Chapter 2

Not long after Sharon left, her severely depressed lover, Aaron, updated his social media.

He posted a photo of the two of them kissing, with a caption that read: "Wifey says my lips are soft and sweet, a hundred times better to kiss than her ex-husband’s! Wifey says my waist..."

I only read the beginning before quietly exiting the app. I also gave Aaron a nickname: Mr. Hundred Times.

Thinking about it, it was actually ridiculous. He was the one Sharon always held closest to her heart. Why was he competing with a loser like me?

He probably was not depressed at all. His brain was more likely broken.

Of course, the absurdity did not stop there. Mr. Hundred Times even messaged me privately, sending over a naked photo covered in kiss marks.

"Lucas, when she was with you, was she this inconsiderate, too? It hurts so much. I’m about to be completely drained."

A wave of goosebumps ran over my skin. I replied to him: "I can tell. Tell her to be careful not to snap you in half."

This was not me being sharp-tongued. He really was built like a twig. Those skinny arms and legs looked like they could break at any moment.

Just a few minutes later, Sharon’s call came through. She exploded into curses in her hometown twang. I did not understand a single word.

After a long silence, I tested the waters. "Can you say it again in normal English?"

The other end went quiet as well. "Lucas Reed, don’t test my patience."

I understood instantly. "Then, shall we go to the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow? It’s a bit late now. They’re already closed."

She gave no response and hung up.

When I called back, I found myself blocked. I let out a sigh.

She had always been like this. The moment she got angry, she blocked me.

In the past, I would have abandoned all dignity out of love, clinging shamelessly to beg for her forgiveness. Now, I could not care less.

Seven years with Sharon had exhausted both my body and my mind.

How had we ended up like this?

Back then, she had been the one who pursued me. At that time, her gentleness and those eyes full of love were meant for me alone. We struggled together, moving from a basement apartment into a grand villa.

Later, Sharon’s heart began to wander. She wanted me to return home to take care of her seriously ill parents. On the other hand, she used work as an excuse to stay away from home for half a month at a time.

It was not that I had no complaints. I loved her too much and truly could not lose her.

As long as she did not cross any fundamental lines, I was willing to turn a blind eye and muddle through life together.

Unfortunately, Sharon failed to hold the line.

After Aaron returned to the country, the two of them quickly rekindled their old relationship.

Endless arguments followed, until we grew sick of even looking at each other. Every time we fought, she was in the wrong. That was when she would deliberately choose the most vicious words to wound me.

She despised me for living off her, saying I was useless and could not help with the company at all. She forgot that all the connections she had were earned back then, glass by glass, when I drank myself into them.

After countless arguments, I brought up divorce. She hugged me instead and promised to make up a wedding for me.

When we got married, we were poor. We could not afford a wedding. That day, Sharon cried as she swore that once she made it big, she would give me the wedding of a lifetime.

When she finally became rich enough, she had the means but not the intention. When she mentioned it again, my heart stirred despite itself.

Every stitch and detail of the wedding had to pass through me. I would not allow even the smallest flaw.

In the end, she still destroyed everything.

I knew it then. My heart would never beat for her again.