The Night the Moon Faded

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When I was making late-night snacks for Luna Bright to come home, I stumbled upon a video of a couple tossing a coin to decide who would do the dishes.

The guy held a coin, but before he could flip it, a womans hand covered his. Her voice was full of affection: Just tell me what you want. No need for games, you might hurt your hand.

The womans voice sounded familiar. Even the bracelet on her wrist was identical to Lunas, and the guys watch was the same limited edition Arthur Vance had bought his father three months ago for eight million dollars, the only one of its kind. But Luna should be working overtime at the office right now. As I stood there, stunned, the guy in the video shook his wrist, his voice laced with annoyance: Ive been wearing this watch for three months now. Dont you think its time for a new one?

I stared at the expensive watch in the video, its dial studded with small diamonds. A chilling realization dawned: the woman in the video was my wife, Luna Bright.

I clicked on the bloggers profile, discovering hundreds of posts. Besides himself, a three-year-old boy frequently appeared in the videos. I scrolled all the way to the bottom and found his first post from three years ago. He was holding a woman, their faces hidden. The caption read: Thank you, my dear wife, for bringing our little one into the world. Next to him, another middle-aged man was holding a newborn baby. That man was Luna Brights father.

My grip tightened on the phone. I didn't know how to process this. I racked my brain, recalling the past five years and how Lunas father had treated me. Initially, he couldn't stand me. After our marriage, I became a stay-at-home husband at Lunas insistence, failing to provide for the family. Worse, due to a health issue, I couldnt have children, making me, in his eyes, an unworthy son-in-law. But ever since Luna went on a year-long business trip to her hometown three years ago, his attitude towards me had done a complete U-turn. Not only did he stop looking down on me, but he even encouraged me several times to make things work with Luna.

It turned out he already had a more satisfactory son-in-law in mind.

I went back and replayed the video Id just seen. It had been posted three days ago. That night, coincidentally, was our fifth wedding anniversary. Id booked a restaurant a month in advance, planning a romantic dinner with Luna. Shed promised shed be there. But that night, I waited until the restaurant closed, and she never managed to finish her overtime at the office. Now, watching the video, I finally understood. That night, she was with another man.

When Luna finally came home, the late-night meal on the table was already cold. She noticed my dazed stare and smiled, asking, Honey, whats wrong? Did something happen when you went out today?

I shook my head.

Luna pretended to think for a few seconds, then sat across from me, took my hand, and said softly, Still upset about me breaking our date the other day, arent you? Tell you what, pick any gift you want. Ill buy it for you tomorrow, and then youll forgive me, okay?

Feeling the tenderness in her voice, and remembering the video, I quietly said, Then buy me a watch.

Luna hadn't expected such a simple request and readily agreed. I opened my phone and showed her the watchs picture. Get me this one.

But when Luna saw the watch in the image, a flicker of discomfort crossed her face. I pretended not to notice, asking in a low voice, Whats wrong?

Luna gave a forced laugh. I heard that watch was already reserved a few days ago. But dont worry, darling, Ill find a way to get it for you.

Alright, thank you, my dear wife.

After that, I didnt want to talk to her anymore and went to the bathroom to shower. Through the trickling water, I heard Luna arguing with someone on the phone. When I came out, she was sitting on the sofa, clutching her phone, her face flushed with anger. Luna looked at me with a hint of dejection. Im sorry, honey, that watch has already been bought. No matter how high a price I offer, they wont sell it to me.

She then reached out and hugged my neck, inhaling the scent of my shower gel. Its all my fault. I cant even fulfill such a small request for you.

I let her hug me, saying nothing. I already knew she couldnt buy that watch. Because in the bathroom, I had just seen the blogger post a new video.

Just received my new watch from my husband.

Phew, so close! Some jerk almost snatched it away.

The comments below were a mix of envy and teasing.

You should be worried about someone snatching your wife, not just the watch.

Your wife is so rich and generous, surely many men out there want your spot.

The blogger posted a disdainful emoji.

Those men out there are old and ugly, and they cant compare to me in bed. How could my wife possibly be interested in them?

I understood his insinuation. Five years into our marriage, I hadnt worked due to my health. In our intimate life, she had always accommodated me, a few times a year without complaint, never pressuring me. Now it seemed, her leniency was more out of guilt.

The next day, as soon as Luna left, I hailed a cab and followed her. There was nothing at her company today, so I was sure she would go to see that man again. I needed to find out where he lived, this man who had allowed Luna to juggle two families for years without me ever finding a single flaw.

However, to my surprise, she drove directly to an amusement park. At the entrance, I saw a man in the distance, holding a child. The moment the child saw Luna, he loudly called out, Mommy!

Since I promised to come, I wouldnt break my word. Luna skillfully took the child from the man, kissed the child, then kissed the man. The man pouted in dissatisfaction. If I hadnt opened the watch and worn it last night, were you going to give it to your husband?

Luna chuckled, teasing the child. How could I? I was just putting on a show for him. Anything I give you is yours, I wouldnt take it back. Besides, in my heart, where would he even rank compared to you?

My hands clenched, my mask hiding my face as I followed them. Hearing her words, my heart twisted with an agonizing pain. Just last night, Luna had held me, promising that even if I never worked a day in my life, it wouldnt affect our relationship. She would work hard and support me forever. Not having children was fine; being DINKs for life was perfectly good. For a fleeting moment, I had truly believed her. Believed the video I saw was fake, and the bloggers account was fake. But now, her actions unequivocally told me that everything I saw was real, and her love for me was fake.

I didn't know what I had done wrong.

Luna bought tickets with the man at the entrance, then they entered the amusement park. Watching the two of them with the child, my heart was filled with the bitter resentment and anger of deception and betrayal. As they were about to turn a corner, I pulled out my phone and called Luna. The first time, she hung up when it rang. I wouldn't give up, and called again.

Luna frowned, handed the child to the man, and answered the phone. Arthur, whats wrong?

I bit my lip, trying to keep my voice sounding normal. Nothing. Just thought youve been working so hard these past few days. I made some soup for you at home and just arrived downstairs at your company.

Luna on the other end of the line immediately sounded flustered. Could you maybe wait at the coffee shop nearby? Ill be right down.

Okay. I hung up.

Not far away, Luna spoke to the man, who seemed a little angry. But eventually, the two of them came out with the child. I stood aside, watching her hail a cab for the man and child, then drive straight to her company.

Inside the coffee shop, Luna looked at my empty hands, her eyes filled with surprise. Honey, didnt you say you came to bring me soup?

I gave a bitter laugh, looking at her calmly. Luna, lets get a divorce.

Why? Lunas eyes were filled with shock and disbelief. Arthur, did something happen to you? Havent we been perfectly fine all these years? Why are you suddenly talking about divorce?

I remembered the harmonious image of their family of three at the amusement park entrance, and smiled forlornly. My health isnt good, and I wont be able to have children. I shouldnt hold you back.

However, Luna took my hand, her eyes full of sincerity. Honey, I already told you, even without children, our feelings for each other wont be affected at all. This divorce business Before she could finish, her phone rang suddenly. Luna glanced at the screen and immediately hung up. But the next second, the call came in again. Luna frowned, didnt answer, but looked at me and said in a low voice, Arthur, I wont divorce you. Theres an emergency meeting at the company, I need to go up. Ill talk to you more when I get home tonight.

Watching her hurried escape, I already guessed who that call was from. After she left, I clicked on the mans profile again. His latest video was filmed at the amusement park. A woman holding a child appeared in the shot, but her face wasnt visible. He buried his head in the womans shoulder, his face looking somewhat unhappy.

That damn jerk is so annoying. No wonder hes plagued by illness his whole life.

My wife promised to celebrate Babys birthday today, but he still called her away.

However, the comments below this video werent admiring him as before; people had noticed a blind spot. The woman who constantly appeared with him was expensively dressed, worth at least tens of millions, but under what circumstances would she be called away at any moment by another man? A daring netizen directly pointed it out in the comments section.

Is the blogger this womans kept man?

Otherwise, why has your wife never shown her face all this time?

And she can casually buy you an eight-million-dollar watch, how could she be called away so easily?

Other netizens quickly caught on.

Yeah, it must be the wife calling him away, thats why his wife was called away.

Oh, cant call her his wife now. After all, hes just a kept man.

Disgusting homewrecker, so shameless, still complaining about the actual wife.

The man wanted to prove himself, but besides the pile of gifts Luna had given him, he couldnt produce any evidence to prove his relationship with her. A netizen asked him to post their marriage certificate directly, and the man, flustered, immediately deleted the video.

I smiled, watching his panic and helplessness. Of course, he couldn't produce it, because the person who registered their marriage with Luna back then was me.

Luna and I met in college. She came from a poor background and tried to start a business repeatedly, but always failed. To reassure her, I married her right after college, even breaking ties with my parents for it. Luna, dont worry, no matter what happens, Ill be with you forever. Luna, looking at the two marriage certificates, her eyes instantly red, cried out loud in my arms. Arthur, I will never let you down in this life. Ill make sure your parents believe you didnt choose the wrong person. Later, Luna carefully treasured those two marriage certificates. But the damp basement seemed too small to contain two young, fervent hearts.

I touched the marriage certificate, its edges already worn from the damp environment years ago, my heart filled with bitter pain. Seven years of love, from a basement apartment to a grand flat, I always thought we were the happiest couple. But it turned out that for more than half of our relationship, she was busy managing her other family.

My phone chimed, a new video from that man.

Tonight is Babys birthday party.

My wife and father-in-law will be here soon.

Then youll all know Im not a homewrecker.

I looked at the location tag under his video and realized the hotel was less than ten kilometers from me. Since that was the case, I should also prepare a gift for Baby. Before leaving, I called Luna again. What time are you coming home tonight?

In the past, whenever I mentioned breaking up or divorcing, she would always rush home early to coax me. But now, the person on the other end of the line was clearly flustered. Honey, I have to work overtime tonight, so I probably cant come home to be with you. Dont worry, when I get back tomorrow, Ill make it up to you properly. Then, afraid I was still angry about what happened at lunch, she quickly added, If theres anything Im doing wrong, just tell me. But you cant talk about divorce again.

Before I could speak, she hung up directly. I calculated the time, changed my clothes, and took a taxi there. The hotel was huge. As I searched, one by one, Luna was holding the child and toasting with the man to people nearby. On the large screen, joyful red letters read: "Thank you all for coming to the birthday party of Lucas Bright-Kennedy, son of Luna Bright and Liam Kennedy."

I sneered and walked directly in. Back when Luna and I got married, we didn't have a wedding ceremony. So, over the years, besides her father, I hadn't met any of her other relatives. But even though I was a stranger to them, no one noticed me. They were all looking up at the two people in the center.

Luna is so lucky! Great at making money, and her husband is so family-oriented.

Yes, and they had a son as their first child, such good fortune.

Indeed, I always said she was most compatible with that Kennedy boy.

Look at them now, such a happy and complete family.

Her dad said theyre planning to have a daughter this year too.

After all, having both a son and a daughter is truly a great blessing.

I listened to the conversations around me, feeling the blood in my body turn cold inch by inch. They wanted a son and a daughter, but no one ever cared what would happen to me, whose marriage had been destroyed. Looking at Luna not far away, I was about to step forward but was pulled back by someone.

Hey, young man, are you Lunas colleague?

You look quite young. Are you married?

We have a few pretty girls in our village, want me to set you up?

They talked and tried to pull me to a seat. I struggled fiercely, but my voice was calm. Im not Luna Brights colleague. Im her husband.

Someone nearby laughed. Youre talking nonsense! Lunas husband is right there beside her. Its such a happy day, you shouldnt joke around. If you really want to get married, Ill introduce you to someone good.

I said Im her husband. I violently flung off the hand holding me, accidentally knocking a glass to the floor. The crisp sound of shattering glass instantly drew everyones attention. My father-in-law saw me and his face instantly filled with panic. Before he could stop Luna, she had already turned around. Lunas eyes were wide with shock and helplessness, and even the child in her arms started wailing.

Watching this absurd scene, I ignored the stinging pain from the broken glass on my wrist and walked step by step towards her. Wife, didnt you say you were working overtime at the company?

Luna noticed the injury on my hand and quickly handed the child to the man beside her, then helped me sit down. Arthur, youre hurt.

But I repeated my earlier question. Didnt you say you were working overtime at the company?

Luna heard the choked sob in my voice, and a trace of guilt flashed in her eyes. Arthur, I can explain all this. But you need to go to the hospital and get your wound treated first. She was about to take my hand, but I pushed her away, suppressing the tears that threatened to overflow, and asked in a hoarse voice, What more do you have to explain? Is everything Im seeing here fake?

Seeing the relatives around us beginning to watch with a hint of schadenfreude, Lunas patience visibly thinned. Arthur Bright, can you please stop making a scene? I have my reasons for all this.

Slap!

The moment her words fell, I slapped her across the face. I looked at Lunas turned head and said with a cold laugh, Luna Bright, I thought you at least had some backbone. But I never imagined that even after cheating, you wouldnt have the courage to admit it to my face. You say you have your reasons, but are your reasons for having another mans child behind my back?

Before Luna could speak, my father-in-law rushed over, raising his hand and slapping me across the face. How dare you hit my daughter?

I endured the stinging pain in my cheek, glaring at him, and roared, How dare I? Because shes been two-timing, deceiving me, betraying me! She did this to me, so why cant I hit her?

My father-in-law, his face full of fury, scoffed disdainfully. Hmph, Ill tell you the truth, Luna has long been tired of you. A man who isnt even a real man, daring to occupy my son-in-laws position. Even if you hadnt shown up today, Luna was going to divorce you.