It was Valentine’s Day, as well as the seventh anniversary of Miranda and her husband Broad’s marriage. She hadn’t gone on a proper date with Broad in a long time, so this evening held special meaning for her. Dressed in a carefully chosen red dress, Miranda walked into the restaurant Broad had reserved, her heart fluttering with anticipation.
But as soon as she stepped inside, she froze in place.
There, at a cozy corner table, Broad was passionately kissing her best friend, Vivienne!
Miranda’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the scene. The two seemed completely indifferent to the stares of other diners. Vivienne, dressed in a sleek black dress, was perched on Broad’s lap, her arms draped around his neck as their lips locked in a fiery embrace.
Oh God. She wasn’t just imagining things. Her husband was exactly cheating on her-with her best friend, Vivienne.
A sharp pain stabbed through Miranda’s heart. She held back her tears and stormed forward, gritting her teeth. “Broad,” she snapped. “Today is our anniversary!”
Broad barely glanced up, his expression betraying annoyance rather than guilt. “It’s also Valentine’s Day,” he said flatly. “I’m here with Vivienne. What’s the problem?”
Miranda swallowed the lump in her throat, her voice slightly trembling with pain. “The problem is that I’m your wife!”
Vivienne let out a soft, mocking laugh. “Oh, Miranda, you’re so dense. Broad has been tired of you for ages. He’s done with you already. And this is already our third Valentine’s Day together.”
The words hit like a slap in Miranda’s mind, leaving her head spinning as though her entire world was collapsing. She stared at Broad, her voice desperate. “Broad, tell me this isn’t true. Broad, tell me…”
Broad’s reply was cold and emotionless, however. “Enough, Miranda. We should’ve ended this a long time ago.”
When she heard his words, her heart felt as though it had been torn to shreds. She could barely breathe. “Broad, how could you do this to me? I gave up everything for you-my family, my career…”
“Spare the act,” Vivienne cut in, smirking. “You married Broad for his money, didn’t you? Do you think we couldn’t see through you? A woman like you-what can you do besides housework?”
Tears welled in Miranda’s eyes. She turned to Broad, her voice thick with desperation. “Is that what you think too?”
Broad’s face twisted into a frown as his eyes swept over her terrible makeup. “Look at yourself. How can you look so disheveled and haggard? You’ve never taken care of your appearance. Seven years, and I’m sick of it already. This marriage should have ended a long time ago.”
Miranda staggered, dizzy with shock, and bit her lip hard to stop herself from crying aloud. She had sacrificed so much for Broad-she had even cut ties with her family-and now, he had utterly betrayed her.
Just then, Vivienne shoved her suddenly. Miranda, unprepared for the impact, stumbled backward and fell hard onto the floor with a loud thud. The jade pendant around her neck-a cherished keepsake from her deceased mother-slipped off and shattered on the ground with a crisp crack.
Miranda’s heart shattered along with it. That pendant was the only thing her mother had left her before passing away. Trembling, she picked up the broken pieces, tears streaming down her face and falling to the floor like rain.
Broad looked down at her coldly, his voice devoid of compassion. “Miranda, let’s divorce. A woman like you isn’t worthy of being my wife.”
He pulled out his wallet, scribbled a number on a check, and tossed it onto her lap. “Here. Isn’t this what you have been thinking about? God damn it! Take it and get lost!”
Miranda slowly lifted her head, her gaze piercing as she locked eyes with Broad.
At that moment, the only thing she felt for him was hatred. Her voice, though trembling, was resolute. “Broad, even if we divorce, it won’t be on your terms. I’ll be the one ending this marriage.”
With that, she stood up, clutching the broken pendant, and stomped on the check. Without a backward glance, she walked out of the restaurant.
Just as she exited, a red sports car pulled up beside her. Behind the wheel was a handsome, short-haired man. He frowned as he took in Miranda’s tear-streaked face but said nothing other than, “Get in.”
Miranda hesitated, surprised to see Eric, and still reeling from the scene in the restaurant. The pain in her chest made it hard to think clearly. She quickly wiped her tears and tried to decline his offer.
But out of the corner of her eye, she saw Broad and Vivienne stepping out of the restaurant. The last thing she wanted was to face them again. Without another word, she opened the car door, got in, and slammed it shut.
From the restaurant entrance, Broad and Vivienne watched as the red sports car roared away, disappearing into the night.
Broad’s brow furrowed slightly, a strange mix of jealousy and displeasure flickering in his chest. Beside him, Vivienne bit her lip, her eyes glinting as she said with a hint of envy, “Darling… that car doesn’t look cheap. When did Miranda start associating with people like that? Could she have been cheating on you all along?”
“Impossible,” Broad replied, his tone firm. “Miranda only has me. For seven years, she’s done nothing but revolve around me. She wouldn’t dare cheat. This is just one of her tricks to get me back.”
Yet, deep down, Broad felt an unfamiliar twinge of jealousy and unease. He couldn’t understand why Miranda’s actions were stirring such emotions within him.