work.
After that, I never again brought up personal matters at the hospital.
Alex was caught off guard.
After a long silence, he said in a low voice, for me to leave.
Before leaving, I smiled at him.
“Dr. Qin, please ask my husband where I was appropriate to be last night.”
A flicker of guilt crossed his face.
I didn’t expect him to respond, simply leaving the office.
Near the end of my shift, I received a text from Alex—a screenshot of two movie tickets.
I knew it was his attempt at reconciliation.
After confirming nothing urgent was happening at my department, I went to the movie. I wanted to talk to Alex about a divorce.
Leaving the hospital, I saw Sarah waiting for him in his car.
Right in front of me, he got in and drove off.
Moments later, Alex texted, saying Sarah needed his help and to wait for him at the movie theater.
I didn’t wait; I went straight to the lawyer’s office.
After finalizing the divorce proceedings, I got to the theater to collect my tickets.
Alex always chose movies I didn’t like. I used to force myself to watch them.
This time, I left halfway through and bought a sci-fi movie ticket online.
After the movie, I went for street food.
Alex didn’t like that kind of food, so I’d avoided it.
But Sarah’s feed showed Alex eating countless meals of what he’d once called “junk food.”
I’d poured my heart into our seven years; he still didn’t have room for me in his heart.
Divorce was the only option.
3.
After dinner, I bought a beer and sat by the river until almost midnight.
When I opened the door, Alex was sitting in the living room.
These past few years, he’d been “busy” with Sarah until late, sometimes not coming home at all.
We were both doctors with busy schedules.
When we first got married, Alex had just taken over the hospital.
He was constantly at the hospital or attending events.
I’d make him tonics to boost his health.
He considered it the work of a housekeeper.
Annoying him constantly.
Once the hospital stabilized, Sarah came along.
His busy schedule shifted from work to Sarah.
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.
Alex stared at me coldly.
“Summer Yuan, you’ve been drinking. You know I hate the smell of alcohol.”
I blinked, but said nothing.
I knew his dislikes depended on who he was with.
When Sarah was drunk, he’d take care of her.
But with me, it was “I hate the smell of alcohol.”
Double standards were Alex’s specialty. I didn’t want to live like this anymore.
Alex was surprised by my silence.
Usually, he’d ignore me, and I’d be angry, demanding an explanation.
As I was about to go to the bathroom, Alex asked if I knew what day it was.
I looked at my phone. It was my birthday. Well, it had been.
Every year, I’d subtly remind him a week beforehand.
If he was in a good mood, he’d give me a gift. If not, he’d grumble about birthdays.
This was the first time he’d mentioned it.
A bit tipsy, I yawned.
“It’s just a birthday. It’s nothing…”
Before I finished, Alex tossed a gift box at me, his voice slightly guilty.
“I got you something. See if you like it.”
If Alex remembering was surprising, him giving me a gift was like the sun rising in the west.
Normally, I’d be grateful and post it everywhere.
I picked up the box and placed it on the table.
“Thank you. I like it.”
My nonchalance confused Alex; he got angry.
“I’m sorry for missing the concert, but I’ve apologized, and you’re still like this! Sarah’s brother asked me to look after her before he passed, I have to take responsibility.”
I was busy replying to a message, but didn’t let him off the hook.
“Yes, you should take responsibility. After all, you did spend five wonderful days in the States with her.”
Alex looked guilty, then frowned, his face dark as night.
It was his fault, so he glared at me.
Normally, I’d apologize.
He’d learned that if he scowled, I’d obey.
This time, I was focused on my message. The divorce was top priority.
Alex remained silent, then asked what I was reading.
I put my phone away. “Just consulting on some things.”
“I’m drunk. I’ll sleep in the guest room.”
I ignored him and closed the door.
I slept soundly.
4.
The next morning, I received the divorce papers and texted Alex to come home early; I had something important to discuss.
He replied that he would.
But he didn’t come home until ten.
I wasn’t surprised, and started packing.
At midnight, he finally arrived, looking satisfied.
He wasn’t surprised to see me waiting.
He started his usual explanations:
“Sarah’s cat had kittens; I had to help.”
I scoffed.
Last month, he’d used the same excuse.
We’d had a huge fight.
But this time I didn’t ask, I got straight to the point.
“You should have helped. Sit down, I need to talk to you.”
He sat, unconcerned.
His lavender cologne made me sneeze repeatedly.
I only ever smelled it on Sarah.
Alex looked guilty, but quickly blamed new hospital-provided soap.
I hid my sarcasm and didn’t press it, pulling out the divorce papers.
“Look it over and sign it. Let’s not torture each other anymore.”
“I checked the calendar; today’s a good day to sign the divorce papers.”
