Chapter 1

On our seventh wedding anniversary, I left work early to take my wife out for a surprise candlelit dinner.

Instead, she was standing at her first love's parents' funeral, giving a speech as if she were their daughter-in-law, promising to bear his children and carry on his family line.

When she saw me storming in, she simply waved it off, acting like she was just doing a small favor.

"Julian has no one left. I'm just helping him out."

"Don't be so immature. This is a solemn funeral, and you're really making this about your jealousy?"

I didn't even get mad. I just smiled.

"Congratulations. I hope you two stay together forever and get married as soon as possible."

Today was our seventh wedding anniversary. I had been planning this day for weeks.

I took a half-day off from work, booked a candlelit dinner, and waited at home to surprise her.

But when I got home, Chloe wasn't there.

Chloe claimed to be a modern, independent woman, but she quit her job right after we got married. We didn't have kids. A housekeeper came once a week, and I cooked all our meals.

On the rare occasions she got hungry and couldn't wait, she would order takeout. So usually, she was always home by this time.

The empty house already gave me my answer.

I opened Instagram, and sure enough, a mutual friend had just posted. Today was the funeral of Julian Fletcher's father.

Since it was a solemn, tragic event, I didn't want to make a scene. But today was our seventh anniversary.

For seven years, I had spoiled Chloe. But ever since Julian, her first love, came back into her life, everything changed.

I had spent weeks planning today—from the restaurant to the flowers, the venue, and even what I was going to say.

I wanted to use today to finally break the ice between us.

I was so anxious and torn that my hands were shaking when I arrived at the funeral home.

I told myself that no matter how thoughtless Chloe could be, she wouldn't forget our anniversary. Maybe she really was just helping out, just paying her respects.

But the moment I heard her speech, any hope I had left for this marriage completely died.

At the funeral, Chloe stood at the podium acting like his grieving wife, crying absolute rivers.

"I never expected him to pass so suddenly. I didn't even get the chance to be a proper daughter-in-law to him."

"Julian lost his mother early, and now his father is gone too. As the person closest to him, I promise to cherish and take care of him forever!"

Chloe sounded incredibly sincere. Anyone who didn't know the truth would have been deeply moved by her devotion.

We had been married for seven years and didn't have any children.

I was an orphan, so my biggest dream was having a warm, lively family of my own. But Chloe always read online articles about how "independent women shouldn't be tied down by kids."

She was terrified of pain, hated the idea of her body changing, and valued her freedom too much. She swore she would never have kids.

Yet here she was, at Julian's father's funeral, promising the whole world that she would carry on Julian's family legacy.

It was utterly pathetic.

Lost in her emotional speech, Chloe didn't even notice me walking in. She was staring at Julian with eyes full of deep, tender love.

"Julian has always been so alone. But it's okay now. I am the closest person he has left in this world, and I will protect him!"

Julian held her hand, and the two of them locked eyes as if they were the ones celebrating an anniversary.

I stood there like a clown, the unwanted third wheel.

When did things get this bad?

I couldn't understand how my devotion to her had turned into this.

If there was no answer, then so be it. I was done. I let go of all my hope.

I walked straight up to Chloe and Julian.

The two of them jumped, instantly looking guilty. They exchanged glances, clearly terrified that I was about to blow up.

I didn't shout. I didn't make a scene. Instead, I felt incredibly calm. I just smiled at them.

"I've been listening for a while, and honestly, I'm touched. You two really are perfect for each other."

"You have my blessing. I hope you stay together forever... Oh, and don't forget to have those babies soon!"