Crossing the seas to see you.

At the Xu Corporation Mid-Autumn Festival gala, someone had the audacity to offer Xu Yuan a model, right in front of me. Xu Yuan, usually unflappable, faltered for a moment. The model bore a striking resemblance to his deceased first love.

Xu Yuan, in a rare moment of levity, remarked, "Offering me a woman in front of my wife? You're quite bold."

The man chuckled. "Miss Zhu is so generous. I'm sure she won't mind such a small thing."

It wasn’t that I didn't mind. They knew I couldn't mind. A charity case raised by the Xu family wouldn't dare question the new CEO.

But I was tired. Looking at Xu Yuan, barely concealing his amusement, I couldn’t bring myself to maintain the Xu family’s facade any longer.

1.

Before Xu Yuan could respond, I marched over and, with a gentle nudge, sent the champagne tower crashing to the floor. Just like my feelings for him.

Glass and champagne sprayed everywhere. Chaos erupted. Someone muttered, "Zhu Yunjin’s lost it."

I'd ruined the Xu Corporation’s gala. But Xu Yuan didn’t seem to care. PR was already ushering guests out, and cleanup crews were at work.

The model remained, standing quietly behind Xu Yuan. Even her demeanor mirrored his lost love. Standing there, next to her, I looked like the crazy one.

Xu Yuan twirled his wedding ring. "What’s with the tantrum?" he asked casually. "If you don't want to see her around, I’ll have her stay elsewhere. Don't worry, I promised Grandpa I wouldn't replace you."

The model chimed in, her voice sweet and innocent, “Miss Zhu, I simply admire Mr. Xu. I would never threaten your position. And really, why so upset? A man like Mr. Xu can’t be expected to have only one woman.”

I took off my wedding ring and held it out to Xu Yuan. "Here. Take it back."

He raised an eyebrow, took the ring, and tossed it to the model. “There you go. A few hundred thousand dollars, and Miss Zhu doesn’t want it.” He smirked and turned to his secretary. “Someone teach Miss Zhu some manners. I don’t want to see another display like this.”

He paused, then took off his own ring and tossed it on the floor. It rolled to a stop at my feet. "Since we're discarding rings, let’s discard them all."

2.

Xu Yuan left, the engine of his car echoing in the night. His secretary sighed. "Miss Zhu, why provoke him? You know he resents you." She shook her head. "Let it go. It’s not worth it."

I picked up the ring and tossed it in the trash. "Go on, Meng. I'm fine."

She gave me one last concerned look and left.

I took a taxi back to the Xu mansion. Xu Yuan wasn't there. I changed out of my gown, pulled out a suitcase, and packed my meager belongings. Other couples fought about divorce, about assets. All I had to show for my marriage to Xu Yuan was a matching ring.

Our wedding had been the society event of the year. But we didn’t even have a marriage license. I still remembered his words on our wedding day: "Zhu Yunjin, there's only room for Shu Yu in my heart and on my family registry. You shouldn't have...