The Day I Stopped Loving You

On the night of our third wedding anniversary, I found a prenatal exam slip in Nathan Sterling's suit pocket.

The name on it was Mia Lawson—his first love, the one who got away.

Eight weeks pregnant—exactly when we'd agreed to start trying for a baby.

Nathan was humming in the shower.

I sat on the edge of the bed, folded the slip neatly, and slipped it back into his pocket.

Then I opened my banking app and started checking the accounts.

For three years, I'd managed his assets. I knew where every penny went.

He'd probably forgotten what he said when he begged me to marry him.

"Everything I have is yours."

Now I intended to make those words come true.

At dawn, Nathan woke up.

He reached for my hair instinctively, voice still thick with sleep. "Why are you up so early?"

I turned over, facing away from him.

"Had a nightmare."

Nathan chuckled softly and pulled me into his arms, chin resting on my head.

"Dreams are the opposite of reality."

He smelled faintly of cedarwood—the shower gel I'd picked for him.

In three years of marriage, I'd taken care of every detail of his life.

Suit style, tie color, breakfast preference.

Even his parents said Nathan Sterling seemed to come alive after marrying me.

I used to think it was a compliment.

Now it just makes me sick.

"What's the date today?"

"The 22nd." Nathan kissed my earlobe. "Come to a cocktail party with me tonight? Mr. Lambert wants to discuss the East District land project."

"No," I said. "I have a doctor's appointment."

Nathan froze mid-action.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

"Routine check-up." My tone was flat. "Don't you remember? I always go around this time of year."

Nathan was silent for several seconds.

"I'll go with you."

"No need."

I got out of bed and walked into the bathroom.

In the mirror, my face was pale, faint dark circles under my eyes.

I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on my face.

Nathan followed me in and hugged me from behind.

"Are you angry?" His voice was gentle. "I've been too busy lately. My fault."

"I'll cancel tonight's cocktail party and go with you for your check-up, then we'll have dinner at your favorite Japanese restaurant. How does that sound?"

In the past, when he coaxed me like this, I would soften.

Now I just wanted to laugh.

"Really, don't bother." I wiped my face. "You go ahead with your plans."

Nathan Sterling looked at me for a moment before finally relenting.

"Then I'll come back early tonight."

He turned and headed to the walk-in closet to change.

I stood at the bathroom door, watching him expertly knot his tie and choose cufflinks.

Those sapphire cufflinks were my birthday gift to him last year—he wore them almost every day.

"Nathan."

I suddenly spoke up.

"Hmm?"

"If one day I no longer love you... what would you do?"

Nathan paused midway through adjusting his tie.

He turned around, his brow slightly furrowed.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Just wondering."

Nathan walked over and cupped my face in his hands.

"You won't stop loving me," he said, dead serious. "I'm everything to you."

His eyes held mine—so tender, as if every word were genuine.

I nodded. "You're right."

Nathan Sterling left.

I listened to the car engine fade below, then opened my banking app.

The supplementary card Nathan gave me had a monthly spending limit of 500,000.

I rarely used it.

Over three years, I'd spent less than 200,000 total.

Most of it went toward gifts for him and health supplements for his parents.

The most expensive bag in my closet was the one Nathan gave me for our wedding—30,000.

He said he didn't like me carrying overly expensive bags, claiming they looked tacky.

I believed him.

Now, looking back, he just didn't want to spend money on me.