Fishing for Love, Catching Revenge

My husband, Ethan Whitmore, was obsessed with fishing trips with his female coworker.

We fought about it every single day.

By the fourth year, I was too exhausted to fight anymore.

So I picked up my own fishing rod and tackle box and started leaving early and coming home late, just like him.

At first, Ethan didn't care.

Until one night when he came home at midnight and found I still wasn't back.

That's when he panicked.

He begged me, promising he'd never go fishing again and would stay home with me like a proper husband.

But I wasn't interested anymore.

After all, the catch I'd reeled in was the city's newly arrived eligible bachelorthe golden single man everyone was talking about.

Adrian Castellan, the wealthiest man in town.

I'm a lazy person. Because I was too lazy to look for a boyfriend, I married my childhood friend Ethan Whitmore.

After the wedding, we got along pretty well.

Until his parents arranged a job for him.

There was a girl in his department named Sarah Smith who always invited him out.

At first it was dinners and drinks at bars. Then somehow they got obsessed with late-night fishing, even staying out all night.

Night after night I slept alone in an empty bed. How was I supposed to handle that?

I fought with Ethan about it. He said I was being dramatic.

His coworker Sarah even fanned the flames from the sidelines: "Seriously, Ethan, just go home. Looks like she can't survive without a man for five minutes."

A few single male coworkers stood nearby, laughing mockingly.

I couldn't be bothered with these people. I grabbed Ethan's arm, trying to get him to come home.

He shook me off so hard I nearly fell to the ground.

"Are you done yet? Can't I have a single hobby of my own?"

"I work myself to death all day to earn money. I even help you with housework."

"I've been nothing but accommodating to you. The only thing I ask is a little personal space to enjoy myself. Why do you have to pick a fight with me over it?"

I felt inexplicably hurt. "You call this 'a little while'? You haven't been home for a whole week."

His expression turned cold. "What do you mean I haven't been home? I come back to sleep every night."

"That's at three in the morning! And you leave for work the next day. On weekends you go out with them too. We haven't even had a proper conversation."

"That's because you don't have any friends. That's not my problem."

His face was stern, clearly annoyed.

"Jenna Ashford, let me tell you somethingwe're married, but that doesn't mean I have to listen to everything you say."

Ethan had always been gentle since childhood and had never lost his temper with me.

That's why I felt safe marrying him.

But it had only beenwhat, how long since the wedding?and he'd already learned to fight with me.

Furious, I turned and left.

From that point on, our interactions became tense and hostile.

We ended up sleeping in separate rooms and wouldn't speak when we saw each other.

The spacious house felt like an ice cellar.

My heart felt blocked and heavy, so I had no motivation to take care of myself.

Over three years, I gained a lot of weight and my face constantly wore an expression of infinite resentment.

Until one day my longtime friend Bella, who was in town on a business trip, met me for dinner and got a terrible shock when she saw me.

"Jenna, what happened to you? How did you end up like this?"

Me: "Like what?"

"See for yourself!"

She pulled out a compact mirror.

In it, I saw a bitter woman with a sallow complexion and lifeless eyes.

I was so startled I threw the mirror down on the table with a clatter.

"Shit, how did I get so ugly?"

I immediately told Bella everything about Ethan.

She pressed her lips together and looked at me for a long time, as if she didn't know what to say.

I was anxious and kept poking her.

"Say something! What's with the silent treatment?"

Bella sighed. "I just feel like... after you got married, it's like your brain got kicked by a donkey."

She began analyzing: "Look, that Sarah is obviously trying to seduce your husband! And your husband has probably already cheated on you."

Bella continued: "If that's the case, you might as well find yourself another man."

I clenched my fists in anger. "Right! I can find a new boyfriend too!"

She sighed again. "Look, I'm not telling you this to encourage you to cheat. I just want you to understand that you need to love yourself, no matter what."

After parting with Bella, I went home.

The spacious house was filled with cluttered junk.

All of it was cheap stuff I'd bought over three years of marriage to ease my misery.

Secondhand shop bargains for ten or twenty bucks each, filling up our hundred-square-meter apartment.

Fortunately, though Ethan ignored me, he still had one good pointhe gave me household money.

Out of his eight-thousand-dollar monthly salary, he'd give me three thousand as spending money.

It was because of this that I kept enduring, even though I felt terrible.

After talking with Bella, I realized this wasn't right.

My precious youth shouldn't be wasted on a loveless marriage.

Looking at my bloated reflection in the mirrorgreasy hair, oversized t-shirtI took a long, deep breath.

I pulled my long hair up into a bun, grabbed an enormous garbage bag, and started throwing things away.

I threw things out from noon until evening. Eight bags total. The house was half-empty.

The high-calorie foods in the cabinetsI threw them all out.

The cheap clothes in the closet, the bargain cosmetics on my dresser, and even my wedding photo with Ethaneverything went into the trash.

After finishing all that, I boiled two sweet potatoes for myself.

I'd barely eaten a few bites when I heard the front door.

Ethan pushed the door open and walked in, followed by the polished and glamorous Sarah Smith.

When she saw me, her expression didn't change. She smiled and said, "Oh, you're home, Jenna."

I made a sound of acknowledgment. "Yeah. Why are you here?"

"Ethan said his new fishing rod is really good. I came to borrow it and try it out."

Ethan didn't even look at me. He walked straight into the room.

Sarah sat down next to me, staring at the sweet potatoes in front of me.

"Why are you eating this cheap stuff, Jenna? Are you trying to lose weight?"

Me: "Yeah, I'm too fat. Thought I'd slim down a bit."

She giggled. "Oh, I don't mean to be rude, but body type is really about genetics, you know?"

"Some people are just born to be heavy. Starving yourself won't workyou won't be able to lose it."

"You should just give up, Jenna. Do you have any instant noodles in the house? Let me go cook you a bowl."

She stood up to head toward the kitchen but I stopped her.

"Don't bother. I threw everything away."

"Why?"

"I'm not eating it anymore. Would've been a waste to keep it."

Sarah's eyes flickered. Finally she just smiled.

"Okay then. If you're dead set on losing weight, we'll just wait and see how it goes."

She looked up and saw Ethan walking out. Without asking, she went over and took the fishing rod from his hands.

"Wow, Ethan, this rod really is nicethin and light."

"Come on, tonight I'll rent out that fishing pond on the south side of town. Let's catch a few fish and try it out."

As she talked, she glanced back at me with false guilt. "Oh, I forgot you were here. Is it okay if I go with Ethan?"

The current version of Ethan didn't consider me at all anymore. He smirked mockingly. "Why are you asking her? What she says doesn't matter anyway."

Over three years, Ethan hadn't changed at all. In fact, as he'd gotten older, he'd become more mature and masculine.

Combined with his well-maintained physique and respectable job, it wasn't just Sarahplenty of other women threw themselves at him.

He was no longer as innocent as when we first got married. Now when he looked at Sarah, there was a predatory edge to his gaze.

I stared, hating myself even more for living like a ghost for three years because of someone like him. I'd been such a fool.

Ethan looked up at me with a perfunctory expression.

"I'm leaving. I won't be back for dinner. Eat by yourself."

Me: "Okay."

He was about to leave, then turned back.

"Oh, by the way, I'm transferring you four thousand dollars this month. The company gave out quarterly bonuses."

"Okay."

With the balance in my card, I went to the gym downstairs.

Fortunately, my in-laws had bought property in a good locationeverything was nearby. After getting a seasonal membership, I still had $2,900 left.

Looking at my messy hair in the mirror, I steeled myself and cut it all off.

For the next three months, I put all my focus into working out.

Ethan was gone every few days. I barely noticed.

After losing over forty pounds, none of my old clothes fit anymore.

I wanted to ask Ethan for money to buy a few new outfits, but he wasn't as generous as usual.

He scolded me for wasting money and buying random things.

After lecturing me for ages, he transferred me five hundred dollars.

I accepted it through gritted teeth.

Just then, a man named Lucas Reed approached me.

He looked refined and scholarly. He invited me to dinner.

Seeing the Rolex watch on his wrist, I had a sudden flash of insight.

Right"marry for food and shelter," as they say. If there was nothing I wanted from this person, why would I be with him?

Right. I should find myself a new match.

So that evening, I went with Lucas to a private estate to fish. It was a remote location, but everyone who came and went looked wealthy.

I didn't like Lucas. He wasn't attractive, and his eyes were sleazy.

After chatting for just a few minutes, he kept steering the conversation toward sex.

This guy was way too eagerdefinitely not a good person. I shouldn't get too involved with him.

I lost patience and stood up to leave.

But Lucas got agitated and grabbed me. "Where do you think you're going? You got in my carleaving isn't that easy."

I found his words absurd. "What are you going to do, stab me?"

Lucas wouldn't let go. "I'm not going to stab you. But I've got plenty of ways to make you cry."

Psycho. He's sick!

I lifted my leg to kick him. Lucas dodged.

I went to grab his hair instead, and we made quite a commotion.

The estate owner heard the noise and came over. Seeing the situation, he quickly pulled us apart and dragged Lucas aside.

"Can you chill out today? I've got a client here."

Lucas tugged at his collar indignantly. "What kind of VIP client tells me I can't hit on a girl?"

"The chairman of Zenith Holdings. Just arrived. You know his backgroundhe doesn't like people making a scene."

Lucas's expression shifted. "Zenith? Adrian Castellan?"

"Yes, him!"

"I heard his wife died a few years ago. He moved the company to a new city to avoid being reminded of her. Why would a widower come out to the wilderness?"

"The way you talkthe man just wants to relax and enjoy nature. You think everyone's like you?"

I stood to the side listening as their voices got quieter and quieter, like mosquitoes.

Annoyed, I tried to sneak away.

After a few steps, I got lost.

Then I ran into a man dressed in casual clothes.

The moment our eyes met, we both froze.

I don't know why he froze.

I froze because... I'd never seen such a handsome man.

To be fair, Ethan was already quite good-looking.

Compared to the man in front of me, he didn't even measure up to a third.

It was mainly the aura. The difference was too great.

This man, just standing there with his profile showing, made my heart race.

I unconsciously licked my lips.

"Um..."

Adrian Castellan looked at me.

"Yes?"

"I'm lost. Can you help me?"

Maybe it had been too long since I'd seen a handsome man. The sudden stimulation scrambled my brain like mush.

Adrian's distant gaze swept over me.

Finally, he pointed to the right.

"That way. You can get out."

"Oh. Thank you."

I walked quite a distance before I realizedI shouldn't have just left like that.

The estate Lucas had brought me to was in a remote location. Walking on foot, I'd probably break my legs before getting out of here.

But if I turned back, I couldn't find the way.

And what if I ran into Lucas? That would be even more troublesome.

I was stuck between a rock and a hard place when I heard a car horn behind me.

A Bentley slowly pulled up in front of me. Through the window was the man from just now.

Adrian didn't know why he was being so charitable, but seeing the woman clutching her jacket closed in front of him, he opened the door anyway.

"Get in. I'll take you back."

I obediently climbed into the passenger seat and said honestly, "Thank you."

Adrian's eyes darkened, but he said nothing.

On the drive back, he drove quietly.

I looked down at my phone. Ten o'clock at night. Ethan hadn't sent me a single message.

On social media, Sarah had posted more photos of their gathering.

Ethan was sitting very close to her. If someone didn't know better, they might think they were a couple.

I sighed deeply, not understanding if this kind of marriage was even worth continuing.

Unable to figure it out myself, I looked at the calm and composed man beside me. My brain short-circuited and I asked the question out loud.

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "You're asking a complete stranger about marriage?"

Me: "Maybe sometimes strangers see things more clearly."

He smiled noncommittally.

After a long pause, he finally said, "If you're asking me, I'd say you haven't figured out what you want from your life."

I froze instantly.

This man was really, truly ruthless.

I really didn't know what I wanted.

My parents were busy with business and also had a younger son.

Because I was a daughter, my parents left me with my grandparents from a young age.

No one cared about me or paid attention to me. They all wished I wouldn't bother them.

After my grandparents died, my parents didn't bring me back home. Instead, they bought me an apartment in Southridge and told me to live there.

The major I studied was randomly chosen.

The husband I married was randomly picked.

Because no one ever told me how life should be lived.

Now someone had torn away the pretense and, with just a few words, seen through my empty life.

My nose inexplicably stung. I asked in a nasal voice, "Then... what do you think I should do?"

Perhaps my tearful tone was too obvious. Adrian glanced at me several more times.

He said, "If you're not afraid I'm a bad person, then buy yourself some fishing gear and a rod. Come back here tomorrow."

As he spoke, the car had already arrived downstairs at my building.

Before we parted, he gave me his phone number.

After adding him as a contact, I saw his profile name had a simple "A" for Adrian.

His social media was nearly emptyjust one photo of the ocean.

The caption read: Ten years of life and death apart. Even without thinking of you, how could I forget?

He seemed quite lonely too.

Grateful to him, I immediately ran out the next day to buy equipment. After riding the bus for over an hour, I went back to the estate.

He must have given them a heads-up, because as soon as I arrived, someone came to greet me.

They led me for quite a while before I saw Adrian fishing again.

He'd changed into a black casual outfit. Sitting among the wild grass, he made even the vegetation look refined.

I tiptoed over carefully, making Adrian frown slightly.

"Jenna Ashford."

"Yes!"

"Straighten your back! You're obviously a beautiful womanwhy are you so insecure?"

Seeing his stern gaze, I instinctively straightened my posture.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Castellan."

"My name is Adrian Castellan."

"I'm sorry, Adrian."

Adrian sighed, pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek, and gestured with his chin toward a chair nearby.

"You. Sit over there. Set up your fishing rod."

Me: ...

Heaven help me, I thought Adrian had invited me here to teach me some profound truth about life.

Or maybe, that he was attracted to me and wanted to flirt.

But for an entire week, I rode the bus for an hour each day to the estate, fished for five hours, then rode the bus back home for another hour.

All I did was fish in the spot he rented.

Most of the time, I was alone.

Adrian didn't sit with me. Much of the time, he was in his cabin working or sleeping.

I sat alone staring at the calm lake surface, my thoughts sprouting like weeds in my mind.

And because he said I could exchange each fish for a hundred dollars, I didn't dare mess around on my phone.

I could only stare blankly at the fishing line, waiting for a fish to bite.

I was fishing so intently that one day I lost track of time and didn't even notice it had gotten dark.

Even more absurdEthan and Sarah appeared across from me.

They were cuddling on chairs, kissing passionately.

They made such a huge commotion they scared away my fish. Annoyed, I looked upand realized my husband was cheating on me.