Chapter 1

Late at night, the high school alumni Snapchat group suddenly blew up.

Someone had too much to drink and started a poll.

[If you could bring one high school couple back together, who would it be?]

In less than a minute, the votes were almost completely one-sided.

[Serena and Ethan]

Messages flooded the chat.

"It was such a tragedy they broke up."

"If it weren't for that misunderstanding, they’d probably have a kid in elementary school by now."

"Even after all these years, I still think they are soulmates."

Just then, Serena, who had been silent for years, finally appeared.

She replied with only one sentence.

"Sometimes, missing someone for a moment means regretting it for a lifetime."

The group chat instantly exploded with teasing emojis.

But I slowly put my phone down.

Because the man they were calling her "lifetime regret" was currently sleeping right next to me.

Ethan Vance.

My husband.

And a man who had never loved me in our seven years of marriage.

The notifications on my screen kept flashing.

[Serena, are you staying for good this time?]

Serena replied quickly: [Yes, I’m back for good.]

That single sentence set the group chat on fire again.

[Why isn't Ethan in this chat? Does anyone know if he has a girlfriend right now???]

[He’s a billionaire CEO now. He’s so busy every day, and there’s never been any gossip about him! He definitely doesn't have a girlfriend!]

[Wait, why did they break up in the first place?]

[Serena went to Europe to study, and Ethan stayed. He didn't want a long-distance relationship.]

[Oh my god, now Serena came back, does that mean they still have a chance?]

Serena didn't confirm or deny it.

A few seconds later, she sent a smiling emoji.

[If it’s meant to be, we’ll meet again.]

The chat filled up with flower and applause emojis.

I quietly exited Snapchat and locked my phone.

Beside me, Ethan was fast asleep.

In our seven years of marriage, he had always been like this.

Calm, restrained, and polite.

He remembered every anniversary. He transferred money into our joint account on time every month. He accompanied me to visit my family.

But he didn't love me.

Just as I was about to turn off the nightstand lamp.

His phone suddenly lit up.

A new message popped up on his screen.

[I'm back.]

There was no contact name saved.

But I recognized the sender instantly.

It was Serena.

I turned my head to look at Ethan.

His breathing was steady. He didn't wake up.

His long, elegant hand rested gently on my waist, just like it did every night.

The wedding band on his ring finger pressed cold against the back of my hand.

It was so cold it made my chest ache.

My fingertips hovered over his phone.

All I had to do was enter his passcode, and I could see their chat history.

But a second later, I pulled my hand back.

Ethan never hid his phone from me.

Because he knew I would never spy on him.

And because I knew.

Even if I saw something, it wouldn't change a thing.

Back in high school, I had seen with my own eyes how deeply he loved Serena.

Once, a girl from a lower grade secretly handed him a love letter.

Serena ignored him for a whole day.

After school, he chased her across half the football field. He stuffed his phone into her hands, a helpless smile on his face.

"Are you jealous?"

"I already rejected her friend request."

"If you don't believe me, you can check my chats. Delete whoever you want."

Back then, Ethan only had eyes for one person.

But now.

He had locked all his warmth away.

Dawn was just breaking.

Before the alarm could ring, Ethan woke up.

Almost instinctively, he reached for his phone on the nightstand.