Chapter 1

The night before our wedding party, my wife went out with her ex-boyfriend and had an intense affair for seven days and seven nights. By the time I found out, she had already been hospitalized due to severe lacerations on her vagina. When the doctor called me over, she lifted her chin and looked at me. “So what? I was just celebrating my last night of being single in my own way. Besides, after I completely become your wife, I won’t do this anymore.” —— One week before the wedding, my wife disappeared without a trace. Her entire family was searching for her. We reported her missing to the police three times, but she was nowhere to be found. I was extremely anxious. Even my mother-in-law had no idea where she had gone. Just when we were all in a state of panic, Hannah finally called. “Ethan, you don’t have to worry about me. Isn’t the wedding happening soon? I just went out with my friends for a bachelorette party. I’ll be back tomorrow.” Hearing this, we finally breathed a sigh of relief. Especially my mother-in-law, who grabbed my hand and spoke earnestly. “Ethan, you see, my daughter has been pampered since she was a child. Tomorrow, for the wedding car tradition, you should give an extra 700 dollars.” This was already the fourth time today that she had brought up money. Seeing that my expression wasn’t great, my mother-in-law immediately tried to smooth things over. “Oh, it’s fine if you don’t give it…” “It’s okay. As long as Hannah can be my wife, money doesn’t matter.” Hearing this, my mother-in-law beamed with joy. I lowered my head and looked at my phone, only to find that Hannah’s best friend had just updated her social media feed. In the photo, Hannah was sitting blatantly on a man’s lap. Their mouths were open and a thin, glistening strand connected their lips. It was an incredibly indecent sight. And that man wasn’t just anyone. It was her first love, Caleb. His hand seemed to be inside Hannah’s collar. I zoomed in, trying to get a clearer look, but before I could, the post was deleted. I immediately called Hannah. She didn’t pick up the first three calls. But, on the fourth, she finally answered. “Hello? What’s up?” “Where are you?” “Ethan, what kind of tone is that?” “Are you with Caleb?” “Ethan, are you crazy? I told you I’m at a bachelorette party. Caleb and I just lost a game and had to do a punishment, that’s all. We haven’t had any other contact. Are you sick or something? Why do you keep calling and nagging? With you acting like this, who would feel safe marrying you?” Listening to Hannah’s sharp words, I started to feel dazed. Had I really seen wrong? I checked her best friend’s social media again. Now, the only photo left was a group picture of the girls. Caleb was gone. Just as I was about to let the matter go, I received a call. “Hello, is this a relative of Hannah?” “Yes, I am. Who are you?” “Hannah is unconscious in the hospital. Please come to the Central Hospital immediately!” I put down my spoon and ran out. My mom called after me, “Ethan, slow down! She probably just fell on the way back!” My nerves were on edge the entire way. As soon as I arrived at the hospital, I signed the paperwork and paid the fees. Looking at the medical report, I froze. “Per… perineal tear? Nurse, are you sure there isn’t a mistake? We’re just getting married…” “What kind of man are you? Do you not care about your woman at all? Even if you’re just getting married, you can’t go at it for seven days and seven nights! Are you trying to kill her?” Seven days. Seven nights. Holding the diagnosis report, I swallowed against my dry, cracked throat.