Seven Years of Love Gone Down the Drain

Married for seven years, I carried Caelan Draven for ten long months.

As the production neared, his first love posted a photo of them on social media. They hugged tightly, a baby pacifier between them, with the caption, [Looking forward to the arrival of new life!]

I was fuming and could hardly wait to give birth.

On the brink of collapse, his frown was unmistakable when I called to ask where he was.

"Thalia, must you not cause any trouble at the moment? Selene is in the hospital and needs my help!"

****

The call ended abruptly.

As soon as I lay in the hospital bed, I stared at the wedding ring on my finger, a symbol of love now feeling like a cruel joke.

Thankfully, the last trace of him had also vanished.

I opened Caelan's chat, typed “Let’s get a divorce,” sent it and then wiped all his contact details from my phone.

Right after, I walked down the street, watching the loving couples around me, feeling confused.

When I promised Caelan I would tie the knot with him, I believed he was mine forever.

Yet, we had gone from joy to disdain in seven short years.

I had changed far too much in these years just to adjust to him.

Caelan, as the CEO of his company, expected me, his wife, to handle all the household chores. I gave up my lucrative job at a prestigious firm and quit my career to focus on being a housewife.

Like Caelan always said, women shouldn’t place too much value on material things. That's why I avoided cosmetics and never asked for gifts on holidays.

He claimed he was too busy, so I spent birthdays and anniversaries alone. And I hadn't made it a big deal.

It wasn’t until his first love came into the picture that I realized his requests were driven by someone else living in his heart.

Selene Lockhart, his first love, wanted to be his secretary and he not only agreed immediately but also lauded her ambition.

He meticulously selected gifts for every Valentine’s Day and anniversary, personally presenting them to her.

He spent most of his time wrapped up in Selene's world.

Meanwhile, as a full-time housewife, I endured the years; my patience stretched thin.

To Caelan, Selene was nothing short of an angel. He could do everything for her without a second thought.

Married for seven years, I had lost count of how many arguments we’d had over Selene.

I would become hysterical while he watched with cold detachment before finally snapping in frustration.

"Selene and I have been childhood sweethearts," he said, exasperated. "I’ve cared for her since she was young and treated her like a younger sister. Thalia, are you jealous? Are you throwing a tantrum?"

I stared silently at the couple’s watches on their wrists, feeling the weight of his words.

With just a few words, he saw me as a confident wife and into a jealous woman.

He didn’t even realize that his actions seemed like cheating to others.

At home, I stared at the things I’d bought to celebrate my pregnancy. The sight made me feel sick, so I threw them all in the trash.

After experiencing a miscarriage, my body had grown frail. Even the slightest movement left my legs shaky, forcing me to sink slowly onto the sofa before I could gather the strength to stand.

A key turning in the lock echoed from outside in the next few minutes.

And in one blink, Caelan walked in with Selene by his side.

Surprise flickered in his eyes the moment he saw me and he quickly let go of her hand.

"Didn't you say you’d be hospitalized for a while? Why are you back so soon?"

Caelan still recalled when I’d gone to the hospital a few days ago for a check-up, but he had no idea it was because I had miscarried.

A wave of heartache hit me, tightening my chest and making my body ache. I took a sip of water, keeping my expression composed.

Caelan assumed I was about to start another argument and quickly shielded Selene behind him, speaking in a rush.

"Thalia, don’t misunderstand. Selene hasn’t been feeling well. The doctor suggested an observation, so I brought her back,” Caelan explained.

He added, "You know it’s been less than six months since her last heart bypass and she’s already had two. If no one is with her, she could leave this world!”

I set the cup on the table and pulled out the divorce agreement I had prepared earlier.

Sighing, I declared, "Caelan, your affairs no longer concern me. This is the divorce agreement; please sign it.”

Caelan's expression darkened as he stared at the divorce agreement.

"Thalia, what are you doing?" Caelan asked, still clouded with confusion.

Meanwhile, Selene, standing off to the side, let a smile play on her lips.

“Thalia, this is all my fault. I shouldn’t have come here and caused you to misunderstand Mr. Draven. There’s nothing between us, I swear,” Selene clarified, but I knew she was lying.

Before she could leave, Caelan suddenly grabbed her arm, his glare fixed on me.

"Come on, don’t jump to conclusions. Selene and I have been ex-lovers, but you knew that when you married me,” Caelan added, too defensive. “I admit I had a bit to drink the other day, but it was just a moment of impulse. Who could’ve guessed it would lead to this?”

Upon clearing his throat, he said, “She has a heart condition. Pregnancy is already risky, but it’s her only wish in life. If she loses the baby, all hope is gone. You and Selene are both women. How could you not understand her feelings?”

Selene clung to Caelan’s arm, her grip tight as if drawing strength from him.

I nearly rolled my eyes. I wondered whether Caelan was still using his brain or was just too pretentious.

He blatantly exposed his affair right in front of me, then dared to claim that, as his wife, I should tolerate it. As a woman, I should understand it.

"Caelan, everything that needed to be said has been said. Sign the divorce agreement and do as you wish. This is where we say our goodbyes,” I retorted, still not falling into his trap.

Caelan stared at me, shocked.

He quickly stepped forward, grabbing my hand with a tone full of concern.

"Is this because you’re feeling unwell during the pregnancy? Let’s get Selene settled first and then I’ll buy you medicine,” he replied.

I shook his hand off, my voice steady and persistent, “No, Caelan, it’s over. We’re done.”

I turned away and entered the bedroom, pulling a suitcase from the corner.

"You have half an hour to pack your things. We’ll go to the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow to finalize the divorce.”

Caelan, taken aback, blurted out, "No way!"

Selene, hiding behind Caelan, quickly stepped forward, saying, "Thalia, you’ve got it all wrong. I never intended to ruin your marriage.”

She continued, “It’s just that I have congenital heart disease and a sudden miscarriage could be life-threatening. Caelan brought me back out of concern, wanting to care for me. If it bothers you this much, I’d rather not live at all!”

"Baby, I’m sorry. It’s not that Mom doesn’t want you, but someone just can’t stand it and I can’t force you to stay!”

She clutched her stomach and chest dramatically, her eyes darting to Caelan, clearly waiting for him to defend her.

Without hesitation, Caelan stepped forward, rushing toward me.

"Thalia, why are you pushing me further away? If it weren’t for you and your mother brainwashing me, how could Selene and I have missed each other? Don’t you know how you married me?" Caelan questioned me in a series of ways.

"What did I ever do to you?" I asked back as I clenched my fists, unable to keep my voice steady.

Upon looking at the face, I once loved deeply, a cold shiver ran through me.

It turned out that my kindness to Caelan had only ever felt like a prison to him.

At first, Caelan's investment failed and his company went bankrupt.

He found himself on the streets, unable to afford a steamed bun. I reached out to help him through those tough times.

As we spent time together, I gradually fell for the struggling young man with his hardship. I invited him into my home and shared everything with him.

Coming from a single-parent household, I understood the pain of broken relationships. My mother, scarred by her past, had always been fearful of me getting hurt in love.

When I shared my decision, my mother sighed but didn’t try to stop me.

She even took out the money she had saved to help him start a new business.

Upon discovering that this was all our savings, Caelan was astounded. He took my hand before my mother, solemnly vowing to cherish me for the rest of his life.

Seven years later, he had once again become the vibrant Caelan.

In the blink of an eye, he had forgotten his original promise. He even turned to accuse me of being shameless.

As soon as I returned to my senses, I said tremblingly, “Caelan, did you also forget the situation you were in before? Try to recall how much help we had for you.”

Caelan looked stunned as if the weight of past events had made him hesitant to continue blaming me.

Selene, noticing his expression, quickly came to his defense.

"Thalia, it’s been so long since then. Why can’t you move on? Even if you hadn’t invested, Caelan would have made a comeback. You’re just using money to hold him captive while he is down. What a shame!” Selene reacted, raising one brow at me.

As Selene spoke words, I didn’t listen.

My stares darkened at her, about to counter her claims, but I chose to pull myself back.

“Anyone knows how to move on, including me. But it's too questionable that you react even if this matter has nothing to do with you. Don't think that getting pregnant can lead to success overnight,” I countered, couldn't dare to hold it any longer.

"You!" She reacted and awkwardly fell silent.

Physically drained, I had no desire to continue arguing with Selene and Caelan. Besides, in the end, I was terrible in their eyes.

Furthermore, dredging up past sincerity would only leave me feeling embarrassed.

I gestured toward the door and said, “Please, leave. I can't welcome you here, so move out!”

Selene stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at me.

She said, "Thalia, what’s this about? I understand you’re upset that Caelan doesn’t care for you, but this is your marital property. The house is in Caelan’s name. How can you just kick us out?"

I responded, “Is Caelan's name on the property deed?”

“Of course not! The money to buy this house came solely from my mother and me,” I confirmed.

Back then, when he proposed to me while still broke, I feared others would label him a gold digger. To protect his dignity, I claimed that the house was his purchase.

Even after he made a fortune, he insisted on staying here, saying it was closest to the company and he didn’t want to renovate a new place.

But then again, this property was in my name.

With that, I fixed a cold gaze on Caelan.

“Caelan, this is my home. As you should know, I’m asking you to leave,” I commanded, making my voice clear.

Caelan frowned but took a step closer to Selene.

Selene, sensing that I was pushing too hard, quickly intervened.

"Thalia, don’t be like this. Just because you’re a housewife and the house is in your name doesn’t mean you can be so harsh. In today’s legal world, we all check the property deed.”

Before Selene could continue, I cut her off, “Pack your things and leave. Don’t worry about where to stay; you can go to a hotel for the night. Caelan will cover the room fee.”

I was so enraged that I nearly laughed out loud.

I grabbed the water bottle from the table and splashed it on their faces.

"Your words are so foul; it’s clear you don’t brush your teeth. Let me help with that!" I exclaimed.

Selene screamed and she and Caelan both stumbled backward in panic.

Caelan slipped and fell to the ground, accidentally pulling Selene down.

She immediately clutched her stomach and cried out in pain.

"Caelan, my stomach hurts. Please help me!” Selene cried out.

Caelan rushed to her side, lifting Selene into his arms.

Before he left, he turned to me, his face twisted in anger as he said, "Thalia, you’ll pay for this. If anything happens to Selene or the baby, I’ll make you regret it!”

The door slammed shut with a loud bang echoing around.

I sank onto the sofa, feeling heavy with sorrow.

I had given my best years to Caelan, only to be seen as the villain who ruined his image and Selene.

Tears welled up and I couldn’t hold them back.

After wiping them away, I called a staff to change the door locks.

My unexpected miscarriage had taken a toll on my body. Fearing any lasting effects, I scheduled a check-up at the hospital.

The next morning, just as I was about to leave, my mother’s neighbor called.

The news had taken me aback. It was said that my mother had suffered a sudden heart attack and was now in the hospital. Trembling with shock, I rushed to be by her side.

Outside the emergency room, the neighbor explained that my mother had received a strange phone call early that morning.

Whatever was said infuriated her to the point where she dropped her basket and stormed out, arguing with the caller on the street.

My mother, a gentle and kind elementary school teacher, had never shown such anger.

The neighbors said they had never seen her so upset, shouting, "How could my daughter do such a thing? If you keep slandering her, I won't stand for it!”

At that moment, my heart was in turmoil. I stood frozen, staring at the red light above the operating room door, barely able to breathe. Everything felt confusing and unreal.

When the lights finally dimmed, the doctor emerged with a medical report in hand, instructing me to pay and transfer my mother to the inpatient department. Confusion clouded my thoughts; why was this necessary?

Despite my bewilderment, my hands trembled as I hurried to the payment counter, terrified that even a moment’s delay might prevent my mother from receiving the best care. I couldn’t bear the thought of that happening.

Just then, I crossed paths with Caelan and Selene once more. Both of them noticed me.

The hall was crowded, but I was the only one with messy hair, looking like I was about to lose my mind.

Caelan looked at my anxious state and immediately assumed I had come to the hospital to bug him, something that had never crossed my mind.

He instinctively shielded Selene behind him, frowning at me as if he were ready to play her knight in shining armor.

"Why are you here? Haven't you caused Selene enough discomfort?" He asked.

I was so focused on completing the formalities that I didn’t acknowledge him.

Selene peeked out from behind Caelan, her gaze arrogant as if daring me to challenge his authority.

"Thalia, have some dignity. Caelan doesn’t want you. Stop fighting it. You've already pushed me to the point of hospitalization; do you need to take my life to feel satisfied?" she challenged, her eyebrows raised, completely oblivious to the real reason I was there.

It was as if she feared I might steal my husband back from her, the mistress who had already shattered our lives.

Upon hearing that, Caelan nodded in agreement, backing Selene.

"Let's discuss this once Selene recovers and returns home. Anyone causing trouble here will only embarrass themselves!" he declared, still clueless about the situation.

I glanced at the crowded payment window and then at Caelan, who was blocking my path. It took all my effort to keep from letting my frustration show.

“Are you out of your mind? Are you the only one allowed in the hospital? Just because you’re here doesn’t mean you have the right to take over it like Caelan. Stop interfering with me!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the hall.

I pushed past them with force, desperately trying to move forward.

My sudden outburst startled Caelan. He turned around and grasped my arm tightly.

"Thalia, why are you causing such a scene now?" he asked, bewildered.

His words made it seem like I was the unreasonable one.

He frowned, studying my face with a puzzled expression.

“You know I’m not an irresponsible man,” Caelan said, his voice firm. “I can’t just abandon Selene and disregard her life and death. Can’t you wait? Once this situation is resolved in ten months, I promise I’ll answer you the best I can.”

I stood still, knowing his affection was all fake.

After loving him for seven years, I finally gave up, only to realize that he was nothing extraordinary.

I shook off his hand, saying, “No need. I hope to see you next time on the way to divorce.”

I pushed through the crowd, leaving Caelan’s bewildered and struggling gaze behind me. After a while, he made a phone call.

“Help me pick up some nutritional supplements. I’ll visit Thalia’s mother in two days.”

Right after paying the fee, the doctor informed me that my mother’s condition remained critical and required two specific medications for treatment.

If she didn’t receive them as soon as possible, her condition could worsen at any moment.

Unfortunately, the hospital couldn’t provide the medication until the next day.

Desperate, I grabbed my coat and rushed out of the hospital.

Even though it was cold as it was already December, with snow covering the streets, I slipped back into the coat I had worn earlier. I raced through the city to find the medication that could save my mother.

The cold numbed my hands and feet, but it didn't stop me from continuing.

At last, I found the medicine in the suburbs.

I set it on the counter and reached for my phone to pay when suddenly, someone ran past me, snatching the bottle. The person shouted at the cashier, “I want all these medicines!”

I instantly went frantic, grabbing the medicine as it slipped from his grasp and clutching it tightly to my chest.

“Thief! This is mine!” I cried out, trying to reclaim it.

When the man turned around, I was shocked to see it was Caelan.

Selene trailed behind him, weakly holding her chest.

“Caelan, I’ve searched the entire city for this medicine. I finally found it,” I explained, desperation in my voice.

“Thalia, this is my life-saving medicine. Are you going to fight me for it?” Selene retorted, her tone dripping with resentment.

I had no intention of arguing. Time was slipping away. Turning my back on them, I quickly scanned the code to pay, determined to leave this nightmare behind.

Tears streamed down Selene’s face as she clung to Caelan.

“Caelan, I’m terrified. I have our baby growing inside me, so small and fragile. Without this medicine to protect my heart, I don’t think I can make it through the month,” she sobbed, her voice trembling with fear.

Caelan's expression softened instantly. He gently wiped Selene’s tears, then immediately snatched my phone away.

"Thalia, can't you see how much Selene is suffering?" Caelan's voice was laced with confusion. "She’s already in pain and now you’re fighting her for medicine? You're perfectly healthy. Do you need this so badly?"

His words revealed that he still hadn’t grasped the truth; it was never about me.

He continued, "I think you just want to hurt Selene. Say you’ll give her the medicine for free, or don’t blame me for what happens next!"

At that moment, it hit me: my mother's outburst, the sudden heart attack, it all made sense now. She must have answered a call from Selene and whatever was said had pushed her over the edge.

Selene destroyed my marriage, enraged my mother and now she dared to claim the medicine that could save her life. I wished she would suffer the same fate she had brought upon me.

Consumed by fury, I shouted, "I wish you both would die right now!"

My voice was so sharp that Caelan's hand trembled, nearly dropping the medicine bag.

Seeing my outburst, Selene wailed, clutching her chest dramatically.

“My heart hurts so much, Caelan,” she cried out. “Thalia despises me for carrying your child and wants us dead! You promised to protect me. This baby symbolizes our love; you can’t abandon us like this!”

As she sank to the floor, feigning that the lack of medicine was slowly killing her, I caught the pride in Selene’s eyes.

Seeing Selene, Caelan’s expression turned cold. He frowned and yelled at me, “Thalia, you’re heartless. How can you use someone’s life as a force in this matter? Hand over the medicine, now!”

With a wave of his hand, two bodyguards immediately appeared. One restrained me while the other seized the medicine bottle and handed it to Caelan.

Without hesitation, Caelan opened the bottle, gave Selene a tablet with some water and then turned to face me, his eyes cold and unforgiving.

“Thalia, don’t forget I’ve covered your mother’s medical expenses for years. If Selene’s treatment is delayed because of your stubbornness, I’ll reconsider my support,” Caelan warned.

What should have been a mutual responsibility in a marriage had been twisted into his charity.

Selene clung to Caelan’s hand, assuring him she felt much better.

Caelan gestured to the bodyguards, signaling them to release me.

Just as he was about to speak, my phone rang. The doctor’s urgent voice crackled through the line.

"Miss Thalia, have you found the medicine? The patient needs it urgently. If it isn’t delivered within the next half hour, your mother’s condition could become critical!”