After Eight Years, I Finally Let Go

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On New Year's Eve, my wife finally agreed to let me join her childhood friends' party.

But while I was lying in the lounge, dizzy from the drinks, something happened.

My wife, who was never affectionate with me, threw herself into the arms of Xander Brooks. He had just returned to the country.

Xander, you're finally back. Do you know how much I've missed you?

"If it weren't for you, I never would have agreed to marry into the Sinclair family. Don't worry, I've kept myself pure for you all these years."

As she spoke, she took off her coat and kissed the corner of Xander's mouth.

I used to think she was just cold by nature. Now I finally understood that her heart belonged to someone else.

In that moment, my heart turned to ash. I decided to let go.

But why, after I gave up everything, did she come back crying and begging me to stay?

I didn't get up from the sofa until everyone had left. My hands and feet were ice cold. I rushed to the bathroom and threw up everything in my stomach.

When I finally stumbled out, Jocelyn Hayes was already standing by the car. Xander Brooks was right there with her.

She was wrapping her arms around his neck with a smile I had never seen before. "Xander, you're staying for good this time, right?"

For the first time, I saw a hint of desperation on her face.

Xander took her hand and kissed it gently. His movements were so tender that Jocelyn's face turned bright red.

"Of course. I'll stay for you."

Jocelyn didn't notice me until I walked right up to them. She instinctively let go of Xander's hand.

The sweetness on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of pure annoyance.

"What took you so long?"

Maybe she was worried I would make a scene. Her eyes flickered with a bit of guilt as she looked at Xander.

"Xander just got back. We were just catching up."

I didn't say a word. I just stared at her.

She frowned and let out an impatient sigh. "Caden Sinclair, what are you suspicious of now?"

"It's exhausting when a man is this paranoid all day long."

She glared at me, then turned back to Xander with a soft expression. "Let's catch up again soon."

As she moved, I saw the dark red marks on her neck, peeking out from under her collar.

I let out a bitter, silent laugh.

Xander gave me a provocative look. Then he turned to Jocelyn and spoke in a whiny, teasing tone.

"Jocelyn, I'm feeling a bit dizzy. Can you drive me home?"

She didn't hesitate for a single second. She turned to me immediately.

"Xander isn't feeling well. I'm going to drop him off first. You can find your own way home."

Her tone left no room for argument. She didn't even look back at me as she followed Xander into the car.

Xander flashed me a triumphant grin through the window.

I stood there in the cold night. Before I could even say a word, the dust from their car settled on my face.

I swallowed the bitter tears stinging my eyes.

Jocelyn had probably forgotten how much I had to drink tonight just to cover for her.

How was I supposed to drive?

The club they chose was in a remote area. There were no Ubers or designated drivers around.

The only way back was to walk.

Rain began to fall out of nowhere.

The cold droplets reminded me of the first time we met. I had just been brought back to the Sinclair family, and nobody cared about me.

It was a rainy day just like this when I met Jocelyn.

She had handed me an umbrella and invited me into her social circle.

That umbrella shielded my heart from the rain and made me fall for her.

I knew she only married me because Xander had moved to Europe. But I thought time would change things. I thought she would eventually accept me.

For years, I secretly supported her family's failing business to keep them afloat.

But after eight years of marriage, there was never any room for me in her heart.

After my fifth call was declined, I received a photo from Xander.

It was Jocelyn. She was kissing his neck with a look of pure devotion.

In that moment, the heavy rain finally drowned my last hope. I finally understood everything. I dialed my secretary's number.

"Cancel all financial support for the Hayes family. Prepare to move our operations to the European market."

It was well past midnight when I finally dragged my soaked body back to the house.

As I opened the door, the first firework of the New Year exploded in the sky behind me.

I had prepared that surprise for Jocelyn. Now, it was no longer needed.

My phone vibrated. Another message from Xander.

In the photo, my wifeDwho never even touched a dish at homeDwas kneeling to wash Xander's feet.

I can't believe it. I've been gone for eight years, and you still haven't won Jocelyn over.

But I guess it makes sense. Jocelyn was willing to stay lonely for eight years just for me. You never stood a chance, Caden.

Looking at the series of taunting messages, I couldn't stop the tears from falling.

Eight years.

Jocelyn, you never once looked back at me.

She said she was only dropping him off. But when I woke up the next morning, she still wasn't home.

Because of the excessive drinking and the night spent in the rain, I felt terrible when I woke up.

My head was spinning, and my stomach was in knots.

I curled up on the bed in pain. I finally managed to reach for my phone and dial Jocelyn's number.

The line rang for a full minute before someone picked up.

"Jocelyn..."

My voice was trembling with pain.

Suddenly, a woman's soft moan drowned out whatever I was going to say.

My hand shook so hard I almost dropped the phone. That voice belonged to Jocelyn.

The sounds continued on the other end.

Jocelyn was breathlessly calling out Xander's name, begging for more.

I listened like a masochist until a man's voice finally came through.

Xander sounded arrogant and full of mockery.

"Caden Sinclair, why don't you just give up? How was that? Did she sound good? Jocelyn is asleep now."

"You have no idea how wild she was for me last night."

I didn't have the courage to listen anymore. I hung up the phone in a panic.

The pain in my heart was so sharp it actually numbed the physical pain in my body.

After a long time, I dragged my sick body to the hospital alone.

The doctor looked at my reports with a serious expression. "Young man, you need to take better care of yourself. Why drink so much with such a bad stomach?"

"Didn't anyone from your family come with you?"

I lowered my head. My hair covered my eyes as I let out a bitter laugh.

"My family? They're probably busy."

Yeah, they were definitely busy. Busy taking care of her childhood sweetheart.

Jocelyn didn't call me until that evening.

She sounded incredibly annoyed on the phone. "Where did you run off to?"

"I just spent one night with Xander. What are you throwing a tantrum for now?"

A tantrum?

I looked up at the IV drip slowly falling into my vein. My voice was flat. "I'm at the hospital on an IV."

Jocelyn went silent for a moment.

When I finally left the hospital, Jocelyn was waiting outside. Of course, Xander was right there with her.

She looked me up and down with an irritated gaze.

Her tone was cold. "I thought it was something serious. It's just a stomach ache."

"Xander finally comes over as a guest, and the house is empty. You really have no manners, do you? Just like a typical unwanted outcast."

I stood frozen, staring at her.

She knew exactly how hard my life was when I was treated as an outcast by the Sinclairs.

They say the person who knows you best knows exactly where to drive the knife to hurt you the most.

I suppressed the ache in my chest and opened the car door.

We returned to the Hayes estate.

Jocelyn's parents were already at the door to greet us.

When they saw Xander, their expressions stiffened for a second before they looked at me.

Her mother was the first to notice I didn't look right.

She supported me and spoke to Jocelyn in a scolding tone. "Jocelyn, what's wrong with you? Caden looks terrible. How could you not notice?"

A brief wave of warmth hit my heart.

The reason I kept funding the Hayes family was largely because of her parents.

Even though Jocelyn was cold to me after the marriage, her parents gave me the family warmth I had lacked for so long.

Her mother saw my pale face and settled me into bed, telling me to get some rest.

I was exhausted from the IV and the illness, so I didn't refuse.

But I was worried about the funding. I wanted to tell them my decision and give them the retirement fund I had set aside for them.

I woke up after only a short nap.

That was when I heard their voices coming from downstairs.

"We always wanted Xander to be our son-in-law. If the company hadn't run into trouble, we never would have forced Jocelyn into that marriage."

"But now that Xander is back, they can finally pick up where they left off."

"Exactly. If it weren't for the Sinclair family's wealth, we never would have married our daughter to that outcast."

"But let's keep the news about Jocelyn and Xander's child a secret from Caden for now."

I stood in the blind spot of the hallway, my hand gripping the railing until my knuckles turned white.

In that moment, I realized I was nothing but a joke to them.

The Hayes family had known all along. I was the only one kept in the dark.

It was hilarious. I had been foolishly playing the role of the dutiful son-in-law.

My gaze fell on Jocelyn.

She was leaning into Xander's arms, smiling tenderly as she stroked her stomach.

I used to dream of having a child with her.

I even thought she was just uncomfortable with intimacy. I had even looked into options like IVF for her.

But she always refused, so I let it go.

It wasn't that she didn't want a child. She just didn't want one with me.

That night, I left under the cover of darkness.

Before leaving, I sent a message to my secretary. I directed the retirement fund I had saved for her parents to be donated to charity instead.

My fever hadn't fully broken, and my head was pounding.

But I forced myself to pack all my things.

I threw everything that reminded me of Jocelyn into the trash.

By the time I was finished, I was so dizzy I just collapsed on the sofa and fell asleep.

The next morning, the harsh sunlight woke me up.

The pain in my head had finally eased a bit.

Suddenly, the door swung open.

Jocelyn's eyes were full of displeasure. "Why did you leave without saying a word? You made my parents worry."

Xander followed behind her, patting her back comfortingly.

"I know Mr. Sinclair is jealous of me. But doing this in front of the elders shows a real lack of class."

I didn't argue. I just said calmly, "You're right. A person like me has no class. I can't compare to high-society people like you."

Jocelyn's voice immediately jumped an octave.

"Caden Sinclair, what is that supposed to mean? So what if your family is rich? You're still just an unwanted outcast!"

The house fell into a deathly silence for a few seconds. Jocelyn seemed to realize she had gone too far. Her voice softened slightly.

"I didn't mean it like that."

But I didn't care anymore. I was done with this relationship.

Xander suddenly blocked my path. A sly smirk played on his lips.

"To be honest, Jocelyn is already pregnant with my child."

"It's actually funny. Eight years, and you didn't even dare to touch her. But after all this time, she's still as obedient as a dog when she's with me."

I finally lost it. I swung my fist and hit him across the face.

He didn't even try to dodge. He just gave me a provocative look.

The next thing I knew, I was tumbling down the stairs. Jocelyn rushed to Xander's side, her face full of concern.

"Caden! What are you doing?"

She shielded Xander behind her, her eyes filled with disgust and impatience.

"You need to know your place. This was an arranged marriage. I've always loved Xander. Who do you think you are to treat him like this?"

I saw the hatred in her eyes. I forced myself to stand up and spoke coldly. "Then let's get a divorce."

"You two can be together openly. I won't be in your way anymore."

Jocelyn froze.

Xander let out a scoff. "Who do you think you are, trying to threaten Jocelyn with a divorce?"

Jocelyn snapped out of it and sneered. "Fine, Caden. Don't you dare regret it."

After they left, I called my secretary. "Get the best lawyers. I want Jocelyn Hayes to leave with absolutely nothing."

Since she didn't care for anything the Sinclair family provided, I didn't need to show any mercy.

From now on, our paths would never cross again.

Once everything was handled, I boarded a plane to Europe.