The year Felix Gibson and I were most in love, we got married.
After the wedding, I quit my job and devoted all my attention to him.
But he thought I was too clingy and started seeing one woman after another on the side.
I did not care because I knew they were just flings. That was, until he kept standing up for one of them repeatedly.
When I confronted him, he casually said, "Lexie, she reminds me so much of how you used to be."
I filed for divorce and moved abroad to focus on my career. Forget about being anyone’s second choice. I was determined to stand out on my own.
Later, Felix came back, begging on his knees for me to take him back.
I placed the last dish on the table, ready to wash my hands and join him for dinner. Just then, Felix Gibson received a call.
From the other end of the line came a woman’s voice, soft and frightened, almost pleading.
His expression turned anxious as he murmured a few comforting words. Then, grabbing his coat, he prepared to leave.
I could not even count how many times this had happened.
Every time I finally got a chance to be alone with Felix, that woman would find some excuse to call him away.
What was it this time?
"Do you know what day is it today, Felix?" I asked coldly.
Without even looking up, he brushed me off casually, "Is it an anniversary? Can I make it up to you next time? Madison has an urgent matter and needs me."
From our dating anniversaries to our wedding anniversaries, Felix had missed countless important days because of Madison.
But when had he ever really made it up to me?
Suppressing the bitterness rising in my chest, I asked quietly, "Are you starting to have feelings for her?"
Felix looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with regret and longing.
"Lexie, she reminds me so much of how you used to be."
I almost lost my balance, clutching the back of the chair tightly to steady myself. My nails dug into my palm, but I felt no pain.
It was not until now that I had to admit, Madison was different from all the other women before her.
She could effortlessly capture all of Felix’s attention.
He left.
The meal I had prepared for our wedding anniversary, gradually turned cold. Just like our elegant yet indifferent marriage.
I pulled out my phone and saw Madison’s latest post.
"What do I do when my boyfriend is too sweet? It’s just regular period cramps, but he rushed over with a ton of stuff for me. He even joked that today is my ‘Little Princess’s Cramp Day’ and said he’d always remember it."
The accompanying photo showed a large hand gently resting on her abdomen.
The luxury watch on his wrist indicated that the man was Felix.
I remembered our first wedding anniversary. Because of Felix’s neglect, I had miscarried.
From that day on, he had promised me in tears that no matter how busy he was, whether he was on a business trip or not, he would always come back to spend our anniversary together.
And now, for just a regular period cramp, he could not help but worry about her.
What about me?
Did he ever think about the pain I felt when I lost our child?
There were no likes under her post. It was visible only to me.
She was taunting me.
Because Felix did not want a divorce.
So, he gave her this power to provoke me.
……
The story of Felix and me was a classic cliché.
A charming CEO and a rising jewelry designer hit it off right away.
The more time we spent together, the more deeply we fell in love.
I was so full of life and confidence back then, convinced that my talent and determination could overcome anything.
And for a while, it seemed like I was right. My career soared. I won prestigious awards, and my jewelry designs were in high demand.
During those hectic days, it was Felix who quietly took care of everything.
When faced with rumors and slander, it was Felix who stood by my side, supporting me unwaveringly.
So, in the year we were most in love, we got married.
After the wedding, we had a sweet period of happiness.
I was too naive then, thinking that all men wanted a wife who would focus on the family, be there to support and nurture, and make their life the center of her world.
But Felix was different. He was surrounded by too many beautiful women.
He got tired of my clinginess and started looking for something new.
He went through one woman after another, but they all resembled me.
I selfishly believed he still loved me.
But when Madison appeared, she shattered my illusion.
Felix stood up for her time and again, lowering his standards and treating her like a princess. He was like a king, capable of bestowing both pain and happiness. He cruelly transferred all his affection to Madison, leaving me in anguish.
He did not want a divorce because I was still his "one true love."
But he turned his "one true love" into something mundane and ordinary.
The admiration and passion he once had for me have completely faded away.
……
Felix did not come home all night.
I sat on the couch, thinking about how we ended up like this.
By noon, Felix finally returned, looking refreshed and energized. It was obvious he had spent a wonderful night with Madison.
He handed me a gift box.
Inside was a piece from a niche designer I had always liked. It wasn’t too expensive, but it was rare and hard to come by.
Felix clasped the necklace around my neck and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead.
"Lexie, I know you've wanted this for a long time, so I got it for you."
For a moment, I thought he still loved me.
I pressed my lips together and looked at my reflection in the mirror. I looked delicate and fragile, like a jasmine blossom.
Felix gazed at me with a mix of longing and a hint of guilt.
"Get dressed up. I want to make up for missing our anniversary."
I put on makeup and changed into a matching outfit.
Felix took me to a movie, followed by a candlelit dinner, and even arranged a spectacular fireworks display for me.
I was so happy.
We were just as sweet and loving as when we first got together, as if the last few years had never happened.
After Felix started flirting with other women, I lost all motivation to create.
But now, I finally felt inspired again.
When I walked into my studio, I was stunned to see my design drafts scattered all over the floor.
And there, on the desk, was another ring.
I already had one exactly like it on my finger, but this one was also a woman’s ring!
Everything that happened today flashed through my mind like a movie reel.
All the surprises, happiness, and affection were just lies.
Felix’s sudden attempts to make it up to me and his guilty look in his eyes were all because of Madison.
She had stolen my designs, and Felix was trying to make amends.
That brief moment of hope shattered in an instant.
……
I fought back tears and called Felix.
The phone rang for a long time before he finally answered.
"Lexie, what’s up?"
I demanded, "Felix, yesterday you said you were making up for our anniversary. Was it because Madison stole my designs?"
Felix was silent for a moment before he spoke.
"Lexie, I’ve already talked to her. It won’t happen again."
My heart sank.
I asked coldly, "She’s studying design. Doesn’t she know that copying and stealing work is the most disgraceful thing you can do?
"Is she so incapable that she has to rely on my designs?"
Suddenly, I heard soft sobbing on the other end of the line.
Madison was crying.
Between her sobs, she said, "I’m sorry, Felix. I was just under so much pressure, so I borrowed some of her work."
Felix sighed and said, "Apologize."
"I’m sorry," Madison choked out, her voice breaking.
I could hear Felix gently comforting her and it made my heart ache terribly.
"Lexie, tell me what you want. I’ll make it up to you," Felix pleaded softly. "If what Madison did gets out, it’ll cause a lot of trouble. So I hope you won’t say anything, okay?"
I could not stop the tears from falling.
It had been so long since he had spoken to me like this, and now he was doing it for Madison’s sake.
He used to love the light in my eyes when I was creating.
Now, he wanted me to give up my designs so his mistress could get the credit.
It felt like it was raining in my heart, and my tears dripped onto the scattered designs.
