Seven years into our marriage, my husband, Salvador Gonzalez, was renowned in the astronomy community and affectionately known as a "devoted husband." He always maintained a respectful distance from those around him, exuding a certain aloofness.

When a new assistant asked for his contact number, he would respond with a cool refusal. The year he proposed to me, he named an asteroid "LAW," standing for "Salvador Loves Azalea." Every time he discovered a new asteroid, he'd give it a name with hidden meanings known only to us. To the outside world, they might have appeared as mere professional achievements, but to me, they were silent love letters.

That was until this morning when I came across a strange phone. Entering my initials unlocked it easily. Initially, I thought it was another quiet gesture of his affection, but to my shock, the phone revealed a string of explicit messages between him and another woman. The messages were from none other than his assistant.

I discreetly returned the phone to the inner pocket of his blazer. Just as I smoothed the fabric, he wandered over, eyes still sleepy, and wrapped his arms around me, resting his chin on my shoulder. “Azalea, did you choose my outfit?” Seeing me nod, he smiled gently, warmth in his eyes. “Without you, I wouldn’t know what to wear.”

I forced a smile, though a profound sadness weighed on my heart. Suddenly, his gaze fell upon the blazer in my hands; his eyes narrowed, and he immediately said, “Let’s skip that one today, hang it back up.”

I hesitated slightly, gave him a glance, then hung the blazer back in the closet. He exhaled subtly, seemingly relieved. Noticing my silence, he turned to me with concern, “What’s wrong? You look troubled.”

I shook my head gently, “It’s nothing, maybe I just didn’t sleep well last night.”

“How about I skip the conference today?” His hand slid down, tenderly holding mine, “I’ll stay home with you, let you rest.”

“I… It’s okay, you should go.” I managed a small smile, concealing the turmoil in my eyes. He kissed the top of my head, his voice soft and reliant, “Azalea, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

As he left, I couldn’t help but reflect on the past seven years. Salvador had always kept a certain distance, polite yet detached. Without the revelations from that phone, I would never have imagined this hidden side of him.

The messages replayed in my mind, each word piercing like a needle—“I’ll wear that red dress you like next time, just for you~,” “Your blazer looks great today, I can’t help but imagine what you look like without it,” “Professor, no slacking! Remember to think of me today!”

I clenched my fists, a mix of anger and sorrow welling up inside me. Just then, footsteps approached the door; I turned to see who it was.

“Why are you back?” I asked.

Salvador stood at the door, a smile in his eyes, “I thought, what’s a conference compared to being with my wife?” He paused, as if struck by a thought, his smile growing warmer, “Besides, our seventh anniversary is coming up. How about we pick out a gift today?”

I managed a smile, “Didn't we always name asteroids to commemorate?”

He blinked, playfully ruffling my hair, “Yeah, but let’s try something new this year, perhaps visit a jewelry store?”

At the jewelry store, he quickly chose a necklace with a delicate star-shaped pendant. Salvador picked up the necklace, looking at me with eyes as gentle as a fleeting star in the night sky. The shop assistant chimed in, “Your husband has great taste. This necklace symbolizes eternal protection and suits you perfectly. You’re such a lovely couple.”

Salvador smiled, his fingers softly brushing over the pendant, his gaze tender and focused, “Yes, she is my star.” His words moved me slightly, the doubts and hurt seemed to fade for a moment.

Once in the car, he suddenly frowned, “I think I left something in the store. Wait here, I’ll be right back.” Saying that, he quickly got out and walked back into the store.

Back home, I searched the pocket of the blazer where the phone was kept, and sure enough, the phone was gone. His smile to the shop assistant, the talk of being a loving couple, the warm scene replayed in my mind.

I stood there, with the bitterness in my heart slowly being suppressed, telling myself that perhaps it was just the assistant’s wishful thinking…

After dinner, he suddenly set down his fork and said, “I have to work overtime at the observatory tonight. There's a rare celestial event to monitor.”

I frowned, puzzled. “I didn't hear your phone, and don’t they usually notify you ahead of time? Why is it so last-minute?”

He hesitated for a moment before giving a small, dismissive smile. “It’s a spontaneous observation, kind of a last-minute assignment.”

I nodded, not dwelling on it further.

As night fell, the weather forecast predicted a drop in temperature. Remembering he hadn’t dressed warmly when he left, I decided to drive over to the observatory to bring him some extra layers.

When I arrived at the observatory parking lot, my phone buzzed with a message from his assistant, Raina Martin.

Seeing her name sent a chill down my spine. She had previously acted coy, complaining about not having Professor Gonzalez's private contact.

“But what if I need to reach him in an emergency?” Her feigned innocence echoed in my mind. At the time, Salvador had laughed and said, “What could possibly happen? Don’t let her intrude on our time.”

Eventually, as a courtesy, I had added her.

With hesitation, I opened her message.

In the video, Raina wore a vibrant red dress, the straps teasingly visible. Her demeanor was alluring, with a smug smile on her face. Salvador stood beside her, his coat off, tie hanging loosely, several shirt buttons undone to reveal his collarbone. His eyes were half-closed, an expression of fatigue mixed with relaxation.

The camera slowly panned, and Raina deliberately brushed her fingers over a necklace—a familiar star pendant. Her fingers toyed with the pendant, her smile triumphant, as if staking a claim.

I clutched my phone tightly, the screen growing hot in my hand, yet I felt cold, like I’d been plunged into an icy abyss. Instinctively, I wanted to flee, but anger and pain pierced my heart like thorns, rooting me in place.

As if compelled by fate, I forced myself to approach the observatory door.

The door was slightly ajar, and I held my breath, listening to the voices inside.

Raina's laughter was sweet and lingering. She playfully said, “Professor, do you really like me in a red dress that much?”

Salvador’s voice was low, with a hint of helplessness, “Keep it down… no one should see us.”

“What are you afraid of?” Raina replied with a teasing pout, “It’s so late, who else would be around?”

My chest felt as if it had been struck by a heavy blow. Leaning against the door, my nails dug into my palms. I was on the verge of shouting, but I swallowed the anger and humiliation that rose to my throat.

I don't know how long I stood there, but the sky began to brighten.

Once it was quiet inside, I walked back to my car like a ghost.

My fingers trembled as they reached for my necklace, pulling it off in one swift motion. The cold star pendant fell into my palm. What once symbolized eternity now marked his betrayal.

I clenched the necklace tightly, nearly embedding it into my palm.

With trembling fingers, I dialed my parents’ number back in the States. “What’s wrong, Azalea?” my mother answered.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady the tremor in my voice. “Dad, Mom, I think I need to stay with you for a while.”

There was a brief silence on the other end. Then my mother asked with concern, “Weren’t you about to celebrate your seventh anniversary? Aren’t you staying with him for that?”

I let out a bitter laugh. “It’s not necessary.”