Lucas' words stirred something in me. For a brief moment, the pain and doubt I felt inside seemed to lessen slightly.

After we got into the car, he suddenly frowned and said, "I think I left something in the store. Wait here. I'll be right back."

With that, he quickly got out and walked back into the shop.

Later, once we were home, I went to check the pocket of the suit where I had found the phone earlier. Sure enough, it was gone.

The image of him smiling at the clerk came to mind, along with the warm compliments about what a loving couple we were. That scene kept replaying in my head.

I stood there in a daze, the bitterness in my chest slowly settling. I quietly told myself that maybe this was all just a one-sided crush on Serena's end.

After dinner, Lucas suddenly set down his fork and said, "I have to work late tonight at the observatory. I need to observe a star that's quite rare."

I frowned and looked at him in puzzlement. "I didn't hear your phone go off. And don't they usually notify you in advance? Why so sudden this time?"

He froze for a split second. Then, he smiled and gave a perfunctory excuse. "It's an urgent observation that's kind of a last-minute assignment."

I nodded without pushing further.

That night, the weather forecast announced a drop in temperature. Upon seeing it, I recalled that Lucas wasn't dressed warmly when he went out. I hesitated for a moment before deciding to drive to the observatory and bring him some clothes.

When I arrived at the parking lot, my phone buzzed unexpectedly.

It was a message from Serena.

Just seeing her name on the screen made my heart jolt. I remembered how she had once playfully complained to me that Lucas refused to give her his personal number.

"What if something happens and I can't reach him?" she had said, feigning innocence.

Back then, Lucas had said with a laugh, "Like anything would happen. Don't let her intrude on our private time."

Still, out of politeness, I had exchanged numbers with her in the end.

After a moment's hesitation, I tapped the message open.

In the video, Serena was wearing a striking red dress. The straps were barely clinging to her shoulders. Her posture was seductive, and her face glowed with a smug smile.

Standing beside her was Lucas.

His coat was off, and his tie hung loosely around his neck. Several buttons on his shirt were undone, revealing his collarbone. His eyes were half-closed. He looked tired, yet completely at ease.

The camera slowly panned as Serena deliberately brushed her fingers across the necklace around her neck.

It was a star-shaped pendant—one I knew too well.

She fiddled with it playfully, and her smile turned triumphant, like she was silently showing off her ownership over my husband at that moment.

I clutched my phone so tightly that I could feel the heat of the device vividly against my palm. However, my whole body felt frigid all over.

I instinctively wanted to run and flee from the unbearable truth. But the anger and heartbreak stabbed so deep that I couldn't bring myself to turn away.

Enduring the torture and turmoil, I forced myself to walk toward the observatory doors.

They were slightly ajar. I held my breath to press close and listen through the gap.

Serena's cloying and clingy voice came from inside. She teased coyly, "Professor Thorne, you seem to especially like seeing me in red."

Lucas' voice followed, low and tinged with slight exasperation. "Keep it down... Someone might stumble upon us."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Serena drawled, her tone deliberately sulky. "It's so late. No one's around."

I felt like I was sucker-punched in the chest. I leaned against the wall with my nails digging into my palm. I almost cried out in anguish, but I forced myself to choke back the fury and humiliation rising in my throat.

I didn't know how much time had passed before the sky started to lighten.

When the noises inside finally died down, I walked back to the car in a hazy stupor. With trembling hands, I reached for the necklace at my neck and yanked it off. I felt the cool metal of the pendant in my palm.

The pendant that symbolized eternal love became the brand of his betrayal. I gripped it so tightly it nearly cut into my skin.

With shaky fingers, I called my parents, who were far away in Mordeva.

"Wilma, what's wrong?"

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice from breaking. "Dad, Mom, I want to come stay with you for a while."

There was a brief silence on the other end before Mom spoke up with concern. "Isn't your seventh anniversary with Lucas coming up? Shouldn't you stay with him for that special occasion?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "That won't be necessary."

After hanging up, I booked my flight.

At dawn, Lucas pushed open the door to our house and walked in, looking a little worn out. When he saw me sitting in the living room, he smiled and walked over.

"I spent the whole night observing the skies. I'm so exhausted," he said.

I looked at him, suppressing the feelings of disgust that surged inside me. I asked evenly, "How did the observation go? Did you see the star?"

He nodded, looking slightly excited. "Yeah. It'll be my seventh-anniversary gift to you this year."

Then, he reached out and gently held my hand. "Our anniversary's tomorrow. I already booked the flight tickets to Trenland for a little getaway."

"Okay," I replied softly.

After he went back to the bedroom, I opened Serena's social feed.

The latest post popped up instantly, "Saw a new star last night. I've got a feeling that it's going to be named after me this time."

Underneath the post, her friends left playful comments.

"Haha! Dream on! You think you have a romantic boyfriend like Professor Thorne?"

"Who is it? Sounds impressive!"

She replied vaguely, "You'll see soon enough."

The next day, the observatory's official social account announced that Lucas had discovered a new star, and he had named it "S".

Countless comments flooded Serena's post from the previous day.

"Wow, it's true. That's pretty impressive, Serena!"

"Did Professor Thorne see your post and name it for you on purpose?"

Just then, Lucas walked through the door.

"Wilma, did you see? I named the star 'S.' It stands for 'seven' in light of our anniversary."

I looked up at him coldly. "Then what's going on with your assistant? That's not what she said in her post."

Lucas froze slightly as panic settled on his features. He quickly shook his head and denied it.

"She's making things up. It's utter nonsense. This has nothing to do with her. Don't believe those silly jokes she posts."

I stared at him in silence, my face expressionless.

Finally, I uttered, "Alright."

He seemed relieved and immediately changed the subject.

Grabbing my hand, he said, "Come on, let's not overthink this. Are our bags packed? It's time to head to the airport."

At the airport, his phone kept buzzing nonstop. He surreptitiously pulled out that other phone. In the next moment, a strained expression appeared on his face.

"Wilma, I'm so sorry. The observatory just called. Something urgent came up. I have to stay and work overtime," he said with a troubled frown.

"Why don't you go ahead first? I'll catch the next flight," he suggested.

"No worries. Work comes first. Go do what you have to do," I said understandingly.

Lucas nodded and turned to hurry away.

I watched his figure disappear into the crowd.

Then, I pulled out my phone and scrolled to a previous message from Serena. She had written, "Sorry, Wilma. Looks like I ruined your anniversary trip with Professor Thorne!"

She then attached her chat with Lucas.

"Delete that post right now. Don't cause any misunderstandings."

"Sorry, Professor Thorne. Don't be mad, please.

"Are you really going to stay mad at me? Come on, I bought a new dress just for you.

"I'd give my life for you! If you don't come, I can't go on living!"

I laughed coldly as I took screenshots of the messages. Then, I uploaded every bit of evidence I had directly to the observatory's official website.

I only wrote one single line, "This is my seven-year anniversary gift to you."

After confirming that I'd published the post, I sent a digital copy of the divorce agreement to Lucas' email. Next, I powered off my phone and removed the SIM card. I tossed it and the Trenland plane ticket Lucas had booked for me into the trash.

Without looking back, I walked toward the security gate for my flight to Mordeva.