Too Late to Love

On my birthday, I received an anonymous text message: [Mrs. Smith, your husband is cheating on you.]

There was a photo attached.

In the photo, a girl was sitting on my husband's lap. She was beautiful, with golden curly hair draped over her shoulders, her face full of youthful innocence, looking just like a doll.

And my husband, Liam Smith, had his arm around the girl's waist, his head tilted back, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, gazing at her with deep affection and adoration.

My heart clenched suddenly, and my hands wouldn't stop shaking.

Just then, Liam walked out of the bedroom.

I quickly put down my phone, turned around, and went into the kitchen, pretending to wash a glass.

"I need to go out for a bit."

Liam's voice came from behind me, cold and distant as always.

I turned off the faucet without looking back: "Will you be home for dinner tonight?"

"Yes." He paused, then continued: "Lily's coming back today. It happens to be her graduation day, so let's celebrate together."

Lily Smith was the Smith family's adopted daughter. She had gone abroad to study a few years ago, so I had never met her.

Liam remembered his adopted sister's graduation day, but completely forgot my birthday.

My nails dug deep into my palms as I tried to stay calm: "Okay, got it."

I didn't ask him about the photo. I was afraid to know the truth.

All afternoon, I couldn't stop thinking about that photo.

What kind of girl could make my usually cold and proud husband show such a gentle smile?

At seven o'clock in the evening, the doorbell rang right on time.

Liam appeared at my door with Lily.

When I saw Lily with her golden curly hair, I froze instantly.

So my husband's affair was with his adopted sister!

Lily wore the champagne-colored dress from the photo, a sweet smile, looking like an innocent little princess.

She clung intimately to Liam's arm, her eyes challenging as she looked me over: "So this is my sister-in-law. She looks different from what I imagined."

Liam patted the back of her hand affectionately: "Let's go in. See what gift I've prepared for you."

From start to finish, his eyes never lingered on me, as if I were just a maid responsible for opening the door.

I silently followed behind them, watching as Liam pulled out an exquisitely wrapped gift box from under the coffee table and handed it to Lily.

It was a necklace I had seen while shopping a few days ago. I had looked at it a few times, but Liam said it didn't suit me.

Turns out it wasn't that it didn't suit me—he had already planned to give it to his dear little sister.

"Thank you, Liam! I knew you were the best to me!" Lily cheered, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed Liam on the cheek.

Liam didn't dodge. He even reached out and smoothed her slightly messy curls.

It was a tenderness I had never seen before.

At the dinner table, their conversation revolved entirely around Lily's excellent achievements abroad.

"Liam, look, this is the international design award I just won." Lily proudly showed off her certificate, glancing at me casually, "I heard Sophia also studied design before. I wonder if she has any work? Can I take a look?"

"What works could she have?" Liam placed a steak on her plate, saying flatly, "She's just a housewife."

My hand gripping the fork suddenly tightened, my knuckles turning white.

He had probably forgotten that three years ago, I graduated first in my class from Novaria's top art academy and was called a once-in-a-century talent.

But to support his career, I willingly forwent the chance to study at a top design firm abroad and became a housewife.

Lily blinked her innocent big eyes, her voice sweet: "Liam, don't say that about Sophia. She takes such good care of the house; it's hard work, too. Not like me, I can only draw and can't even cook."

As she spoke, she pointed at the steak on her plate and pouted playfully, "Liam, this is so hard to cut."

Liam didn't hesitate for a second. He took the steak from her plate to his, skillfully cut it into small pieces, then set it back on her plate.

The whole process was smooth, as if he had done it many times before.

We had been married for three years, and he had never cut a steak for me once. We rarely even ate together.

Back then, I was the one who insisted on marrying Liam. I had a crush on him for years, and when I found out he was single, I even stopped going to school, making a fuss about marrying him.

My parents always spoiled me, so they discussed the marriage with the Smith family.

The Smith family was wary of my parents' standing in elite circles, so they said little and quickly agreed to the marriage.

In everyone's eyes, Liam and I were just a business marriage. He didn't love me.

And that was indeed the case. In all our years of marriage, Liam had never touched me. We rarely even shared a bed.

I thought that was just his nature, but then I saw that photo...

Thinking of that photo, my stomach turned, and I couldn't take it anymore. I suddenly stood up.

Liam's face darkened, and he scolded disapprovingly: "What's wrong with you? You have no manners at all!"

"I'm not feeling well. I'm going to rest."

I didn't act humbly like usual. Instead, I turned and went back to my room.

My chest felt tight and stuffy, making it hard to breathe.

I walked to the vanity and looked at my pale face in the mirror, then thought of Lily's bright and delicate face. My eyes couldn't help but turn red.

Just then, my phone suddenly rang.

"Ms. Davis? This is HR from Elegant Design Company. We contacted you before." A gentle male voice came from the other end.

Elegant Design Company was a top design firm abroad. Three years ago, they offered me a position, but I turned it down for Liam.

They had contacted me a few more times after that, but I politely declined each time.

"What is it?" My voice was a bit hoarse.

"Our company has a very important project in Emerald City recently. The director has seen your portfolio and is very impressed. We'd like to invite you again to join our team as a lead designer. We hope you'll consider it..."

"No need to consider." My hand tightened slightly around the phone, my tone calm: "I'll do it."

"That's wonderful! Ms. Davis, we welcome you anytime. I'll send the specific onboarding details to your email."

Not long after I hung up, Liam came in.

"Why did you go back to your room in the middle of dinner? How awkward for Lily?"

His words showed no concern for me, only favoritism toward his adopted sister.

I stared at him intently and asked, "Do you know what day it is today?"

He frowned, a hint of impatience in his eyes: "Isn't it Lily's graduation day?"

He really didn't remember my birthday.

In that moment, my heart sank completely to the bottom, and even the last bit of hope was gone.

My three years of devotion now seemed so ridiculous.

"Liam." I spoke calmly, "Let's get a divorce."