Chapter 1

On our tenth wedding anniversary, my husband, who has hearing difficulties, disappeared for the entire morning.

I thought he was planning a surprise, so I cheerfully headed to the hotel where we were supposed to meet. But instead of a surprise, I was met with his guilty admission: "I'm sorry, I cheated."

My mind went blank, and the crimson stain on the sheets seemed to burn into my eyes.

Gideon, looking devastated, held his head in his hands, "Adeline, it was an accident. We were both drunk."

His friend, Nora, was clutching the blanket, sobbing, "I'm not a virgin anymore. How will I ever get married now..."

Gideon was silent for a moment, then said, "I'm sorry, I'll take responsibility."

I held back my tears, "And what about me?"

Gideon couldn't find the words. I let out a bitter laugh, tears flowing, "Let's get a divorce."

"No, I won't divorce you, not even if I die." Gideon's eyes turned red as he removed his hearing aid, refusing to talk to me. I watched him in despair.

My phone buzzed with a message from my ex-boyfriend: [Adeline, please don't be mad at me anymore, okay?]

......

"Ms. Harper, I won't destroy someone else's marriage." Nora said stubbornly, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. "Don't worry, I won't ask Gideon to take responsibility." She sniffled, "I won't be a homewrecker either!"

Nora stumbled as she got up. Gideon tried to help her, but she dodged him. She got dressed, wiped her tears, and with red-rimmed eyes, glanced at Gideon before grabbing her bag and rushing out.

My nails dug into my palms. Gideon hurriedly dressed, put on his hearing aid, and brushed past me as he chased after her.

I collapsed onto the bed. A moment later, Gideon returned, looking devastated. Seeing me, he frowned disapprovingly, "How could you do this to Nora? She's innocent."

I widened my eyes in disbelief. Gideon frowned, "Isn't she?"

I clutched my phone, turning my tearful face away, my voice choked, "And I'm not innocent?"

Gideon was silent. He scratched his head in frustration, "We were just having drinks with a client, I didn't expect things to turn out this way..."

"Nora is a virgin... I have to take responsibility for her." Gideon's head hung lower and lower. I wore a sarcastic smile.

"Then should I find my ex to take responsibility for me?"

Gideon was at a loss for words, "That's not what I meant."

I laughed, tears blurring my vision, "You still care that I'm not a virgin."

Gideon panicked, "No, I don't! You know how much I love you."

"But you slept with someone else and want to take responsibility for her."

Gideon's voice trembled, "But I don't love her!"

"It was a mistake after drinking. Can't you forgive me just this once for the sake of our thirteen years together?"

Gideon knelt in front of me, trembling as he held my hand. I lowered my head, hiding the tears about to fall.

"I promise I won't sleep with other women again, and I won't drink, but..." He lowered his head, "This is my fault, I have to take responsibility for Nora."

I pulled my hand away from Gideon and looked into his eyes. "How do you plan to take responsibility? Be with her?"

Gideon didn't respond. I took it as his consent. "Let's get a divorce."

Gideon bit his lip, avoiding my gaze. "Nora's not in a good state, I need to find her."

"Wait for me... I'll handle this, but I won't divorce you."

"I only love you."

Gideon stood up and hurried out. I held my head in despair, tears streaming down uncontrollably.

A new message popped up on my phone. [I won't talk bad about Gideon anymore. I can apologize to him in person for what happened before.]

[Don't ignore me, I've been sidelined for thirteen years. I'm begging you...]

I replied with trembling hands. [I want to go home.]

He replied instantly: [I'm coming to get you now, wait for me.]