Chapter 1

My thirteenth wedding anniversary fell on my thirty-eighth birthday.

Early that morning, after dropping our ten-year-old son, Joey Shaw, off at his Math Olympiad competition, Hugh came downstairs.

He was wearing yet another new tie, and, for once, a tie clip.

A cute little bear with a smile decorated it.

It was obviously the work of some young girl.

In the living room, Joey gave me an indifferent look.

I thought Hugh would use the same tired insult again:

"Maya, is standing in the kitchen in an apron all you know how to do?"

But he didn’t.

He simply said, "Maya, let’s get divorced. I’ve already prepared the papers."

I stopped halfway through turning around.

I slipped a hand into my apron pocket and looked at him. "Why?"

Hugh touched his tie clip and calmly admitted that he’d fallen in love with someone else.

She was a new intern at his company.

"Mina is lively and warm, like a little ray of sunshine."

"I want to pursue her as a single man and give her the respect she deserves."

As he spoke, Hugh’s gaze turned impatient and disgusted whenever he looked at me.

I curled my lips into a mocking smile.

I used to be his sunshine too. But once I grew older and my light began to fade, he couldn’t stand me anymore.

"I know this divorce will be hard for you."

"You were twenty when we started building a life together from nothing. Then you spent seven years as a full-time housewife. Your health isn’t good, and Joey is only ten…"

His words hit me hard. I didn’t want to say more.

"Does she know what you’re planning?"

Hugh looked certain of success, his voice indulgent. "No. I don’t want her to be seen as the other woman who broke up a marriage. So, Maya, let me go for love and freedom."

Hugh is still handsome. Time had left no trace on his face; it had only made him steadier and more mature.

He was still wearing the suit I’d ironed for him the night before.

The gold watch on his wrist was the one I just took in to be serviced.

He was wearing the citrus-scented cologne he’d specifically asked me to buy.

He looked polished and perfect, yet he was cold and heartless.

I smiled. "I understand."

A flash of relief and satisfaction crossed his eyes.

Then Hugh handed me the shirt draped over the sofa. "I got coffee on it. Remember to hand-wash it."

How ironic.

He always took it for granted that he could order me around, yet complained that I acted like a maid. In the end, he was leaving me for a younger woman.

After Hugh left, I took the phone from my apron pocket.

The screen showed that I was on a voice call with Mina Parker.

[After all this, do you still think I’m happy? Do you still believe Hugh will always love you?]

Mina was silent for a long time. Then her voice grew urgent and agitated.

"But why did you agree to the divorce?"

"I’m you from twenty years ago. We’re the same person, so isn’t it only natural that he’d fall for me?"

I didn’t answer. I ended the call.

Three months earlier.

Mina, me from eighteen years ago, had traveled through time.

When she saw me, she excitedly asked, "Did you and Hugh get married? Are you happy together?"

I didn’t know how to explain it then, so I made a bet with her.

We’d bet on Hugh’s feelings for me.

If she lost, she’d return to the past and never have anything more to do with Hugh.

But after she'd spent three months getting close to him, Hugh ended up falling for her and asking me for a divorce.

I quickly packed my things. Everything fit into one suitcase.

Ever since I’d become a housewife seven years ago, I’d sold every valuable piece of clothing and jewelry Hugh gave me.

Money was the only thing I could count on.

Just as I was about to leave, Joey came home.

His small face, so like Hugh’s, was set in a serious expression. A gold medal hung from his neck.

He’d been quiet for as long as I could remember.

Whenever Hugh and I argued, Joey would retreat to his room and shut the door.

I smiled at him. "The first! That’s amazing."

He glanced at my suitcase and paused, but then went upstairs without looking back.

As he passed me, I heard Joey place his gold medal on my suitcase.

In a soft, awkward voice, he said, "Mom, it’s your birthday present."

My breath caught.

My eyes began to sting.

When Hugh and I got married thirteen years ago, he held me and said, "From now on, your birthday will be our anniversary too.

"Those are two important dates to me. I’ll never forget them."

In the end, Joey was the only one who remembered.

Hugh had forgotten everything. His promises and love meant nothing.