Until three in the morning, there was no sign of Shen Yifeng returning home.

I kept glancing at the door, and Lin Wan'er hadn't posted any new show-off posts on Instagram.

The only reasonable assumption was that they were caught up in a romantic evening.

With a bitter smile, I stood up and retrieved the portraits I had once painted of Shen Yifeng.

Looking at these artworks, which held so much of my heart and soul, I felt overwhelmed with sadness.

I remembered that after we got together, whenever I had free time, I would pick up my brush to capture his every expression—his joyful, animated brow and his thoughtful, slightly furrowed forehead.

I meticulously recorded his every move with my art.

I once believed that by doing this, I was the happiest person in the world.

But now...

The next day, I scheduled a delivery to send those portraits to Lin Wan'er in five days.

Since his heart had changed, these symbols of my affection should now be with the person he truly loves.

Just as I was about to burn the remaining paintings, he returned.

He called for me at the entrance, and I responded without pausing my actions.

Shen Yifeng walked into the room, almost dropping the cake he was holding when he saw what I was doing.

"Darling... " he rushed over, crouched down, and grasped my hand.

"What are you doing... ?"

I turned to look at him.

Shen Yifeng's face was pale, his eyes wide with shock.

I pulled my hand away gently and forced a smile.

"I suddenly wanted to try roasting marshmallows using these paintings as fuel. They say it gives them a unique aroma."

His hand froze in mid-air, disbelief filling his gaze.

He stammered, "Darling, don't joke around. These paintings are so precious."

I looked up at him, offering a faint smile.

"Precious? To me, they're just a pile of useless things now."

He anxiously insisted, "How can they be useless? Every stroke was drawn by you, capturing all our shared moments."

I continued lighting the paintings, watching the flames gradually consume them, speaking calmly, "There will be more unforgettable memories in the future."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yifeng finally relaxed and helped me onto the sofa.

"You're right, we'll have more unforgettable memories ahead."

He glanced at the remaining paintings on the floor.

"Let's have the maid clean these up. I brought you a cake, have some."

I looked at the exquisite cake in his hand, the sweet scent of cream lingering around my nose, but inside, I felt a knot of revulsion.

Imagining him with Lin Wan'er, the cake seemed like painful irony.

Shen Yifeng placed the cake on the table, trying to please me, "Honey, it's from your favorite bakery. I went out of my way to get it."

I forced a smile, "Thank you."

My voice was chilled like a winter's breath.

He fidgeted, rubbing his hands together, "Aren't you going to try it? It's your favorite."

Gazing at the cake, I took a deep breath and tried to suppress my disgust.

I had no energy to argue and replied blandly, "I'll have it later."

He seemed unsure, "What's wrong? Honey, is it that you don't like it anymore? I know yesterday was my fault, I…"

"No, I'm just tired, " I interrupted, heading to the bedroom.

Lying in bed, images of him and Lin Wan'er together kept flashing in my mind.

But I was too exhausted—too tired to argue or question.

Maybe when I have the strength, I'll confront him, but not now.

After a while, Shen Yifeng entered quietly, placing a cup of warm water by the bed and whispering, "Honey, have some water."

I faced away from him, remaining silent.

Listening to the soft sound of the door closing, tears flowed uncontrollably.

I lay there quietly, hearing Shen Yifeng moving around the living room, each step echoing in my heart.

As the night deepened, the moonlight seeped through the curtain gaps, casting mottled shadows on the floor.

I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Sensing my restlessness, Shen Yifeng gently opened the bedroom door, tiptoed to the bed, and carefully lay down beside me.

He reached out, trying to hold me, but I instinctively moved away.

His hand hung in the air for a moment before he slowly withdrew it. The room was silent, save for our breathing, the atmosphere suffocatingly tense.

"Darling, please don't be angry, " Shen Yifeng finally broke the silence, his voice cautious.

I didn't respond, keeping my eyes shut and pretending to be asleep.

He thought I hadn't heard and continued, "I know I might have ignored you recently, but it's because I've been so busy with work.

Please believe me, you're the only one in my heart."

His words made me feel sick.

Despite having cheated, he was still here spouting lies.

Seeing my lack of reaction, Shen Yifeng sighed softly.

He got out of bed, walked to the window, and stood there, gazing at the night outside.

The moonlight enveloped him, casting a silver glow over his silhouette.

I secretly opened my eyes, looking at his back.

Once so familiar and comforting, now it felt utterly alien.

After a long time, Shen Yifeng returned to bed.

This time, he didn't try to hold me, just lay quietly beside me.

I could feel his gaze resting on me.

But I never turned to meet his eyes.

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains, lighting up my face.

I slowly opened my eyes to find Shen Yifeng gone.

I went to the living room and found a note and breakfast on the dining table.

The note read, "Honey, I've gone to work. Remember to eat breakfast."

Staring at the note, I felt a mix of emotions.

I sat at the table, eating breakfast, each bite tasteless.

After finishing, I decided to find Lin Wan'er.

It was time for me to leave.

The afternoon sun lazily poured over the floor-to-ceiling windows of the café, casting a mosaic of shadows and light. I sat by the window, waiting for Lin Wan'er to arrive.

It wasn't long before a tall woman with impeccable makeup gracefully walked in.

Lin Wan'er wore an expensive dress, her face brimming with a smug smile, her eyes full of provocation.

She sat across from me, crossing her arms with a smirk and a voice sharp and cutting. "Oh, why did you want to see me? Have you finally decided to give Shen Yifeng to me?"

I looked at her quietly, my gaze as calm as still water.

"Yes, I am planning to leave Shen Yifeng, " I replied, my voice low and resolute.

Lin Wan'er was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes.

But she quickly regained her smug demeanor, covering her mouth as she laughed, her laughter piercing and shrill.

"Ha, just so you know, Shen Yifeng hasn't loved you for a long time. He loves me and our baby!"

I frowned slightly, a surge of disgust washed over me, but I held back my reaction.

Taking a deep breath, I struggled to maintain my composure.

"In that case, there's no need for me to hold on any longer. I hope things work out for you both."

Lin Wan'er snorted disdainfully, her eyes filled with mockery.

"We'll be just fine, thank you. But don't think for a second that you'll get a penny from Shen Yifeng's fortune. It's all for me and the child."

I allowed a faint smile to curve my lips.

"I don't care about that fortune. All I want is freedom, a chance to start anew."

Lin Wan'er widened her eyes, staring at me in disbelief.

"Are you crazy? That fortune is rightfully yours! You're just going to give it up so easily?"

I shook my head gently, a hint of weariness in my eyes.

"The wealth doesn't matter to me anymore.

I've lost too much in this marriage. It's time to find my true self again."

Lin Wan'er gazed at me, her eyes filled with confusion and incomprehension.

She seemed unable to fathom why I would make such a decision.

"You're a strange person. But it doesn't matter, Shen Yifeng is mine now."

I looked at her smug attitude, feeling no anger, only overwhelming disappointment. Once, I thought Shen Yifeng was my lifelong partner, someone I would walk through life with.

But now, everything has changed.

"Congratulations, you've finally got what you wanted, " I said, my voice flat and cold, as if recounting someone else's story.

Lin Wan'er laughed triumphantly, caressing her belly with both hands.

"Thank you. Once the baby is born, we will be a happy family of three."

I watched her silently, a whirlwind of emotions churning inside me.

I had once dreamed of having a child with Shen Yifeng, watching them grow, building a beautiful future together.

But now, all of that has vanished like a mirage.

"I hope you will be happy, " I said softly, a faint hint of blessing in my eyes.

Lin Wan'er glanced at me dismissively.

"Save your fake concern. Do you think I'll be grateful just because you said that?"

I ignored her ridicule, sitting quietly and looking out the window.

Everyone was caught up in their own worlds on the street, each busy with their own lives.

And I, too, needed to begin my life anew.

"Oh, make sure to keep Shen Yifeng away from me these days, " I said as I stood up, straightening my clothes with a look of determination and composure.

Lin Wan'er watched me, her face full of smugness. "You don't need to worry. Shen Yifeng will be with me, after all, I'm the one he loves now."

I didn't respond, simply turning and walking towards the door.

The sunlight bathed me, and in that moment, I felt a newfound sense of ease and freedom.

I returned home, feeling as if my soul had left my body.

Collapsing onto the sofa, I stared blankly at the ceiling.

Images of Lin Wan'er, with her smug and arrogant demeanor, kept replaying in my mind.

Each image felt like a sharp blade, piercing my heart.

The silence in the room was eerily oppressive, only broken by the ticking of the wall clock.

It felt as if my world had come to a standstill, leaving behind only endless pain and confusion.

I don't know how much time had passed when the sound of the door lock turning shattered the silence.

Shen Yifeng entered, weary from a long day's work.

When he saw me curled up on the sofa, his previously dull eyes suddenly lit up, as if finding a glimmer of light in the darkness.

He approached me quietly, crouching down gently, as if afraid to disturb a sleeping butterfly.

His voice was low and tender, like a soft whisper of spring:

"Honey, why are you sitting here alone without turning on the light? Is something on your mind?"

As he spoke, he reached out and softly turned on the living room light.

The warm glow filled the room, yet it couldn't dispel the gloom in my heart.

I weakly lifted my eyelids, forcing a smile that was more like a grimace.

"It's nothing, I'm just a bit tired."

My voice was hoarse, as if coming from another world, as I leaned feebly against the sofa.

Shen Yifeng looked at me with a pained expression, his eyes filled with concern and self-reproach.

He reached out, intending to touch my forehead, but I instinctively dodged.

His hand paused mid-air, a flicker of hurt crossing his eyes before being replaced by gentleness.

He sat up straight again, gently holding my hand.

These hands, once a source of comfort and security, now felt foreign and unwelcome.

His voice trembled with guilt, "Love, have I been too caught up with work lately and neglected you?

Please don't be mad at me.

Once I finish this pile of work, I won't go anywhere. I'll stay home and be with you.

We can watch movies, go shopping, do anything you like."

As he spoke, he softly caressed the back of my hand, his eyes full of sincerity and hope, like a repentant child, yearning for forgiveness.

Looking at his earnest expression, my heart was a tumultuous mix of emotions.

Once, I loved this man deeply. His every smile, every word of concern could make my day.

But now, he had another woman outside, and they even had a child.

Burying my pain and anger deep inside, I said calmly, "No need.

Just focus on your work. I can take care of myself."

Shen Yifeng frowned deeply, a hint of urgency in his eyes.

Suddenly, he stood up, looking at me with a mix of worry and helplessness.

After a moment, he moved back to my side, crouching down again.

He held my shoulders firmly, looking at me with determination.

"Yuyou, don't say that. No matter how important work is, it can't compare to you.

I know I haven't been attentive enough lately. It's my fault.

If there's anything bothering you, just let it out on me.

Don't keep it to yourself. It hurts me to see you like this."

His voice was choked, tears glistening in his eyes.

Seeing his pained expression, my heart ached.

I shook off his hands, saying, "I said there's no need. Leave me be, let me have some peace."

Shen Yifeng sighed helplessly, his eyes filled with sorrow and helplessness.

He stood up quietly, moving to the other side of the sofa, sitting silently, accompanying me without a word.

The room fell into silence, with only the sound of our breathing intertwining in the air.

I gazed out at the night, my mind a tumult of thoughts.