My Perfect Husband Cheated, So I Found a Better Man

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Sis, can I come over tonight?

Calebs strong arms wrapped around my waist, pinning me.

He buried his head in the crook of my neck, deliberately lowering his voice to a playful whine.

I chuckled, patting his back: Next time.

Caleb lifted his head, his wounded gaze expressing his displeasure.

Whens next time? Tomorrow or next year?

I was about to answer when my peripheral vision caught sight of a black car stopped at the intersection, waiting for the green light.

I nudged Calebs shoulder:

Be a good boy, let go. My husbands here to pick me up.

You owe me a big one next time, Sis.

Caleb huffed lightly, reluctantly releasing me.

Mm, get going.

With that, I subtly widened the distance between us.

Under my urging gaze, Caleb left, glancing back every few steps.

No sooner had he gone than Adrian pulled up.

Adrian seemed to have witnessed my interaction with Caleb.

His face was somber as he asked, Who was that? Fiona, are you two close?

My expression remained unchanged: Just a colleague.

Really?

Adrian remained suspicious but didnt press further.

It seemed he hadnt seen Caleb and me embracing.

I inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.

Fiona, guess what I brought for you?

A sweet aroma wafted towards me. I looked down to see Adrian holding a bag of my favorite roasted chestnuts.

He peeled one open and popped it into my mouth: Good?

I nodded, savoring the sweet, soft chestnut melting in my mouth.

A warm cup of milk tea was suddenly placed in my hand, dispelling the chill from my body.

Adrian led me to the car, thoughtfully opening the door for me.

He never allowed anyone to eat in his car; I was the sole exception.

Adrian drove, not forgetting to spare me some attention.

Fiona, tomorrow is our tenth anniversary. Is there anywhere youd like to go?

I leaned against the car window. Hearing his words, I was momentarily lost in thought.

So, wed been together for ten years.

Adrian was incredibly good to me.

He woke up at 5:30 every morning, just to make me breakfast.

No matter how busy he was, he would pick me up from and drop me off at work.

He sent me flowers every week, each bouquet meticulously chosen by him.

He never missed any anniversary.

Yet, this seemingly perfect husband had already cheated.

In our seventh year of marriage.

Adrian, the cheater, showed no signs of abnormality.

He continued to care for me meticulously, treating me well.

If I hadnt seen that message three years ago.

Every winter, my hands and feet would be ice cold, no matter how many layers I wore, I couldn't get warm.

Adrian bought over a dozen hot water bottles and placed them on the bed.

Since the hot water bottles couldn't stay warm all night, Adrian set alarms. As soon as an alarm went off, he would crawl out of our warm bed to refill them with hot water.

Two years ago, Adrian was busy day and night striving for a professorship, yet still worried about me in the evenings.

I couldnt bear it.

I quietly turned off his alarm and tiptoed out of the room.

I intended to boil and change the water myself, but an accident occurred.

The kettle suddenly burst, and Adrian, startled awake from his sleep, saw the messy scene.

He trembled as he rushed me, scalded, to the hospital.

I was diagnosed with second-degree burns.

Thirty-year-old Adrian lay by my hospital bed, crying without a shred of self-consciousness.

Fiona, does it hurt? Why didnt you call me to change the water? Id rather it was me who got burned.

I chuckled, wiping away his tears, my voice hoarse: It doesnt hurt.

He refused to go to school, taking a full month off.

He stayed by my side all day, changing my clothes, applying medicine.

Even when I had to use the restroom, he would carefully carry me, afraid of hurting me.

He knew I valued my appearance, so to prevent scars, he started researching beauty broths.

Seeing the dark circles under his eyes, I felt nothing but heartache.

It seemed I only ever caused him trouble.

I forcibly pulled him onto the bed, and under his surprised gaze, I lifted my hand to cover his eyes: Get some sleep.

He was exhausted and soon drifted off to sleep.

His phone, carelessly left on the nightstand, suddenly lit up.

I initially didnt want to bother, but the screen lit up several times in a row.

All of Adrians passwords were related to me.

I just didnt expect Adrians phone to have two separate spaces.

As soon as I unlocked the phone, a message popped up.

Chloe: [I learned a new trick. Coming over tonight?]

My head buzzed, my body tensed like stone.

What did this mean?

I swiped up, and photos of a girl in skimpy lingerie filled my vision.

The girl was Adrians student.

Her chat history with Adrian was explicit.

So, even Adrian, a man so traditional and rule-bound, could flirt.

I saw a different Adrian.

Dominant, assertive, fiercely possessive.

But not towards me.

My mind was a blank. Cold sweat streamed down my back, soaking my clothes.

What should I do?

I was a coward. I dared not wake Adrian and demand an explanation.

I was afraid of losing him.

I prayed and waited for Adrian to cut ties with the girl on his own.

This wait lasted two years.

By the third year, I couldnt wait anymore.

Fiona, Fiona, what are you thinking about?

The car had stopped at some point. Adrian wiggled a finger in front of my eyes.

I snapped back, answering his question: Im just tired. Lets just celebrate our anniversary at home.

Adrian never contradicted me, never disappointed me.

Even celebrating at home, Adrians anniversary preparations were perfect.

Gifts, flowers, candlelight dinnernothing was missed.

Adrian placed the sliced steak onto my plate.

He sought praise: Fiona, have my cooking skills improved? Shouldnt I get a reward?

He gently tapped his cheek with his index finger.

The candlelight flickered, dancing on his jade-like face, just as when we first met.

The first time Adrian cooked for me, he couldn't tell the difference between chives and green onions.

But that day, his braised fish was truly delicious.

I remembered it for a very, very long time, and still havent forgotten.

If I could, I wanted to eat his cooking for the rest of my life.

Adrian saw I wasnt moving, so he proactively moved closer to me, pressing a kiss on my cheek.

Our noses touched; I could even feel his breath.

Fiona, am I not attractive to you anymore? Youre always spaced out lately.

Hearing his jocular words, Calebs face inexplicably popped into my mind.

Caleb was very similar to him, yet different.

Caleb was just as thoughtful, just as gentle with me.

But Caleb would get jealous, would act playful.

I had never felt these emotions from Adrian.

A sudden, jarring ringtone broke my thoughts.

Adrian glanced at the caller ID and hastily hung up.

His actions were quick, but I saw his reluctance and hesitation.

The only person who could make Adrian show a different expression was Chloe.

If its an important call, just take it.

Adrian shook his head: Today is our anniversary. Nothing is more important than being with you.

Since he himself refused, I said nothing further.

But the phones ringtone, like a death knell, repeatedly interrupted Adrians and my conversation.

I grew a little annoyed: Just answer it.

Adrian gave me an apologetic look, then hurried to the balcony and picked up the call.

I didnt know what Chloe said to him, but his eyes changed instantly, seeming sharp yet also intrigued.

A quarter of an hour later, Adrian returned.

He stood before me, full of remorse: Fiona, something came up at school. I have to go.

I toyed with the phone in my pocket, asking, Will you be back tonight?

Adrian looked troubled: I dont know when Ill be able to finish. If I dont come back tonight, you should go to sleep first.

With that, he gently kissed my forehead.

Okay.

Having received my answer, he left in a hurry.

I didnt actually care if he came back or not; I just wanted to confirm.

Because Caleb had texted me.

He said he wanted to take me on a date.

When I got home, Adrian hadnt returned yet.

He came back from outside after I had taken a shower.

He must have drunk a lot, his eyes hazy.

Seeing me, his lips immediately curved upwards, and he flung himself at me, his voice tender: Fiona, I miss you so much.

If he didnt reek of cloying perfume, his words would be more convincing.

Adrian clearly realized this too, immediately springing up from me, hastily explaining.

Fiona, dont misunderstand, the smell on me

He stared fixedly at my neck, pointing at a red mark there, and asked through gritted teeth, Whats this?!

I instinctively raised my hand to touch it; it was probably just a lipstick stain I accidentally brushed on.

But my expression was calm, as if this was just a trivial matter: Its a hickey. Dont you recognize it?

It was the first time I had ever seen Adrian wear a the sky is falling expression.

It was both novel and amusing.

I brushed over the spot: Is it that strange? Adrian, havent you done these things to Chloe too?

Adrian felt as if his neck was tightly squeezed by a pair of large hands.

He forced a sentence through gritted teeth: You you knew?

Mm.

Adrian visibly panicked: When?

His trembling pupils told me he was afraid.

I revealed the truth: Three years ago, when you and she first got entangled, I knew.

Adrian suddenly remembered something.

Three years ago, when Chloe texted him, why did he read it but not reply?

He thought he had simply forgotten to reply, but it turned out I had seen it.

I asked: I showed no abnormalities, so you thought I hadnt found out, right?

No one knew how heartbroken I was then.

My heart felt as if it had been ripped from my body, a living hell.

Yet I had to hide my emotions, so Adrian wouldnt discover them.

Three years had almost worn away all my love and hatred.

I didnt want to continue like this.

Adrian, lets get a divorce.

Adrian could no longer maintain his usual gentle demeanor; he practically roared, I dont agree!

I couldnt help but frown: Then can you break it off with Chloe?

Adrian hesitated.

I gave him a knowing look: See? You cant let her go, Adrian. Your heart isnt with me anymore.

I just

Adrian tried to explain, but I cut him off.

Adrian, do you know? Chloe actually came to see me.

That conversation with Chloe was what made me truly decide to let go of Adrian.