Seven Years for Nothing

2After I was rescued from the crocodile pit, I dragged my exhausted body back home. The shock I experienced today had already surpassed human limits. But when I returned home, I saw my beloved husband having a candlelight dinner with another woman. This candlelight dinner was something I had specially prepared after getting off work early that day. Emily took out her phone and snapped a photo of herself kissing Harry, then posted a celebratory message about reaching one million followers. Watching their affectionate display at that moment made me feel like I was the punchline of a joke. After finishing the candlelight dinner, Harry lovingly embraced Emily and headed to the bedroom on the second-floor. As for what they were about to do next, it was well-known to everyone. He looked at me with disdain as he passed by. "Next time you cook, use less salt. Emily can't stand it. And don’t waste the leftover food. Remember to wash the dishes after you eat." Tea

4I didn’t expect Harry to come to the hospital to see me.He took food out of a lunch box and then thoughtfully opened a bottle of milk for me.“This meal is specially made for you, so don’t be angry, okay? If you hadn’t been so temperamental, Emily wouldn’t have gotten hurt. What’s wrong with giving her some money as compensation?”I looked up at the “home-cooked meal” Harry mentioned.In the seven years we were married, he had never stepped into the kitchen. He didn’t know how to cook.The breakfast he made for me yesterday was also just so that he could speak on Emily’s behalf.The food he brought out was clearly takeaway, and even his way of comforting me felt so perfunctory.In our seven years of marriage, I had always felt like I was being emotionally manipulated by him.Clearly, it was my desire to travel with my beloved first love, but he insisted on placing all the blame on me.“What did I do to make you hate me so much? Are you trying to squeeze out my last bit of

6After three days of recovering in the hospital, I returned home to pack my things.As soon as I looked at my phone, I saw two messages from Harry.“The weather is cold today, remember to dress warmly.”“You’re weak, so take care of yourself. I’ve ordered takeaway for you.”Since he left with Emily, he sent me similar messages every day.But I never replied because it seemed unnecessary.His attempts to reach out now felt as light and worthless to me.As I looked around at the familiar surroundings upon returning home, a wave of bitterness washed over me.I had fallen in love with Harry during our third year of university. We spent a lot of time together in clubs and various activities, and love grew over time.He and Emily were each other’s first love when they entered university.When he confessed to me, he clearly stated he would forget her.Perhaps we had some moments of love, but love and promises only counted when we were in love.After packing my things, I sent Har

8After Harry returned home, he lit a cigarette in frustration.His mind was filled with memories of our time together.No matter how late he came home, I would always have a glass of milk waiting for him. I would always wait for him to have dinner as well.But now everything had changed, nothing was the same.He took out his phone and opened the chat with Emily.Since he and Emily parted ways in Heliaston, he noticed that she had been ignoring him.At first, he thought she was just busy with work, but later, no matter when he messaged her, she wouldn’t respond.Only when he occasionally called her would she make a vague excuse about being busy.After returning from their trip, Harry thought about bringing Emily home.But she said she had matters to attend to and needed to stay in Heliaston longer.After countless instances of sending unread messages to Emily, he decided to go to Heliaston the next day to see what she was up to.But when Harry saw her sitting on another man

10(Harry’s Side Story)My name is Harry, and I am thirty years old. People say that men are the strongest when they reach 30. Yet, my life seemed to have reached its end. In my life, I encountered two women I loved the most. One was my first love, Emily, from my university days. The other was my wife, who accompanied me for many years. My feelings for my first love blossomed during the most innocent and hazy times. At the height of my love for her, she broke up with me, stating she would study abroad and didn’t want to hold me back. But later, I learned she hadn’t gone to study abroad. She had found a better option and left with a new boyfriend. After she broke up with her new boyfriend overseas, she returned, hoping to come back to me. When she appeared before me again, my heart sank. I always found it hard to forget my beloved first love. I had two choices, either to be friends or to be lovers. Being friends would have been the better choice for both of us,