After the Eight Years of Love I Gave Up
Chapter 22

Love Story3 -Book 3- Chapter 1

When I discovered that used condom in the gap of the passenger seat, I felt as if I had been frozen solid, my mind completely blank.

Ryker and I had been in love for ten years.

We fell in love at the best age, becoming each other's most beautiful memories in our youthful years.

Even the distance during college couldn't tear us apart. Over hundreds and thousands of nights, we expressed our longing for each other over the phone, separated by thousands of miles.

I would cry uncontrollably on my end of the phone, while he listened in silence, his eyes reddening.

Everyone doubted us, and even the entire internet was predicting the downfall of long-distance relationships.

But on the day of my college graduation, he appeared at my graduation ceremony. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and pulled out a ring that had cost him all of his living expenses. The afternoon sun was beautiful that day, but Ryker in my eyes shone brighter than the sun.

The young man's eyes were sparkling, his gaze towards me filled with determination.

"Lark Sinclair, every day since I've known you has been filled with longing. Only you can make me feel both pain and sweetness. The mere thought of you being absent from my future life terrifies me."

"I know proposing now is immature and even a bit irresponsible......"

"But right now, I just want to be with you forever and ever."

"Lark, will you marry me?"

I don't remember how I put on the ring that day. I only remember the classmates around us cheering, remember crying my eyes out, remember Ryker holding me in his arms with tears in his eyes, making a quiet promise. "I will treat you well for a lifetime, trust me."

I believed him.

And I believed for five years.

After graduating from college, we got married, becoming the most loving model couple in our social circle.

Ryker was indeed as he said, doting on me excessively, caring for me meticulously.

He wouldn't even let me cook, just because I cut my finger the first time I tried to cook.

That time, he bandaged my hand with reddened eyes, then placed a kiss on the back of my hand.

"Lark, don't get hurt. It breaks my heart."

I once thought I was the happiest woman in the world, so even though it went against my parents' wishes to marry far away in this unfamiliar city, I still felt it was worth it.

I was gambling, betting that he was different from all the fickle men in this world For a while, I thought I had won the bet, but I never expected...

In the tenth year of our love, the fifth year of our marriage, I would encounter a betrayal that felt like the sky was falling.

That used condom was so disgusting that I almost vomited on the spot.

I quickly threw it out of the car, but when I looked down, I saw something shiny on the floor mat.

I picked it up and realized it was an earring.

A chill ran through my heart....

This was undoubtedly that woman's possession.

With trembling hands, I stuffed the earring into my bag, my face as pale as paper.

At this moment, the car door opened. Ryker was holding a box of desserts, waving at me with a smile in his voice.

"Honey, your favorite dessert. We'll take it to the café to eat with Sage later."

I stared at him steadily, mustering all my strength to hold back my tears.

Should I ask?

Should I just say it?

Should I confront him directly?