Three Years as His Stand-In , She's Done

On their third wedding anniversary, Wendy Percy discovered her husband was cheating.

On his computer's social media account, she saw photos sent by her sister, Rita Percy.

A diamond necklace wrapped around snow-white skin, the pendant resting right in the cleavage, radiating temptation.

[Felix, this necklace looks so good on my skin tone. You have great taste.]

[Are you coming to keep me company tonight? My wound still hurts a bit...]

[Oh, Mom and Dad want you to come over for dinner. Remember to come tomorrow night~]

She recognized this necklace.

Three years ago, she had accidentally seen the design sketch for this necklace. Felix Talbot had designed it himself, with the words "for my beloved" written on it.

She had thought, maybe it was for her.

Even if he didn't love her, after three years of marriage, maybe someday...

Wendy stared at the screen for a long time, her heart aching with cold.

With trembling hands, she scrolled up.

There weren't many messages, but each one was painful to read.

The last message was sent at 7:30 PM.

Felix had said he had an urgent meeting at the company tonight. Turns out the urgent meeting was in Rita's bed.

Wendy dug her nails hard into her palm, her knuckles turning white.

With red eyes, she looked around.

The dining table was covered with food she'd spent all afternoon preparing. Balloons hung around the room, and "Happy 3rd Anniversary" was posted on the wall.

Looking at all this, she only felt it was ironic and ridiculous.

The Percy family and the Talbot family were old family friends who had arranged a marriage long ago.

She had known since childhood that she would marry Felix, and she had loved him for over ten years.

But then Rita, the real daughter, came back. She said she liked Felix, and Felix's bride-to-be became Rita.

She didn't fight it. She accepted it.

Until that night, when they accidentally slept together.

For these three years, Felix had been cold and distant toward her, convinced she had schemed her way into his bed.

But he never thought about how back then, when he was "terminally ill," Rita had abandoned him.

Only she had stayed by his side.

To take care of him, she quit her job and became a full-time housewife, spending every day and night revolving around him, only to realize in the end it was all just self-delusion.

Wendy's throat tightened. She walked over and tore down those words from the wall with all her strength.

Just then, she heard sounds from outside the door.

It was Felix.

Wendy thought he wouldn't come home, since he was supposed to meet Rita. Seeing him suddenly made her feel dazed.

He stood at the door in a black suit, tall with long legs, handsome features, a high nose bridge, his whole being radiating an air of nobility.

This was the heir of the Talbot family, who ruled Riverton City.

He won national awards in physics and chemistry at twelve, closed his first business deal at eighteen, graduated with his PhD at twenty—the man every woman in Riverton City wanted to marry.

His life was like he had cheat codes, perfect to the point of being unreachable.

Felix walked in with long strides, looking into her eyes, his voice deep and magnetic. "Were you crying?"

Wendy shook her head. She asked, "What day is today?"

Felix's face showed no expression. "Our wedding anniversary. What, you want a gift?"

So he remembered.

But remembering hurt more than forgetting, just like how he always believed she married him for money—that hurt too.

Wendy took a deep breath, looking at his face.

"Rita's back. I saw that diamond necklace too."

Felix fell silent.

No explanation whatsoever.

Wendy laughed. As she laughed, tears fell. "Felix, what have I been to you these three years? A decoration? A tool so you can answer to your parents?"

"Wendy." Felix's expression darkened. "Watch your words."

He seemed unwilling to argue, unwilling to waste time on her, and turned to head upstairs.

See, it was always like this.

In three years of marriage, whenever they fought—no, more accurately, whenever she confronted him—he was always this calm and silent.

As if she were an out-of-control lunatic, while he remained coldly sober.

Wendy's fingers trembled. That breath surged through her chest, releasing all the grievances accumulated over three years.

She closed her eyes, her red lips curving.

"Let's get divorced."

Felix's footsteps stopped.

He turned around, those eyes that were always indifferent and distant now locked tightly on her face for the first time.

"What did you say?"