Finding Freedom in Release

On Valentine's Day, my wife, Hailey Anderson, and her male secretary were both sent to the hospital.

The doctor said it was carbon monoxide poisoning. They were found naked and fainted in the car together.

Fortunately, the passers-by found them in time and saved their lives.

When I arrived at the hospital, I had a mixed feeling.

A message Hailey sent me an hour ago was still on my phone.

[Honey, I'll come home and spend Valentine's Day with you as soon as the meeting ends.

[Wait for me! I swear that I will give you an unforgettable surprise!]

——

"Sir, are you a relative of the patient?"

"Sir?"

I came back to my senses, took a deep breath, and said to the doctor, "I'm not her family member. I'm just an ordinary friend."

The doctor asked again, "Do you know any of her family?"

I wrote down Hailey's father's number and left the hospital.

When I got home, I buried myself on the sofa and smoked all night.

Hailey and I had known each other for nine years.

The first time we met was at the entrance ceremony of our college.

She was wearing a white dress and playing the piano on the stage.

She was as beautiful as an otherworldly fairy. She had won the hearts of many of her peers, including me.

I defeated all her pursuers and finally won her heart.

After graduating from college, we got married and became a couple envied by countless people.

I hid my identity as a rich second generation and used the funds given by my family to set up a company. I started from scratch with Hailey.

In just a few years, the business was booming.

However, the unexpected happened. I was diagnosed with a cardiac disease that I couldn't overwork myself. I could only let go of the company's affairs and stay at home to recuperate.

It was at this point that Mathew Rice appeared.

He was Hailey's high school classmate and was recruited as secretary.

After Mathew joined the company for three months, I keenly noticed a subtle change in Hailey.

She didn't have the habit of putting on makeup, but now she had to dress up carefully before going to work every day.

She had never liked to wear stockings and high heels, saying that the high heels made her uncomfortable. But now they became her daily necessities.

She even quietly changed her perfume.

When we were watching the TV shows together in the evening, she no longer snuggled up to me. Instead, she sat far away with her phone and would smile from time to time.

When I asked her what she was laughing at, and she would always brush me off.

Sex became a burden for her. What used to be four or five times a week had now become two or three times a month. And each time it was rushed and perfunctory without any romantic feelings.

When I asked her, she explained that she was too busy with work and was not in the mood.

Although I was confused, I didn't suspect her.

It wasn't easy for Hailey and me to get to where we were. I loved her deeply and was willing to do anything for her.

I thought it was the same for her.

That only death would do us part.

Hailey did give me a big "surprise" on Valentine's Day.

An unforgivable surprise.

I had thought that I would collapse, and be hysterical.

Instead, it was the complete opposite for me.

My heart was as calm as still water.

Hailey came back the next morning.

She was fully recovered, and she acted as if nothing had happened. When she smelled the odor of smoke in the living room, she frowned.

"Honey, why are you smoking again?" She asked.

As she opened the window to ventilate, she complained incessantly.

I used to be addicted to smoking, at least two packs a day.

I quit smoking after I decided to pursue Hailey.

Because she said that she didn't like the smell of cigarettes.

At that time, my roommate laughed at me and said, "I bet you can't."

I didn't expect that I would quit smoking completely for love.

They could only joke that simps were really powerful.

Hailey snatched the cigarette butt from my hand and stubbed it out.

Through the thin smoke, I looked at her beautiful profile and lit another cigarette.