Breaking Free from Ex, Stronger Her

My husband, Rowan Bradford, was a chemistry professor at Ashford University. He had always been a caring and devoted husband. Thanks to that, despite being married for years, I had always been told I still look like a carefree college student.

Every year on our anniversary, Rowan would prepare a thoughtful gift for me.

Friends often said we were the perfect couple, from school uniforms to wedding dresses.

I had believed it too.

But just now, while helping him with his coat, a small bottle fell out. I picked it up, noticing it was only half full.

The label had cursive characters printed on it. [Intimate Time]

It was a bottle of erotic lubricant.

My hands trembled slightly as I held it, my fingertips warming with unease.

Without thinking, I asked, "What is this?"

Rowan paused for a fraction of a second before his usual calm demeanor returned "Oh, a manufacturer specializing in this kind of product approached the lab recently for potential collaboration. They sent it over as a sample."

I did not say anything, but my eyes lingered on the bottle.

He stepped forward and gently wrapped his arms around me from behind. "What’s wrong, dear? Are you doubting me?"

"It took so much effort to make you mine. I would never want to hurt you."

I forced a small laugh, broke free from his embrace and handed the bottle back to him. "Geez, you and your smart mouth. Quick, put this piece of nonsense away."

As I moved, a faint fragrance drifted from his body.

I stopped and frowned. "Rowan, why do you smell like women's perfume?"

I was allergic to pollen and I never liked the scent of flowers.

"There was a woman at the banquet today and her perfume was too much. The smell stuck to the car and honestly, I thought it was too much too."

"Then go wash up quickly," I said.

Rowan kissed me lightly on the forehead and headed to the bathroom.

I watched his retreating figure and then I slowly stretched out my hand.

On my fingertips, I found a long chestnut hair clinging to his shoulder.

But… my hair had always been black and straight.

Suddenly, my thoughts flashed to a woman I had noticed at his laboratory a few days ago.

Rowan and I had been college classmates and he was also my father’s student. He started out as a quiet, scholarly type but transformed into an affectionate and doting partner after we started dating. Friends often joked about my magical charm that turned a composed academic into a lovesick puppy.

Back then, I casually mentioned liking a Coach bag and he spent an entire month living on buns and pickles just to save up and buy it for me as a gift.

When he graduated, he worked tirelessly for three years, eventually saving enough to buy me an expensive diamond ring.

I remembered asking him, "Do you know why people exchange rings when proposing?"

"Because a ring is a promise. It means both husband and wife must remain faithful, right?"

"Are you indirectly warning me just now, Olivia Winters?" he asked with a smile.

"Exactly. Rowan Bradford, I have a strict rule. If I ever find out you’ve betrayed me, I’ll leave your world without a single word," I replied seriously.

He held me tightly, his eyes sincere.

"I swear, I’ll never betray you. If I ever do, I’ll take full responsibility with my own life."

After graduation, he pursued an academic career while I started my own business.

A few days ago, I visited his department to discuss a potential collaboration and everything about the project was nearly finalized.

He proudly gave me a tour of his laboratory.

When his students realized that we were husband and wife, they enthusiastically showered us with compliments.

"Wow, your wife is so beautiful! Mr. Bradford, you are truly lucky!"

"Professor Bradford and his wife are couple goals. This is the partnership I dream of!"

Among all that, only one girl had quietly followed me on Instagram.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Bradford! I'm Marion Sterling, a student of Mr. Bradford."

"Mr. Bradford is so serious and responsible! We all adore our professor to bits!"

Her chestnutcolored hair framed her pretty face and dimples appeared when she smiled.

Also, a faint jasmine scent lingered around her.

"Mrs. Bradford, can I follow you on Instagram?" Then she turned to me with a bright smile, her eyes twinkling playfully that it was hard to refuse.

After I agreed to follow her back, she smiled and said sweetly, "I really envy your relationship with Mr. Bradford."

"He’s so devoted to you. Sigh, being his wife must be truly blessed!"

Later, during dinner, I brought up this student to Rowan.

He frowned slightly and let out a dismissive snort. "She isn’t reasonable and relies too much on little tricks to seek attention. Don’t pay her much attention."

His disdain for her was obvious, but I still felt the need to remind him not to be too harsh on the students.

At the time, I never imagined who was indulging her little tricks.

And who, in the end, would fall so deeply for such "cleverness."

That night, I lay on my side, restless and unable to sleep.

Rowan wrapped his arms around me from behind. He used to say, "True lovers fall asleep in each other’s arms."

Suddenly, the soft buzz of his phone vibrated on the bedside table.

Rowan glanced at me who was motionless next to him.

Assuming I was fast asleep, he quietly got out of bed and tiptoed to the living room to answer the call.

"What do you mean it wasn’t you?"

"If you hadn’t slipped that thing into my pocket, how would Olivia have found it?"

"I'm warning you, if Olivia finds out about your existence, don't even think about graduating!"

Rowan scolded in a low voice from the living room, but I could not make out the reply on the other end.

"What? You're just messing around!" he said sharply.

Then, he stood up abruptly, heading to the entrance and reaching for his coat as if to leave.

"Rowan, where are you going?" I asked suddenly from behind.

Rowan froze midmovement, then turned around, startled to see me standing there.

I pretended to have just woken up. "It's so late already. Are you heading out?" I asked.

Seeing me in only my thin pajamas, he quickly shrugged off his coat, hurried to my side and wrapped me up warmly. Then, without hesitation, he carried me back to bed.

"The weather's too cold tonight. What if you catch a cold? I’d be so worried."

"A few students are working overtime on experiments and something happened in the lab. I need to check on them."

"Is that so? All right then. Be careful on your way there," I said.

Rowan leaned down and kissed me tenderly, his actions gentle, as if handling something precious and fragile.

"All right. Get some rest. When I come back, I'll bring you your favorite soup dumplings from Evernight City," he whispered softly, then turned and walked away.

After Rowan left, I quickly changed my clothes and slipped out to follow him. His car stopped at the entrance of the graduate apartment area on campus.

Standing at the door was a young girl pacing back and forth, clearly waiting for someone.

It was the girl who had eagerly asked to follow me on Instagram.

Marion Sterling.

"Threatening me with death again? I’ll transfer seven thousand dollars to you later. From now on, we’re strictly a professor and a student. Nothing more." Rowan’s cold voice broke the silence.

"I don’t believe you mean that," Marion replied, wrapping her arms around him. "I... I just missed you so bad."

Rowan eventually pulled her into his embrace.

Under the dim streetlight, they kissed each other.

Like a couple deeply in love.

I clenched my fists, fighting the overwhelming urge to rush out and confront them.

Instead, I pulled out my phone and snapped a photo before driving away.

Rowan did not come back home until morning.

And he seemed to be in a good mood.

"Didn’t you say you were going to the lab to work overtime? How is it that you look so full of energy? Whenever I work late, I’m completely drained."

"Why do we need so many hardworking people at home? I just need to be the hardworking one. You can sleep as long as you want," Rowan said, his voice was full of affection.

I stared at him, scrutinizing his expression. He acted so naturally as if nothing disgraceful had happened.

"Honey, I brought you something delicious. Eat it while it's hot."

He presented a steaming bowl of my favorite soup dumplings.

He bought it from a centuryold shop in Evernight City, tucked far in the west of town. The dumplings were renowned for their rich filling and delicate flavors.

They had one notable downside. The shop was too far away and was impossible to order for delivery.

Rowan always made the trip himself to bring them to me.

"Whatever my wife wants, even if it’s the stars in the sky, I’ll gather them and turn them into starshaped biscuits."

Normally, I adored the soup dumplings from this restaurant and I would devour every last one. Not only because the dumplings were delicious, but also because I thought this was a symbol of his devotion for me.

However, right now, the sight of it made me extremely sick.

"I can't eat it. You go ahead," I said, my tone flat and expressionless.

"What's wrong, baby? Do you have a cold or a fever?" Rowan's face filled with concern as he reached out to touch my forehead gently.

He had no idea what I had just seen. Moments ago, Marion posted an update on her social media.

[This soup dumpling comes from a centuryold store that’s hard to get. I’m so happy I got it today!]

To prove she was not exaggerating, she even attached a photo. The soup dumplings were identical to the ones Rowan brought me.

My gaze drifted to the faint lipstick marks on the collar of his white shirt.

My stomach twisted, the nausea rising sharply.

I looked away and spoke evenly, "Maybe I ate too much yesterday. You enjoy it. I’ll go catch up on some sleep."

Later that day, I accompanied Rowan to the laboratory. It was a scheduled day for sample deliveries and the project was reaching its final stages.

Everything proceeded smoothly and the team celebrated with palpable excitement.

One of the students suggested a group lunch to commemorate the occasion. Rowan agreed, his smile easy and cheerful.

At the restaurant, I could not tell if it was a coincidence or deliberate, but the seating arrangement placed Marion directly on my right.

While eating, she casually rolled up her sleeves, revealing faint, suspicious red marks on her arm, hovering almost tauntingly in my line of sight.

Rowan shot her two subtle warning glances that were almost imperceptible before she finally toned down.

I forced a smile as I had no intention of dignifying their theatrics with my attention.

But just as I was steeling myself to endure, the unexpected happened. Halfway through the meal, one of the younger lab assistants suddenly stood up.

I vaguely remembered the boy’s name was Luca. Shyly, he reached into his bag and pulled out a small bouquet of flowers.

He first raised his glass for a toast to me and Rowan as his professor. After taking a deep breath, he said, "I want to take this chance to say something."

Then, with surprising courage, Luca turned to Marion who was seated right beside me and blurted out, "Marion Sterling, I... I like you. Please be my girlfriend!"

The room erupted into cheers. Someone even shouted, "Just say yes already!"

Marion froze, clearly caught off guard by the sudden confession. Her expression wavered between shock and nervousness as she instinctively glanced at Rowan.

However, Rowan maintained a measured smile on his face as he reached out his hand to brush aside a loose strand of hair near my ear.

Apparently, this subtle action seemed to unsettle Marion as her gaze hardened momentarily.

Standing abruptly, Marion replied, "Luca, I like you too, but your confession today caught me off guard. Could you give me a few days to think it over?"

Luca’s face turned crimson, but he nodded eagerly. The students around the table erupted in applause and teasing comments.

"Oh? Looks like we’ll have a couple in the lab soon!"

"No more singledog suffering for us. Ugh, I’m getting nauseous just imagining all the PDA!"

Rowan smiled lightly and spoke. "That’s right. When the two of you get married, my wife and I will make sure to give you a generous wedding gift!"

Marion smiled shyly at the teasing comments, but her eyes turned red.

Her fingers were hidden beneath the table, gripping the fabric of her skirt so tightly to the point even I was worried that she could not hold back her tears.

Anyway, only I noticed how Rowan had been on edge the entire time. The polite smile he wore did not reach his eyes. His hand around the wine glass tightened with such force that his knuckles turned pale.

It was as though he were suppressing something that threatened to break free.

After the banquet ended, Rowan and I walked out together. He draped a coat over my shoulders and held my hand.

Yet, his unease was impossible to miss as we made our way to the car.

After getting in the car, he seemed distracted. My husband hesitated for a long time, not even starting the car.

Finally, he turned to me and said, "I just remembered something came up in the lab. You go ahead and head home first. I’ll grab a taxi back later."

Just like that, he left in a rush.

Then, without hesitation, I slid over to the driver’s seat and drove home alone, parking the car in our community lot.

But instead of getting out, I reached for my phone, my fingers steady as I tapped to open the monitoring app.

I had installed a 360degree pinhole camera in the car, leaving no blind spots…

…on the heels of Rowan's leather shoes.

The screen showed Rowan entering the office. Shortly after, Marion followed, shutting the door firmly behind her and locking it with a deliberate twist.

Rowan stepped forward to grab Marion down and kissed her lips passionately.

When he finally let her go, he asked in a fierce tone, "Does anyone else get to do this with you? Including that man who approached you today?"

Marion bit her lip, refusing to answer.

Seeing her like this, Rowan’s frustration grew and he shoved her down onto the table.

After more than half an hour, the two leaned against each other, breathing heavily.

"Why didn’t you reject him outright today? Were you trying to provoke me?" Rowan demanded.

"And why shouldn’t I?" Marion asked back angrily.

"You and your wife are so affectionate in public. Everyone calls her Mrs. Bradford, praises her abilities and respects her. But me? I’m nothing but a dirty secret, hidden away like a rat that can’t see the light of day!"

"I’ve already given you more than enough, Marion. Don’t be greedy. Money, connections and even a feature in CMagazine. I’ve provided it all. What we have is just an exchange, nothing more. Do you think you’re worthy of comparing yourself to my wife?"

"But I really love you. When you love someone, you become possessive. I just wish that old witch would leave and give up the title of Mrs. Bradford."

Rowan's expression turned icy in an instant. "Marion Sterling, I warned you not to bring matters between us in front of my wife."

"This is the red line. Don't even try to cross it."

Marion's defiant look softened immediately. "I know. I was just joking. How could I even dare?"

Rowan pinched her chin firmly as he warned her once again. "Sensibleness is the basic quality of a lover. Remember that?"

"Yes," Marion nodded obediently.

Satisfied, Rowan closed his eyes and kissed her again, but I noticed the fleeting flash of unwillingness on her face.

"Let's do it again tonight. Wear something sexy. I'll take you to a hotel," Rowan said, his tone casual as he patted her on the butt.

"All right," Marion responded shyly.

I watched the entire scene silently.

Then, I turned off my phone and saved the evidence.

Earlier, just after the banquet, I had received a message from Marion. [Mrs. Bradford, do you think Mr. Bradford will let me fall in love with another man?]

I did not reply.

Just as I was about to step out of the car, I suddenly paused, as if warned by something socalled woman’s intuition.

I turned on the car's driving recorder and scrolled through the footage from the past two weeks. As I feared, Rowan and that girl had been intimate in this very car so many times.

Suddenly, a message from Rowan appeared on my phone.

[Honey, the lab has taken on a new project. I'm going out of town today and won’t be back tonight. Remember to eat well. I love you.]

Staring at his words, my gaze drifted to the recording of my husband and Marion being intimate…

…a wave of dizziness swept over me.

My chest felt unbearably tight, as though it were being crushed under an invisible weight, making it hard to breathe.

The scenes playing in front of me were like daggers piercing my heart. It felt as though my very soul was bleeding.

The emotions I had suppressed over the past few days erupted all at once. Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face as a scream escaped my lips.

I slammed hard my fists against the steering wheel in front of me.

At that moment, I felt like the biggest joke.

I just sat there for a long time.

As dusk approached, I finally dialed my father’s number.

"Dad, I’ve decided. I’ll live abroad. Can you help me cancel my domestic identity?"

"Of course, Olive, but why this sudden decision? Will Rowan be going with you?"

"No. It's just me."

My father was also a man and he was accustomed to weathering life’s storms. So, from those few words, he seemed to understand everything.

He did not press me for details.

After that, I called Rowan.

"Hey, what's wrong, dear?" His voice sounded slightly breathless.

We had been married for many years. How could I not know what he was doing at that moment? I could practically picture the indecent scene on the other end of the line.

"Nothing. I just wanted to let you know the new product launch is scheduled for next Friday."

"After the press conference, I’ll give you a gift as a thank you for your contribution to the research and development."

Rowan chuckled lightly. "Okay. Thank you, my dear."

I could almost feel the dissatisfaction from the woman on his end through the phone. Suddenly, Rowan let out a muffled hum, his breathing growing deeper.

"All right then, you carry on. I’ll hang up now." After saying that, I ended the call.

I thought I would feel a surge of anger or heartbreak, but instead, I felt... numb.

Once, I had told Rowan that betrayal was the one thing I could never tolerate. I had warned him that if I ever discovered he had betrayed me, I would disappear from his life entirely.

And when I did leave, the parting gift I had prepared for him would be one he would never forget.

Before dawn, another message arrived on my phone from Marion.

The photo attached was of an unsealed box of condoms with only one remaining inside.

She followed it up with a smug message. [Mrs. Bradford, do you think your husband will use the last one before dawn?]

[You are destined to lose to me. The experience I give Mr. Bradford is something you can never provide. Not in this life or the next!]

I knew she was trying to provoke me, to rile me up, to break me.

But I felt nothing at all now.

Because I no longer loved him at all.

In the days that followed, I stayed in the company lounge under the pretext of preparing for the upcoming press conference.

In truth, such a small event did not require my personal attention. My team was more than capable of handling it on their own.

What truly occupied me was the process of selling my company.

Over the years, through relentless effort, I had built the business into something respected in the industry. It had gained a solid reputation and several major players had expressed interest in a potential merger or acquisition.

After careful consideration, I chose an established company with strong financial stability to negotiate the deal.

Firstly, I wanted to ensure that my hard work over the years would not go to waste and that the company would continue to thrive. Secondly, I needed to secure the funds as soon as possible.

The negotiations went smoothly. Once the contract was signed, the funds were transferred to my account that very day.

After the new product launch, I was no longer the CEO of the company.

On the day of the press conference, I invited Rowan to attend. Several students from his laboratory also came to see the results of their hard work.

Halfway through the ceremony, I asked my assistant to keep an eye on the front desk while I took a break in the backstage lounge.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed with several messages.

They were all from Marion.

I clicked on the notification and saw that there were multiple videos, all featuring her and Rowan.

At that moment, the door to the lounge swung open. Marion walked in with a strange smile on her lips as she said, [Mrs. Bradford, I just sent you something. Why don’t you take a look?]

"I’m not interested in porn vids," I replied with a sneer.

"You already know about me and Mr. Bradford, don't you?"

I said nothing in response.

Marion's expression changed. She gritted her teeth and continued, "Do you really think Mr. Bradford still loves you?"

She leaned on the table with one hand and her eyes flashed with malice.

"Did you know he comes to see me several times a week?"

"He once told me you were as indifferent as a dead fish and he had no interest in you at all. I’m the one who’s most compatible with him. That day when someone confessed to me, he tormented me for hours. One whole night!

"He only left one condom of the new box he bought that day. I guess you’ve never seen him look so energetic, right?"

"Do you know what he was doing when you called him that night?" Marion asked me with a smile.

Even though my love for Rowan was gone, I was still so irritated of this mistress’ audacity to speak so openly.

"So, what do you want from me? Do you want me to give up Mrs. Bradford's position to you?"

"I promise you, within a month, this title will be all yours."

Marion clearly did not expect me to respond that way and for a moment, she was at a loss for words.

Just then, the door swung open.

"What are you doing here?"

Rowan walked in, taking in the scene before him. Without missing a beat, he stood beside me and casually draped his arm around me, his expression hardening as he looked at Marion.

"I am here to thank your wife, sir. If she hadn’t cooperated with us, our laboratory wouldn’t have achieved such great results," Marion said with a smile.

Rowan raised an eyebrow, looking from Marion to me, clearly unsure.

I smiled and answered, "Miss Sterling is here to thank me. She’s much more sensible than other students."

Only then did Rowan seem to believe it.

He then said to Marion, "If you have that intention, it’s better to focus on improving your own skills."

After saying that, he took my hand and led me out of the room.

That night, Rowan did not return home. Something in the day’s events must have set off alarms in his mind.

He went off to “educate” his little lover, unaware that this would be the last time he and I would interact in this way.

Meanwhile, I packed up my things quietly. I also arranged for housekeeping to come and clean the house.

This place was left spotless.

Most importantly, all traces of my existence had been completely erased.

Before leaving, I took out my phone and scrolled through my Instagram. I found a post from Marion, uploaded at 2:30 this morning.

She had painted her nails a soft pink and was sitting on the marble sink in a hotel bathroom. Her back was to the mirror, her head turned halfway and the lipstick at the corner of her mouth was smeared.

The caption beneath the photo read, [Forever yours.]

I put my phone away and thought to myself, I wish you both forever.

The next morning, as Rowan drove home, his right eyelid twitched uncontrollably. He felt a sense of unease as if something was wrong.

Without knowing anything, he blamed it on a lack of rest.

——

As soon as he stepped into the house, he noticed that my shoes were gone. He frowned and walked into the house, scanning the unusually spotless living room.

So clean as if there was no trace of life.

"Dear?" he called out, but no one responded. Is she sleeping? he thought.

He then moved toward the bedroom, but as he passed the entrance, he stopped abruptly.

Something felt so wrong. Something seemed different from usual...

In the end, he finally realized that our wedding photo was gone!

His heart was beating like crazy as he rushed into the bedroom.

It was completely empty.

He checked the bathroom, the study and the kitchen. No sign of me anywhere.

"Honey, where are you? Are you hiding from me? If you’re upset, just come out and we’ll talk."

Too bad, the only voice that answered him was his own echo.

An unfamiliar sense of dread washed over him. Desperately, he pulled open the closet doors, only to find that all of my clothes were gone.

His gaze shifted to the dressing table. All my bottles and jars of skincare had vanished.

My perfumes, my bags, even my books...

…all of it had disappeared.

"Is Olivia playing some kind of prank? Running away from home?" he muttered.

Rowan tried calling my number, but the mechanical voice told him that the number was unregistered. He then tried to call me on Instagram and sent frantic messages, but all of them were left unanswered.

Desperate, he even tried contacting my parents abroad, but no one responded.

Finally, his eyes landed on a small table in the study, something he had overlooked earlier.

On it was a small box.

His desperate eyes were instantly ignited with a glimmer of hope. He walked over excitedly and opened the box with uncontrollably trembling hands.

Little did he expect, inside was the engagement ring he had given me.

He instantly froze in place.