Those Dreams Were Mine Alone
Chapter 1
The Fourth of July coincided with the fifth anniversary of my marriage to Serena Sinclair.
We had planned a trip to Napa Valley for the holiday, but on the morning of our departure, Serena hastily packed her suitcase and said, “There’s a last–minute work trip I need to attend to for the company.”
I believed her–until later that night when I scrolled through Instagram Stories and saw a post from her first love, Lucas Stone.
In the photo, the two of them were close, fingers intertwined, their matching silver bracelets glaringly prominent.
I let out a bitter laugh. Serena had made it to Napa Valley, just not with me.
I didn’t call to confront her. Instead, I calmly gave the post a like.
A minute later, Serena called me, her voice frantic. “This is just a misunderstanding. We just happened to run into each other while on business. I promise I’ll make it up to you next Fourth of July.”
I chuckled disdainfully. “No worries. Have fun.”
She paused, confused. “Why aren’t you jealous this time?”
When Serena returned a week later, dragging her oversized suitcase through the door, I stayed seated on the couch, my eyes on the TV.
In the past, I would have rushed to help her, taken her bag, and even swapped her shoes. Not this time.
Serena leaned against the door, frowning at me. “Elias, where are my slippers?”
¡ nodded toward the shoe rack. “In the cabinet. Help yourself.”
Her brows furrowed tighter, but after a brief hesitation, she relaxed and fetched the slippers herself.
Walking over to me, she glanced at the empty dining table and pouted. “I’m starving. Can you make me some chicken soup?”
Normally, I would’ve jumped up at any time, even at 3 a.m., to make her something. Today, I simply replied, “No time. Order takeout.”
Serena’s face flickered with annoyance, but she sighed and softened her tone. “Honey, I know the sudden trip upset you. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. I even brought you a gift. Can you forgive me?”
I didn’t look at her. “You’re overthinking it. I’m not mad.”
She froze, clearly surprised, before knitting her brows again.
From her suitcase, she pulled out a plain–wrapped gift. Inside was a navy–and–emerald tie.
She smiled expectantly. “Do you like it? I picked it out just for you.”
Three days earlier, Lucas had posted about a Fourth of July mall promotion: spend over $10,000 and get a complimentary tie. That exact tie was now Serena’s “thoughtful” gift.
kept my composure, took the tie, and thanked her flatly. “Appreciate it. You’re so thoughtful.”
Serena blinked, stunned. “That’s all you’re going to say?”
“Mm–hmm. What else would you like to hear?”
Her frown deepened as she clutched my arm, trying to explain. “You’re still mad, aren’t you? I already told you, Lucas and I just ran into each other at the airport and had a meal. That’s it.”
I nodded. “I know. I’m not mad.”
She stared at me, shocked. “Why aren’t you jealous this time?”
“Because I’ve stopped caring.”
I grabbed my coat and headed for the door.
Serena stepped in front of me, blocking my path. “Where are you going? And what about my anniversary gift?”
A month earlier, I had won a sapphire charm bracelet at an auction, and Serena had seen the news about it.
Instead of explaining, I took out my phone and transferred $5,000 to her account. “Forgot to prepare one. Buy yourself whatever you like.”
She stood in stunned silence.
In five years of marriage, I had never once failed to prepare a thoughtful gift for any occasion.
After a few seconds, she grew angry, grabbing my hand. “Where’s the bracelet?!”
I let out a cold laugh and pointed at her wrist.
“What bracelet? isn’t that matching bracelet with Lucas enough?”
Serena flushed with embarrassment.
“It’s… just something he gave me as a friend. Don’t overthink it. I’ll take it off now.”
M
After living together for five years, I knew her micro–expressions well. The way her fingers fidgeted with her shirt revealed her unease.
Having lost faith in her, I had no desire to argue.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I turned and left.
