1 My coworker, thinking it was a hilarious prank, slapped a parking ticket onto my car and snapped a photo, texting me that I'd been cited. Believing him, I logged onto the DMV's online portal to check. What greeted me, instead, was a high-definition photo captured by the traffic camera system just yesterday. In the shot, Chloe's ex-boyfriend, Liam, sat in the passenger seat, unbuckled, leaning across the console to kiss her cheek. I stared, stunned, at the bright, radiant smile on her face – a smile I'd never once seen directed at me. It was then, in that brutal flash of clarity, that I finally understood: this one-sided devotion, this fervent, lonely love, it was time to let it go. Silently, I handled the ticket. Alone, I attended her ailing grandfather's funeral, a final, solitary send-off. I drafted the divorce papers, sealing them in an envelope, and mailed them to her company. From this day forward, I would be my own man, navigating my own path, unburdened by her shadow. ... My best friend, Tyler, wasted no time. The moment he heard, he was there, a whirlwind of frantic concern. "What the hell happened with you and Chloe? Is she cheating on you?" My eyes, bloodshot and stinging, managed a pathetic, twisted smile. Ten years of chasing, of looking up to her, had only bought me a marriage of polite formality with Chloe. I’d mistaken that distant respect for happiness. Today, it was brutally shattered by a single photograph. Marrying me, Chloe had, in the end, only constrained herself. Tyler, seeing my broken state, felt a surge of frustrated anger. "I told you she wasn't good for you, Alex! You never listened, always barreling headfirst down this path. It's for the best, honestly. Every time I saw you pathetically chasing after her, it just made my blood boil!" "Professor Miller has an international project needing a liaison; maybe you should consider it?" I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth, managing a choked "Mmm." It was then I realized the tears were flowing freely, uncontrollably. I frantically searched for tissues, but Tyler just sighed. "Don't hold it in, man. Just cry." Overwhelmed by a sudden, profound sense of injustice, I finally crumbled, sinking to the floor, my head buried in my hands, sobbing. After driving me home, Tyler left, called away by some urgent matter. I rang Professor Miller, asking about the project's details, and quickly realized I was perfectly capable of handling it. Without a second thought, I agreed. Departure date: one week. All necessary company handovers could be completed online. Washing my face, I caught my reflection in the mirror: a haggard, bitter-looking stranger. For the first time, I felt a wave of self-loathing. As my thoughts swirled, my phone buzzed. "Alex, would you mind dropping off a black suit dress at my office? Thanks!" Chloe's voice, as polite and distant as ever. Out of habit, I agreed. It was only after she hung up that the words sank in, chilling me. A brief moment of hesitation, but ultimately, I didn't call back to refuse. Chloe often worked late, rarely coming home. This was as good a time as any to pick up the divorce papers. When I arrived, Liam was leaning close to Chloe, both engrossed in a computer screen. His breath brushed lightly against her face. She looked at him, her eyes soft, her lips moving in a whispered word. Then her gaze flickered to me, her expression hardening, the tender light in her eyes dissolving into cool indifference. A look of reproach settled on her face. "What took you so long?" Liam, with a placating smile, reached out to take the clothes. "Thanks for making the trip, Alex. Chloe's a bit stressed with her team, so her tone might be sharp. Don't mind her." He carried himself with the air of a homeowner, as if I were the shameful intruder. Had this been five years ago, when he first returned from abroad to be Chloe's assistant, I would have exploded, demanding answers. Now, I merely asked, my voice flat, "Have you signed the papers?" Chloe raised a delicate eyebrow, letting Liam finish adjusting her collar. "Signed what?" "Alright, Chloe, let's go. We're running out of time." Liam's voice cut in, clearly annoyed by our interaction. She gave a slight nod, tossing a curt instruction my way. "We'll talk about this later, at home." They walked out, one after the other. Liam, trailing behind, turned back to look at me, a triumphant, unconcealed smirk playing on his lips. I ignored him, searching his desk for the divorce papers, finding no trace of them. My hand brushed the mouse, and the computer screen lit up. What flashed across the screen was a photo of Chloe and Liam, leaning against a railing by the sea, gazes locked, filled with a profound tenderness. A closeness I'd never experienced with her. I stumbled out of the office, clutching my car keys, a broken man. Back home, I sank to the floor behind the door, tears streaming down my face once more. Letting go was harder than I'd imagined. But it was alright. One day, I would meticulously, painfully, uproot Chloe from my heart. Scrolling through videos to distract myself, a "people you might know" notification popped up. I meant to swipe past it, but my finger slipped, opening Liam's profile. His latest video was from a funeral. The caption read: "In these tough times, glad I have you by my side." The deceased was merely a distant uncle of Liam's. Chloe stood beside him, presenting herself as his lover. Watching her doting, attentive presence in the video, it hit me: Chloe wasn't always too swamped to spare a moment. Back then, at our own wedding, she'd walked out halfway, citing urgent work. How little she must have cared. Her hesitant, apologetic look, I'd mistaken for guilt. I'd even gently reassured her it was fine. Thinking back now, it was laughable. Perhaps even then, she'd already regretted it. 2 That night, Chloe, true to form, didn't come home. Yet, the very next day, at the university's Founders' Day celebration, I saw her. Hand in hand with Liam, they ascended the stage to present a donation. Hearing her shamelessly introduce Liam to the host as "the most important person in my life," I felt a sudden, bitter relief that when we married, I'd respected Chloe's wish for a low-key ceremony and hadn't invited a single classmate. As if sensing my presence, she turned and looked out into the audience, our eyes locking. A faint frown creased her brow, but her hand remained tightly clasped in Liam's. I lowered my head, the bitterness a tangible weight, and turned away, walking towards the grassy expanse by Unity Lake. Soon, footsteps sounded behind me. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming to the celebration? I would've picked you up." No mention of holding hands, no explanation, no hint of panic at being caught. I laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "Is there even room for me in your car anymore?" Chloe rubbed her temples, feigning exasperation. "Alex, do you have to be so aggressive? What happened to the considerate, sensible man you used to be?" Used to be? What was I like before? I was the one who saw her as a goddess, pulling me from the depths of despair. I laughed when she laughed. I worried when she worried. My entire being revolved around her. I'd lost myself, lost my purpose, all to follow in her footsteps. The truth was, if Chloe had just told me she wanted to be with Liam, I would have willingly stepped aside. This marriage, after all, had been her impulsive decision, born from a desire to spite him after their breakup. I, the silent admirer, had seen it all clearly, yet still plunged into that abyss willingly. Now that their old flame had rekindled, she should be desperate for me to leave. But this evasiveness... I couldn't understand it. "Chloe, there you are!" Liam's voice chimed, his polished leather shoes making soft thuds as he approached from behind her. He paused, looking at me with feigned surprise. "Alex, you're here too?" As he spoke, he moved to stand in front of Chloe, casually adjusting her collar. "The university president wants a photo with you. Shall we go?" Chloe glanced at me, seeing no response. She gave a quick, almost worried instruction: "Wait for me, we'll leave together later." "Didn't you forget about your meeting? I'm afraid Alex will have to take a taxi home," Liam cut in, a seemingly apologetic smile on his face as he looked at me. Chloe hesitated. Then, Liam cried out, "Snake!" Chloe instantly pushed me away, scrambling to pull Liam onto the paved path, panic etched on her face. I, standing so close to the lake's edge, was shoved straight into the water. The summer water of Unity Lake should have been warm. Instead, it was icy, seeping into my bones, a chilling cold. Through the shimmering surface, I met Chloe's gaze—guilty and panicked. She rushed toward me, but I pulled myself onto the bank before she could reach me. "Alex, I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking." I smiled, a hollow, bitter smile. "It's fine. I'm used to it." Without a moment's hesitation, I turned my back on her, my body and soul soaked, and walked away. Chloe's hands, clenched at her sides, trembled slightly. For the first time, she felt me so close, yet impossibly distant. She wanted to chase after me, to grab me and demand answers, but she couldn't bring herself to leave Liam. She only sent a text: "Go home first. I'll explain later." I let out a soft, derisive scoff. Explain what? Explain why she instinctively protected Liam? Or why she pushed me into the lake? Whatever it was, I didn't want to hear it. I was sick of her self-serving excuses. That night, Chloe, her mind swirling with questions, came home early. Seeing the cold, empty kitchen, and me ordering takeout, a strange sense of calm settled over her. "Is this how you take care of yourself when I'm not home?" she said, her voice laced with feigned concern. "Maybe we should hire a housekeeper. All this housework, it'll wear you out. It breaks my heart." My hand, holding the chopsticks, paused. What a thoughtful, wonderful woman! She had always used these seemingly caring words to make me believe she'd fallen for me over time, binding me tighter and tighter to her. But a lie, no matter how convincing, is still a lie. I wiped my mouth and spoke slowly. "Let's get a divorce." 3 Chloe froze for a second. Then, a helpless smile played on her lips. "Still playing games, huh?" she said, her voice gently coaxing as she reached to touch my head. "Liam and I are history. We're the couple now; you have to trust your wife." She added, "I'm a little hungry. Could you make me something to eat?" It was an obvious olive branch, an invitation to return to our old routine. But I didn't take it. "You make it yourself." Perhaps it was the first time I'd ever refused her, and she seemed unaccustomed to it. Without intending to explain further, I turned, sidestepping her, and started towards the bedroom. She grabbed my arm, her grip firm. "Alex, are you not feeling well?" Her tone was still gentle, making me feel even more like the irrational one. At my breaking point, I lashed out. "What if I'm not? Do you honestly care, after five years of marriage?" "We're husband and wife. If I don't care about you, who do I care about?" "Then tell me," I challenged, "when's my birthday?" Chloe's mouth opened slightly, then closed, speechless. How could she possibly know? It was like the time I'd bought a cake and put it in front of her, and she'd simply assumed I just happened to want cake! "But you know Liam's!" Tears streamed down my face. I expected her to explode in anger or frantically try to explain her relationship with Liam. But she didn't. She just sighed, a weary, helpless sound. "You need to cool down. I'll be working late at the office tonight!" Always the same. Every time I wanted to confront her, she'd retreat with an excuse about "working late." Chloe was a master of passive aggression, cloaked in a veil of polite distance. I couldn't take it anymore. I snatched the TV remote and hurled it at her. She didn't react fast enough; it struck her forehead, leaving a faint red mark. Her eyes slowly ignited with fury. "Alex, there's a limit to how unreasonable you can be." She slammed the door shut, leaving behind a profound silence and my own shattered self. In a valley with no echo, shouting further would only exhaust me more. I slid to the floor, my gaze sweeping across our wedding photo on the wall, laughing and crying all at once. I don't know how much time passed before, in a daze, I heard my phone ring. I pressed accept, and Chloe's furious voice blasted through the speaker. "Alex, get over here and control your friend!" Hearing Tyler's name, I hung up and rushed frantically to The Metropolitan Bistro. The moment I stepped through the door, I saw Liam, clutching his bruised mouth, leaning weakly into Chloe's embrace. Tyler was being restrained by waiters, his face contorted in a silent roar of frustration. I quickly rushed to his side to calm him down. Chloe didn't spare me a glance, her face dark with anger. "Tyler, don't think I won't touch you just because you're Alex's friend. Apologize to Liam, now." "Pfft, don't you dare accuse me, you shameless woman!" Tyler spat back. "I did want to punch him, hard, but I never got the chance!" Chloe's face turned ashen, then her fury erupted, aimed squarely at me. "Alex, what kind of nonsense have you been feeding her? I told you, Liam and I are just friends! Are you deaf?" She continued, "Today, neither of you are leaving until you apologize to Liam." "Fine!" I said, my voice cutting through the tension. "But first, let's have the restaurant manager check the surveillance footage." Tyler's eyes lit up. Liam, however, suddenly looked wounded. He started stalling, "Forget it, Chloe. I didn't realize Alex misunderstood me so deeply. Maybe you should just stay away from me from now on!" With that, he dramatically stormed out, Chloe rushing after him in a panic. Before leaving, she threw one last threat over her shoulder: "Alex, if anything happens to Liam, I'm not done with you." My nose stung, and my head bowed in silent pain. 4 Tyler scoffed, an unamused sound. "Want me to go chase him down and kick him a couple of times?" A sliver of light pierced through my gloom, and I managed a wry smile. After dinner with Tyler, I headed home. But at my doorstep, I found Chloe, utterly drunk, clinging to Liam, refusing to let go. Her mumbled words, like a child's pouty questions, were barely audible: "Why can't you just be more understanding?" Liam, his lips pressed together, looked faintly wronged. Seeing me appear, his expression shifted. He deliberately leaned in, giving Chloe a light, feathery kiss on the lips. His voice, soothing and soft, held a distinct edge of provocation for me: "Don't worry, Chloe. From now on, I'll listen to everything you say." Watching their undignified entanglement, my old self would have ripped Chloe from his arms and cursed him for his shamelessness. But now, I simply, mechanically, pulled out my keys and opened the door, not sparing them even a sidelong glance. Liam's mocking smirk froze, as if he couldn't believe I hadn't reacted. Yet, I didn't look back. I let him carry Chloe into the living room and settle her onto the sofa. He, emboldened, continued to push my boundaries. As he finished his charade and moved to stand, he feigned a stumble, a soft cry escaping his lips, and collapsed onto Chloe. Her eyes still closed, Chloe instinctively wrapped her arms around him, a drunken mumble escaping her lips: "Stop messing around!" Liam looked up at me, as I was about to enter my room, and theatrically struggled, softly coaxing, "Chloe, don't do this. It wouldn't look good for Alex to see." Hearing him, Chloe tightened her embrace. "Alex? Which Alex?" With a drunken roll, she pressed her lips firmly against Liam's. Listening to the unbearable sounds from outside, I stood in my room, my heart bleeding, even though I'd already decided to leave. Chloe, did you two have to be so utterly desperate? Well, perhaps this just made it easier for me to cut all ties. Thirsty, I went to the kitchen for water. Moments later, Liam appeared, his clothes disheveled, his mouth swollen, a smug glint in his eyes. "Look at you, all disheveled and unkempt. No wonder I left for five years and you still couldn't capture Chloe's heart. If I were you, I'd be so ashamed I'd just kill myself." "Then go ahead," I retorted, my voice dripping with scorn. "Being the other man is far more pathetic." His face instantly flushed with enraged humiliation. He grabbed the full glass of hot water sitting nearby and splashed it at me. I swiftly shielded my face with my hand, but most of the scalding water hit my neck. A large patch of skin turned red, stinging fiercely. Even the meekest soul has a breaking point. Blinded by fury, I lunged forward, raising my hand and landing a solid punch on his face. I was about to strike again when a drunken Chloe suddenly stumbled between us, shielding Liam, her face contorted in rage, glaring at me. I froze for a few seconds, then a sharp, stinging slap exploded across my face. The burning sensation from my neck spread to my cheek. "Alex, you disappoint me so much! Why do you keep targeting Liam? Are you even a man?" After that day, Chloe vanished. I gathered all my belongings that couldn't be carried easily and sold them off at a secondhand market. During this time, I tried calling Chloe to discuss the divorce papers, but she only sent a cold text in return: "Liam's in the hospital because of you. If you can't admit your mistake and genuinely apologize, don't contact me again." On the day of my flight, Tyler's eyes were red, trying hard to hold back tears. I smiled, reassuring him. I walked confidently towards a brand-new future. From this day forward, I would be my own man, navigating my own path. I would live for myself. Before turning off my phone, I sent one last message to Chloe. "The divorce papers have been mailed to your company. Please sign them as soon as possible. Thank you."
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