My Husband Abandoned Our Dinner for His Mistress

On our fifth wedding anniversary, I stumbled upon plane tickets to the Alps tucked away in Grayson's drawer. I thought he was planning a surprise for me, but by evening, all I got was a straightforward comment about his upcoming business trip.

Unable to sleep that night, I scrolled through Instagram and stumbled upon a post from his first love: "After seven years of dreaming about watching the sunrise over the Alps with my true love, the universe finally answered." The accompanying picture showed Grayson and Tiana kissing at the summit.

I didn't make a scene or bombard him with messages for explanations. After pursuing him for so many years, I was worn out. I opened Nathaniel Owens's chat and told him I was ready to accept the transfer to Australia.

When Grayson came back, I was in the midst of packing my suitcase. He paused, "Esme, where are you going?"

"On a business trip."

"Oh, here's your fifth-anniversary gift." Grayson handed me a women's watch, the same model I’d admired in a magazine before. "I was so busy the day before yesterday, I forgot to give it to you," he explained, fastening it around my wrist. "Do you like it?"

"Thank you. It’s beautiful." I continued packing my clothes into the suitcase. Grayson appeared taken aback, as though he had expected the usual barrage of questions and demands for a satisfactory explanation.

I had always thought that confronting Grayson's infidelity would unravel me. On our anniversary, discovering those two tickets to the Alps filled me with excited anticipation. Visiting the Alps was a plan we had made for our honeymoon but postponed due to his work commitments. I assumed Grayson wanted to surprise me. I even bought roses and decorated the house, waiting for his return.

But when he came home, he barely acknowledged me and headed straight to the bedroom. After packing his things, he simply said, “There’s a last-minute company arrangement, I need to take a trip,” and left, taking the tickets along.

It hit me that he never intended for us to travel together. He had completely forgotten our anniversary. As I looked at the decorations, they felt like a harsh joke. I sat by the window, worn out, gazing at the moonlight.

By six in the morning, sleep still eluded me. I opened Instagram again and saw a picture of Tiana Rodriguez. The location tag read the Alps. Her caption read, "After seven years, my dream of watching the sunrise with my love is finally a reality." The photo was of her kissing Grayson at the summit.

My phone slipped from my grasp. So Grayson was there with Tiana. That’s the reality, isn’t it?

I sat in the living room, lost in thought until the afternoon. “Why does the living room smell like coffee?” Grayson asked as he passed through.

“I didn’t expect you back.” I had avoided coffee for years because he disliked the smell, even substituting it with tea during business dinners. But after seeing that photo, I no longer cared to accommodate.

I closed the suitcase, planning to pack the remaining items before leaving. Rising, I stretched my cramped legs and walked into the living room.

Grayson grabbed my wrist, his emotions mixed. “Esme, are you really just going to leave?”

“What else would I do?” I asked, bewildered. Should I continue running baths for him after his long days?

As I sat on the living room sofa, Nathaniel’s message came through. “Esme, I’ve known you for years. I have to ask again, are you sure about transferring to Australia?”

“I know you’ve turned it down many times for Grayson’s sake, so I just want to double-check.”

I chuckled softly, “I’m sure. I’m moving to Australia.”

“Don’t worry, Nathaniel. This time I’m truly determined.”

A year ago, the company opened a branch in Australia, leaving the director position vacant. Nathaniel had urged me repeatedly to seize the opportunity, promising a promotion and a doubled salary. I was tempted, but Grayson held me back.

His mother had abandoned him for America when he was young, and his father, after starting a new family, had neglected him. At ten, he moved next door with his grandmother. It was Thanksgiving, and he sat on the doorstep waiting for someone.

Seeing the small, lonely boy, I felt a pang of sympathy and offered him a warm spiced honey cake, “Can you keep me company? Playing alone is no fun.”

He hesitated before accepting, his eyes lighting up. We wandered the neighborhood together, and I noticed the slight smile on his face.

From then on, I consistently invited him over until his grandmother returned from work. Those lonely years of his youth, I tried to fill with companionship.

We went to college in different cities, and Grayson cut off all contact. Until one evening, I saw him under the streetlight back home. The world seemed to pause around us.

“Esme, long time no see.”

“Long time no see.”

As I fumbled for words, he leaned in to kiss me. My heart raced, echoing in the silent night.

After a moment, he pulled back and looked into my eyes, “Esme Knight, will you be my girlfriend?”

Before I knew it, I blurted out, “Yes.”

I was embarrassed by my impulsive response. But he knew I’d always had a crush on him. He was playing it just right.

And so, we married soon after. But when I first mentioned my potential overseas transfer, he fell silent for a long time. That night, he drank in front of me for the first time, his eyes red as he whispered, “Esme, are you leaving me too…?”

I didn’t want to remind him of his painful past, so I declined all offers. But in the end, it was me who was left behind.

I looked at the moon outside, feeling my heart slowly fracture.

Nathaniel sensed something was wrong, cautiously asking, “Did something happen with Grayson?”

I didn’t reply, accepting it as confirmation.

After a long pause, he messaged again, “Reflect on the past, but focus on the future. Just be yourself, Esme.”

“The ticket’s booked for the end of the month. You have a month to rest up.”