Five years after our wedding, Kingsley and I still hadn’t gotten our marriage certificate.

Today was the celebration party for his company’s IPO. It was also the tenth night I had pulled an all-nighter for the research that made his IPO possible.

I was exhausted and almost fainted at the party. But Kingsley never spared me a glance. He was too busy coaxing Mira, who had no appetite, to eat.

Many of our colleagues sighed and shook their heads, their eyes filled with pity.

After the celebration party, Kingsley and I were supposed to go to the city hall and get our marriage certificate. But once again, he went back on his words.

“Mira has been under too much stress from work lately. Her depression is acting up. I’m taking her out to relax.

“Don’t come with us. It would make Mira more stressful.

“We’ll reschedule the registration. You’ve waited five years, so a few more days won’t make a difference.”

With that, Kingsley hurriedly carried Mira into the car without waiting for my reaction.

Before the car door was closed, Mira stuck out her tongue at me. “Sorry, Emelia. Don’t be mad at him.”

In the past, I would have argued with Kingsley, questioning him, “Who do you think is under more pressure, her or me? And who is your wife?”

But this time, I only nodded and said, “Sure. Have fun.”

Kingsley was stunned. But soon, he returned to his indifference.

“Good. At least you’re not making a scene. As compensation, I’ll bring you a gift tonight.”

Before the car drove off, Mira took out a box of snacks from her bag and started eating.

Kingsley smiled, patiently waited for her to finish, and even wiped the crumbs from the corner of her mouth.

Kingsley was a neat freak and wouldn’t allow me to eat in his car, fearing that I would make a mess.

Once I worked overnight and was starving and had stomach cramps. I tried to eat a piece of bread in his car, but he threw it out the window.

Kingsley said with disdain, “What are you, a child? Eating in the car—do you think that’s cute?”

But it turned out Kingsley was a neat freak only when I was the one in his car.

My heart froze in the night wind.

I called Professor Richard. “I want to participate in the national new medicine research and development project you mentioned last time.”

He was shocked. “Emelia, why the sudden change of heart? This project is highly classified. Once you join, you won’t be able to contact the outside world for five years. Will your husband be okay with that?”

“We were never legally married. Don’t worry.”

Professor Richard paused for a while and sighed, “Come back. Our country needs you.”

I read the project proposal Professor Richard sent me. When I arrived home, it was 11 pm.

Kingsley hadn’t returned. I wasn’t surprised.

Then, I browsed Instagram.

Mira had a new post—a photo of two hands intertwined, both wearing matching silver rings on their ring fingers. They were the newest style and looked pretty.

Mira posted, “Thank you for spending the whole night with me, Kingsley! I love the surprise you prepared for me. Happy five-year anniversary of our first meeting!”

I suddenly recalled that Kingsley had met Mira at our wedding.

It meant today was the 5th wedding anniversary for Kingsley and me.

But obviously, he had forgotten.

Swallowing the ache in my throat, I took off the wedding ring I had worn for five years.

The next morning, Kingsley came back.

His shirt was wrinkled, and the strong scent of perfume clung to him.

I recognized the fragrance, it was the one Mira always wore.

Kingsley’s company was a biopharmaceutical company. He strictly forbade perfumes in the office, claiming they interfered with researchers’ sense of smell.

But when it came to Mira, there were always exceptions.

Kingsley really cared about Mira.

Seeing my cold face, Kingsley explained, “Mira and I stayed out late. I didn’t have time to buy your gift. I’ll make it up to you next time.”

I looked up at his ring finger. The silver ring was still there.

Kingsley hesitated for a brief moment before his tone turned defensive. “Mira’s just a kid. We only wore them for fun.”