My husband, Evan Corven, has an extreme case of germophobia. We've been married five years, and we've never once shared a bed.

People whispered behind my back, calling me a hen that can't lay eggs. Even my mother can barely hide her disappointment—forcing me down bitter herbal medicines, convinced they'll somehow cure me.

I always tried to be understanding about Evan's issues, swallowing my pride and keeping my mouth shut.

But one day, I brought him soup at his office, only to walk in on him French kissing his 20-year-old intern, his hands wandering to places that should have been off-limits.

Suddenly, I recalled the time I fainted from low blood sugar and instinctively reached out to steady myself against him. I'll never forget how he scrubbed every spot I touched, rubbing until his skin turned red.

So, his "germaphobia" was just an excuse. He simply didn't want to touch me.

***

"Baby, you're so sweet."

The sound of water and Evan's syrupy sweet talk tangled together, so thickly it made me want to throw up.

The intern, Aveline Moren, pouted and teased, "Am I sweeter, or is your wife?

"Didn't she say she was bringing you soup? Must be tough, an old woman trying so hard to save her marriage."

"What?" Evan stiffened. "When did she say that? Let me call her."

Right on cue, my phone rang. Numbly, I answered.

"Babe, I have to fly out to Portland for work today. Forgot to tell you—don't bother bringing the soup.

"When I get back, it'll be your birthday. I promise I'll have a huge surprise for you."

A surprise? I let out a bitter laugh. More like shock than joy, I'm sure.

Swallowing the ache in my chest, I replied, "Okay."

He didn't notice anything off in my voice, just let out a long sigh of relief and hung up.

The office door opened. I quickly ducked into the shadowy corner of the hallway.

Aveline strutted out in a miniskirt, her pale thighs brushing against Evan's dress pants. "You lied to your wife about the business trip, so you'd better make it up to me."

Evan's voice was thick with desire. "I'll make sure you're satisfied, you little minx."

My stomach lurched. I had to steady myself against the wall, dry-heaving, tears streaming down my face.

We'd been together ten years, married for five, and it turns out I was nothing but the punchline to a sick joke.

Suddenly, a booking notification from Whisper Garden Love Hotel popped up on my phone. Evan, ever impatient, must have forgotten his membership was tied to my card.

For a long moment, I just stared at the screen. Then, almost on autopilot, I opened the tracking app I hadn't touched in five years.

Back when we first got married, Evan set up the app for me, smiling as he said, "With this, you'll always know where I am, no matter what I'm doing."

All these years, I'd trusted him completely. I never even opened it.

But today...

"Stop it, not there!" Aveline's voice was coy.

"What's the problem? There's nowhere I haven't kissed you."

Their moans and laughter spilled through the phone. I let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh.

His so-called "germaphobia" felt like a slap across my face—a sting that went straight to my heart.

Aveline's voice turned sultry. "Evan, didn't you say you never loved her? Why are we keeping this a secret?"

"She owns half the company," Evan replied, his voice rough. "A divorce would be too much trouble. But I've never even touched her. You're the only one I want, you little temptress."

Aveline pouted. "I don't care. Figure it out."

Evan sighed indulgently. "Alright. For you, I'll make sure she leaves with nothing."

I felt the blood in my veins freeze solid.

Years ago, when the Corven family's finances were in shambles, I invested everything my late father left me to rescue Evan's company.

Back then, he gave me half the shares and, with tears in his eyes, promised, "Elira, I'll always treat you well. I'll never let you down."

But now, not only was he tangled up with a girl half my age—he wanted to take everything from me.

I closed my eyes, hands shaking as I dialed my lawyer. "Put me in touch with the person who wanted to buy my shares. I'm ready to sell."

He sounded surprised. "Ms. Vance, didn't you want to draft a transfer agreement for your husband?"

"I've changed my mind." I let out a bitter laugh. "And send me the divorce papers I left with you."

Those were the papers Evan signed right after our wedding.

He said if he ever did something I couldn't forgive, I should leave without hesitation.

Neither of us ever thought those words would come true.

Staggering home, I collapsed onto the bed. Staring at the photos lining the wall across from me, all I felt was sorrow.

The shy girl from my school days, the bright smiles during our whirlwind romance, the calm routine of married life, and now... nothing but emptiness.

I realized it had been ages since we'd taken a photo together.

Three days later, Evan returned, bringing a bouquet of roses. "Babe, I missed you so much. Look, I brought you flowers—do you like them?"

I glanced at them. They were pink—my least favorite color.

He didn't care about my reaction and just hurried off to the bathroom.

I used to make excuses for his obsession with cleanliness. Now, it just felt hypocritical and sickening.

I picked up the flowers. The petals were already wilting, and tucked among them was a card that read, "To my beloved Aveline."

I let out a bitter laugh. Of course.

Evan came out, towel-drying his hair. "What's so funny, babe? You look so happy."

I crumpled up the card and shook my head slightly. "It's nothing."

He stepped closer but still kept his distance. "By the way, your birthday's coming up in three days. We should do something special. If there's anything you want, just let me know."

Looking at the space he kept between us, all I felt was sadness.

All these years, there had always been this distance between us.

Everyone said he was young, successful, and doted on me. I'd even convinced myself of that.

But now, with Aveline in the picture, I finally understood—the distance between us was like a galaxy, impossible to cross.

Swallowing my bitterness, I forced a smile and asked, "Alright, but what if you can't give me what I want?"

"Elira, anything I have, I'll give you," he replied gently. "And if that's not enough, then maybe in the next life, or the one after that."

His sweet words felt like knives, twisting deeper into my heart.

I knew there would be no next time for us.

Tears fell before I could stop them. He rushed to hand me a tissue, just as my hand reached up to wipe my face.

His expression twisted in discomfort. He muttered, "Sorry," and hurried into the bathroom.

The sound of running water and the harsh squirt of sanitizer were painfully loud.

The tissue fell to the floor, without wiping away a single tear.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Aveline stood at the door, her eyes cold and challenging. "Ms. Vance, I'm here to take Mr. Corven to his meeting."

"Didn't I tell you to wait downstairs?" Evan rushed out, his eyes darting.

Aveline pouted. "It's freezing outside. The snow's coming down hard."

Evan's concern was obvious. He quickly grabbed his coat from the rack and draped it over Aveline's shoulders.

Catching my gaze, he covered it up with a sigh. "She's just a kid. I don't want her catching a cold and missing work."

His words sent me back to a snowy day long ago when my mother made me stand outside as punishment.

Evan's nose was red from the cold, but he stubbornly wrapped his coat around me. "It's freezing. If you get sick, you'll miss school."

My knees still ache when it snows, and that coat ended up in the trash, but after my father died, it was the only warmth I had.

Clinging to one last shred of hope, I spoke, my voice trembling. "My leg hurts so much. Can you stay with me tonight?"

Evan paused, annoyance flashing in his eyes. "Elira, if you're not feeling well, see a doctor. Don't act like a child."

I stared blankly as the door slammed shut, my heart sinking lower and lower.

Five minutes later, the doorbell rang again.

I thought it was Evan and hurried to open the door—only to find Aveline.

"Elira Vance, stop playing games. He doesn't love you," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "Want to bet? Even on your birthday, he'll be with me.

"After all, you've been married five years and you're still a prude—while he's been with me more times than I can count."

I thought I'd lose control, but I didn't. I was eerily calm.

Back in my room, I took out the divorce papers and signed my name.

By evening, Evan finally came home. He was wearing the same coat he'd draped over Aveline, and there was a trace of satisfaction still lingering on his face.

Seeing me sitting blankly on the couch, he rubbed his brow apologetically. "Elira, this meeting was really important, I..."

"I get it." I cut him off calmly, not saying another word.

"Don't be upset. I landed a huge project this time—how about I take you to an auction?" He crouched down in front of me, looking helpless. "I promised I'd give you the best birthday present."

Outside, icy snowflakes stung my face—cold and sharp.

In the front passenger seat, Aveline batted her eyes. "Hi, Ms. Vance."

"Aveline gets carsick, Elira, can you take the back?" Evan avoided my gaze as he opened the rear door for me.

If it were before, I would have made a scene, but now I just nodded faintly and got in quietly.

Evan hesitated for a moment, then closed the door.

Aveline laughed and joked the whole way, making Evan smile again and again. He never noticed how much I'd changed.

I closed my eyes, trying to rest, but the nausea wouldn't go away.

I got carsick too. He once promised the front seat was just for me. But now, all of that was forgotten.

When we got out, I was so sick I could barely stand.

Aveline pretended to be concerned, handing me a bottle of water, but her voice was light and cutting. "It's pathetic, old women like you acting all fragile."

I looked up, my face pale, and sure enough, I saw Evan's brow furrow in discomfort.

Of course—he's a total germaphobe when it comes to me.

At the auction.

Item after item went by, but I never raised my paddle once.

Evan, on the other hand, bid on a pink diamond and The Rose Manor over 500 hectares, then tried to cover it up, adding, "My business partner's daughter is only nine—she loves pink. These are for her."

I couldn't help but let out a sarcastic laugh.

Aveline could barely contain her delight, while Evan kept spinning his clumsy lies.

"The final item, the Eternal Heart Necklace. Legend has it that if you give this to your beloved, you'll have happiness forever," the auctioneer announced, making countless women's eyes light up.

Aveline was no exception. Evan glanced at her, then immediately raised his paddle. "I'll raise my bid."

The room erupted in excitement.

"No wonder Mr. Corven is so famous—he's loved his wife faithfully for years. So enviable."

"That's true love. Mrs. Corven must have done a lot of good deeds in her last life."

My eyes were full of sorrow.

True love? That necklace wasn't even meant for me.

Evan looked at me, his eyes gentle and affectionate. "Elira, your birthday present. Do you like it?"

Behind him, Aveline's glare was venomous.

"It's beautiful," I said calmly. "And I've prepared a special gift for your birthday, too. I hope you'll like it."

The auction house took the necklace away, saying they needed to engrave my name on it.

When we got home, Aveline suddenly sent me a photo. The Eternal Heart Necklace shimmered around her neck, but she quickly deleted the message. "Ms. Vance, I sent it by mistake. Hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. After all, I don't care for dirty things," I replied coolly. "I'm a bit of a neat freak myself."

I tossed my phone aside just as Evan walked in, holding out a gift box. "It's your birthday dress, Elira. See if you like it!"

I opened the box calmly.

It was a beautiful gown—unfortunately, it was pink, and in a mermaid cut, my absolute least favorite style.

"What's this supposed to mean?" I looked up at him.

He raised his hand to his mouth, covering a nervous cough. "I thought you could try something different for a change."

I glanced at the dress, clearly not my size, and let out a sarcastic laugh, but didn't argue. "Forget it. I have other dresses."

He quickly took it back. "Right... Okay, next time I'll get you something you actually like."

At the birthday party.

Evan had rented out a cruise ship just to celebrate my birthday. The guests had all arrived, but Evan was nowhere to be seen.

Whispers started spreading through the crowd.

"I heard rumors about the Corven couple splitting up, but I didn't believe it."

"In our circle, five years with no kids? Mr. Corven's patience is remarkable."

My mother pinched me hard, her nails digging in. "You useless thing—you can't even keep Evan. Why did I bother raising you?"

I sidestepped her, giving a mocking smile. "He's the one who's late. What does that have to do with me?"

Over the years, she'd squeezed plenty of money out of Evan, treating him better than her own son. When I couldn't get expecting, she forced all kinds of supplements down my throat.

At first, I thought she cared. Until she said, "What are you, a hen that can't lay eggs? What about your brother's business?"

That was when my heart turned completely cold, and I gave up hope for my family.

"If you weren't so useless, if you could give us a child or two, your brother wouldn't still be unemployed." She shot me a vicious glare. "I'm warning you—if you die, you die a Corven, you hear me?"

Nearly an hour passed before Evan finally rushed in. Behind him, Aveline was wearing that pink mermaid dress, love bites visible on her neck.

My mother greeted him with a smile. "Evan, you're so busy with work. Elira, this little brat, can wait as long as you need.

"About your brother-in-law's business—"

Evan frowned. "Leyla, today is Elira's birthday. Let's discuss this in private."

He walked over to me, his tone low. "Sorry, Elira, something came up."

I smiled slightly, my voice calm and clear.

"It's fine. I actually admire you, Evan. You couldn't even wait until after your wife's birthday party to sleep with your little intern.

"But you're a bit late, aren't you? Looks like she's already on her second round."

The giant screen split into two feeds.

On one side, Evan and Aveline tangled together. On the other, Aveline with a parade of different men.

As Evan stared at me in shock, I slowly stepped onto the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have three announcements to make.

"First, Evan and I are officially divorced.

"Second, I have sold all of my 50% shares in Corven Group. From now on, the Corven family has nothing to do with me.

"And third, congratulations to Mr. Corven, who managed to overcome his crippling germophobia and find true love with a woman who's been with half the city. I wish them a happy, fruitful life together!"