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.