Chapter 1

Under the nurse's pitying gaze, I stumbled out of the hospital, clutching the fake marriage certificate in my hands.

That's when I realized everything was fake. The breakup four years ago was fake. Our five-year marriage was fake too.

In their love affair, I, the so-called husband, was the other man all along.

Just as I was on the verge of breaking down, Megan's video call came through.

She looked at me with deep affection through the screen.

"Honey, I'm heading to the airport to pick up a high-maintenance client today. Just thinking about it gives me a headache. I wish I could come home and cuddle with you right now."

She panned the camera around the car as she spoke. "There's no one else in the car. I'll come home to be with you once I settle the client."

She moved the camera quickly, but I still caught a glimpse of what was in the passenger seat.

It was the Patek Philippe watch I'd had my eye on at an auction preview, but a mysterious billionaire ended up outbidding me.

It was a matching pair to the one on Megan's wrist.

I wanted it, and Alan did too. Megan knew that.

When she noticed where I was looking, she shifted slightly to block my view and casually pulled out a cheap red string bracelet.

"Honey, I got a gift for you. I made it myself. It's very meaningful."

Long after the call ended, my future self let out a bitter laugh. "The so-called client she's picking up is Alan, and that bracelet is just a free gift that came with a necklace purchase.

"Henry, you're worthless."

I couldn't find a single word to defend myself as a wave of nausea washed over me.

The rain was pouring outside, but I walked slowly home down the street in the rain.

The shopping district was named after me. It was Megan's wedding gift to me.

She had recreated every landmark that held a special place in our memories along this street.

The hospital behind me commemorated the day we met.

When she was 12, she stabbed the director of our orphanage to death when he tried to assault me.

She was beaten half to death. I carried her on my back and begged in front of the hospital until they agreed to treat her.

The shopping mall on the left commemorated the day we fell in love.

When she was 18, she worked three jobs a day just to pay for my tuition. She had worked so hard that her shoes wore out, but she refused to replace them.

I secretly worked as a tutor for six months to buy her her first pair of high heels, and I finally built up the courage to confess my feelings.

Her eyes lit up that day. However, she pushed me out of the door right away.

"You idiot! I paid for your tuition so you don't end up rotting in the gutter with me. I'm stuck with the life I have, but you must live a better life."

When I told her I wanted a family with her, she immediately opened the door and hugged me.

"Fine. Be with me then. At least I'll never let you suffer."

Yet, the woman who said she'd never let me suffer cheated on me with my best friend of ten years in the first year of our marriage.

Just when I was almost ready to forgive her, I found out I wasn't even her legitimate husband, but just the other man all along.

Then, Megan's second video call came in. The camera only pointed at her, and her eyes were filled with affection for me.

"Honey, I'm going to be home late tonight. I'm just arranging a place for the client to stay. There's absolutely no other man here."

However, I caught their intertwined fingers at the corner of the frame. I didn't even have the strength to question her anymore. I just nodded quietly.

"It's fine. I trust you. You don't have to tell me all these things anymore."

The smile on Megan's face froze.

I hung up the phone without another word and told the driver, "I'm not going home. Take me to Oakridge Estates."

That place was the home we designed together before we got married. It was also the place where I had fallen into depression and tried to kill myself after Megan had cheated on me and had our baby aborted.

That was where my first child's ashes rested.

Since his mother didn't love him, I was going to take him with me and leave.

My future self heard me and sneered, "You really should go take a look. Otherwise, you'll never give up."