Without Him, I Thrive

My fiancé gave away my birthday gift to another woman.

That woman even posted on social media:

"My boyfriend said this treasure would look tacky on his wife. Says I wear it so much better."

"I mentioned I wanted it, and he just handed it over. That old hag still has no idea."

My hands trembled as I stared at the globally limited-edition Van Cleef & Arpels necklace on the screen. Then a private message notification popped up.

I clicked it open—a video.

My fiancé was there, arms wrapped around a completely naked woman, groaning:

"Oh baby, you're so wet. You feel incredible."

"Sweetheart, who makes you feel better—me or that boring wife of yours?"

"You, of course, my treasure. Don't even mention that woman who just lies there like a corpse. You're the one who makes me feel alive!"

In that instant, I felt all the blood drain from my body. My hands and feet went ice-cold, like a corpse myself.

Benjamin White. Since you've betrayed me, this wedding will be my gift to both of you.

The profile picture of the account that sent me the message showed a car's passenger seat.

I'd recognize that Maybach's leather upholstery pattern anywhere.

Benjamin was a neat freak. He never allowed anyone to eat or drink in his passenger seat—not even me. I always had to be careful.

But in the corner of that photo sat a half-finished coffee cup.

So in his eyes, she was the one worth indulging.

The door lock beeped.

I quickly shut off my phone.

As the screen went dark, I caught a glimpse of my own face—pale as paper.

Benjamin pushed the door open. He shrugged off his suit jacket and hung it on the coat rack, revealing a perfectly tailored white dress shirt underneath.

His sleeves were rolled up slightly, exposing his lean, muscular forearms.

That exterior—yes, it was the kind that made women fall at his feet.

"Still up?"

He walked over. The faint scent of tobacco clung to him, along with a sickeningly sweet perfume.

He wrapped his arms around me naturally, his body heat seeping through my thin tank top. My rational mind screamed at me to push him away—push away this man who'd broken my heart.

But my body melted into his embrace instead.

"Why are you wearing so little at home? You must've missed me, huh?"

"I was just about to take a shower…"

His mouth crashed onto mine, tongue invading. One hand slid expertly up my back, fingers tangling in my hair, tilting my head back.

The other hand moved downward, gripping my breast through the fabric. He squeezed hard, thumb circling until he felt the hardened peak.

He pinched it sharply. A jolt of electricity shot straight to my core.

I completely lost control of my body.

I couldn't stop myself from kissing him back, arching into him. My body betrayed how desperately I wanted him.

His hand moved lower, sliding past my hip. His fingers found my slick, swollen clit and pressed with precision, circling that sensitive spot.

"Say you missed me."

His voice was husky.

"God, please…"

I moaned, grinding against his hand, legs trembling.

I clawed at his shirt, desperate to feel his skin, wanting to drag him to the floor.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed on the counter.

He glanced at the caller ID. His expression flickered with panic.

He hit decline. "Damn it, babe, I have to go. Urgent work thing just came up."

I stood there, breathless, watching him grab his keys and head for the door—leaving me behind.

After all these years together, he knew my body inside and out.

If I hadn't seen that message, I probably would've thought I was the luckiest woman in the world.

I took a deep breath, swallowing the metallic taste rising in my throat.

I picked up my phone again and clicked into the profile of the account that had sent me that message.

Her timeline was constantly updated.

"Day 1,000 with him! He said he had a business trip this week, but really he's taking me to Disneyland!"

The date—last month.

That day, Benjamin told me he was going to Celestria for a merger negotiation. When he came back, he brought me a limited-edition skincare set.

I felt so bad about how hard he was working. I made him soup.

While he drank it, I noticed a red mark on his neck.

He said it was a mosquito bite.

In the dead of winter in Celestria—mosquitoes?

"He says his fiancée is so boring. Just lies there like a dead fish in bed. No passion at all."

"But me? I'm different. He says I'm his queen. He loves kneeling in front of me and sucking my toes~"

Below that post was a screenshot of a text conversation.

The contact name: "White."

White: "Don't make a fuss tonight. She's on her period. I need to go home and play the part."

SpoiledPrincess: "Hmph. You'd better make it up to me tomorrow. I want it three times!"

White: "Deal. Whatever you want, you little minx."

That date—it was the night I was doubled over in agony from cramps.

Benjamin had fed me painkillers and held me all night, soothing me.

I was so moved. I thought as long as I had him, the pain didn't matter.

Turns out, while he was holding me, all he could think about was how to satisfy another woman's desires.

Turns out, when I was too exhausted from work or too sick to perform in bed, I became a "lifeless doll" with "no appeal" in his mouth.

We'd been together for five years. Our families knew each other well.

He was busy with work, so I handled social obligations and kept the household running.

He needed to focus on his career, so I took care of both our parents.

Over the years, whenever his mom or dad got sick and needed hospitalization, I was the one who stayed by their side, running myself ragged.

And yet, I became the "boring," "stiff," "embarrassing" old woman in his eyes.

Ten days.

In ten days, we were supposed to get married.

And in ten days, I'd give them both a gift they'd never forget.