Shattered Stardust: Our Love Died First

Wendy Fisher loves me with all her heart. Ten years ago, she was willing to trade her life to save mine. I give up my money, power, and identity without hesitation to elope with her. But when I go into shock from blood loss after a car accident, I can't get through to her on the phone. At that moment, her assistant posts a picture on Instagram with the caption, "Reunited as a family of three, safely and happily." In the photo, I see Wendy holding the baby's hand. She's so happy that she's even forgotten to take off her wedding ring. It turns out even a love forged in life and death amounts to nothing more than this. I smile bitterly and dial my stepmother's number. "I want to restore my identity as Xander Lynch. I'll be back the day after tomorrow." Chapter 1 Xander's POV My stepmother, Emily Brown, cried joyfully, "That's wonderful! Then I'll help you wipe all the information under the name 'Xander Fisher', okay?" I nodded, my voice thick with emotion as I replied, "Alright. Thanks, Emily." The name "Xander Fisher" was the name I took when I cut ties with my family, choosing to take my wife's surname instead. But now, it had become a stain I had to go to great lengths to erase. When I got home, I found a candlelit dinner—prepared by my wife, Wendy Fisher—waiting for me the moment I walked in. It seemed she hadn't forgotten after all. Today was a very special anniversary for us. Ten years ago, I was in a car accident and fighting for my life. I had a rare blood type, and for some reason, the blood bank was in short supply. To save me, who was on the verge of dying, Wendy nearly drained all the blood she had. From then on, I ignored everyone's objections and devoted myself completely to her. Wendy greeted me affectionately and pointed proudly at the table full of dishes. "Look, honey. Now do you know why I didn't answer your calls?" Ever since her career took off, Wendy had rarely cooked for me. She had even once said, "I only cook for one person, and that's Xander Fisher." The reason why she cooked for me herself today was probably out of guilt. Either way, it no longer mattered. Just then, I remembered how, over the past ten years, Wendy had gotten used to using all kinds of surprises as an excuse for not answering my calls or replying to my messages. On my way home, I had scrolled through the Instagram profile of her assistant, Blaine Adams. Nine months ago, he had posted a photo of a pregnancy test report. That day also happened to be my and Wendy's wedding anniversary. At that time, I hadn't been able to reach Wendy for an entire day. It wasn't until 11:30 pm that she finally came home in a flurry. "I'm sorry, honey. I was at Mount Serpentine getting this blessed chain when I accidentally fell down the stairs." She removed the cross necklace from me and replaced the chain. Ten years ago, after donating blood to save me, Wendy had gone to an abbey at Mount Serpentine and gotten this crystal cross pendant. It was just an ordinary pendant, but later on, I had it made into a matching pair. So then, we each had one. Although it wasn't worth much, I treasured it deeply. And now, it had become nothing more than an excuse for her lies. Seeing my pale face, Wendy quickly helped me to the couch and sat me down. "Honey, is it another headache bothering you? I'm sorry. I didn't realize you weren't feeling well…" I quietly watched Wendy, searching her eyes for even the slightest hint of deceit. But there was none. She was genuinely worried about me and feeling sorry for me. However, the more sincerely she loved me, the more confused I became. How could she love me while also liking someone else? Before I could answer, Wendy's phone chimed. After reading the text, she gave a faint smile unknowingly. She didn't even seem to realize she was doing it. It wasn't until she looked up and caught my strange expression that she finally snapped back to reality. "Honey, you go ahead and eat first. I'm going out right now to buy you medicine!" With that, she hurried out without even grabbing her coat. Picking up my phone, I scrolled through Instagram and saw that Blaine had posted something five minutes earlier. Chapter 2 Xander's POV The photo was of a table full of carefully prepared dishes, with the caption, "I wonder what my son is whimpering about. Is he hungry for his mommy's food, or is he saying he misses his mommy?" So, Wendy's previous claim that she only cooked for me was also a lie. The cross hanging by my neck suddenly felt piercingly cold. I took it off and held it up in the air, examining it carefully. Then I let go. The necklace fell to the ground and shattered into pieces in an instant. For a long time, I sat there in a daze before numbly getting to my feet and walking over to the dining table. With just the first bite, I could tell that these came from the restaurant near the villa. I smiled mockingly. Wendy must have been in too much of a hurry today, so she had no time to cook for me. She no longer even bothered with the last pretense. At that moment, Wendy's breathless voice came from the doorway. "Honey, are you feeling better? The pharmacies were all closed. I ran three blocks before I finally bought…" Before she could even finish, her expression shifted. She had seen the shattered cross on the floor—reminiscent of the love between us that had broken at some point. Her voice came out hoarse and trembling as she asked, "What happened? How did the cross shatter? Xander, do you know how hard it was for me to get this for you? "Are you angry? But even if you're angry, you can't just smash the pendant? "Honey, since your matching pendant has shattered, does that mean you don't feel the same way about me anymore? A-Are you going to leave me?" Looking at Wendy's panicked and frightened expression, I felt nothing but disgust. A woman who wanted to have it all was truly amazing at putting on an act. If a shattered cross was enough to rattle her this much, then would she go mad on the day I disappeared for good? I looked down at the woman crouching before me and said faintly, "I don't know either. It seems the chain wasn't very sturdy." Wendy opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something. I knew she was starting to question the quality of the chain herself. After all, I had just looked it up—there was nowhere to get a blessed chain at Mount Serpentine. I went straight to the bedroom, but Wendy didn't come in for a long time. When I got up in the middle of the night for some water, I saw her in the study, carefully gluing the broken pieces of the cross back together. I scoffed silently. What a waste of her efforts. Still, for some reason, a stabbing ache spread through my chest. Just as I was about to close the study door, Wendy came over holding a blanket. "It's cold. Take this. "Don't worry, honey. Tomorrow, we'll take the cross to the store and figure something out. "Also, your birthday is the day after tomorrow. I'll buy you anything you want." I stared at her blankly, wanting to ask her, "Ms. Fisher, where exactly can I buy a love that will last forever?" … The next day, at the jewelry shop, Wendy picked out a new necklace for me. I accepted it expressionlessly and handed her a beautiful sandalwood box at the same time. My tone was colder than it had ever been as I said, "Open it on my birthday." This was the first time I had been so secretive about giving her a gift. It was completely unlike me. Wendy's eyes lit up. She took the box with delighted surprise, a blissful smile spreading across her face. "Okay! Whatever you say, honey!" Just then, a familiar voice came from behind us. "Oh, Xander! What brings you here?" I turned my head. Sure enough, it was Blaine, Wendy's assistant. When the sales associates saw him, they immediately stood respectfully in a row. "Greetings, boss!" Boss? I turned to look at Wendy, whose expression was extremely grim. Blaine had joined the company three years ago. He came from a poor background, but he was hardworking and had a way with words, so I had always looked out for him specifically. Chapter 3 Xander's POV And what happened after? Not only was Blaine ungrateful, but he had also gotten together with my wife. Blaine chuckled lightly and deliberately said to me, "Xander, this shop was a gift from my wife. Feel free to pick anything. I'm in a good mood today, so I'll give you whatever you want." Wendy, who had been silent until then, suddenly looked tense. "Honey, we should head home first," she said coldly. But Blaine stepped in front of us, plastering on a fake smile. "Xander, my wife just gave birth to a son. Why don't you come celebrate with us over dinner? "I heard you really like kids. You can even hold my son." Before I could answer, Wendy immediately refused. "No. My husband isn't feeling well today. "Blaine, even if you have a loving wife who takes care of you, you should still have a career of your own as a man. Come back to work as soon as your paternity leave is over! "That's enough. No need to see us out." Her tone was firm and left no room for argument. Honestly, I had to admire Wendy's acting skills. We had barely taken a step before we heard Blaine say dejectedly, "You're right, Ms. Fisher. My wife might dote on me for a while, but she can't take care of me forever. "I just feel sorry for my newborn son…" Blaine began to sigh loudly, but Wendy didn't look back. She just tightened her grip on my hand. … Once we got home, Wendy hugged me tightly and murmured in a low voice, "Honey, if I ever do anything to hurt you, you have to let me explain, okay? "I really, really love you. You're more important than my life. I swear, I really love you! "Honey, are you listening? I really can't live without you—" Before she could finish, her phone suddenly rang. The caller ID showed Blaine's name. Wendy immediately let go of me, as if she were afraid I'd see the name. She rejected the call. But the next second, her phone chimed with a text. Wendy immediately stood up and headed for the door, blurting out a lie without even thinking. "Honey, the office just called. There's an emergency at work." Five minutes later, I received a text from Blaine. "Xander, do you know what it means to rule from behind the throne?" Then, in the next instant, he called me. Through the receiver came Wendy's muffled, furious voice. "Who told you to come to my house?" Blaine complained in a wounded tone, "You're so mean. I let it slide when you put on an act in front of that old fart just now, but now you're yelling at me too?" "Alright, I was wrong. I won't yell anymore. I wouldn't bear a son for that old fart anyway. How could he compare to you?" Wendy said softly. Blaine snorted. "But you hugged him just now! Why? What's so special about him? Isn't he just a sugar baby you've been supporting for ten years? Ugh, I'm jealous!" "Fine, I won't hug him anymore. I won't touch him from now on, okay? Don't be jealous. Give me a kiss." After a flurry of audible kisses, Wendy's breathing grew ragged. She lowered her voice and said, "You fox! Do you really have to tease me in the car?" Blaine huffed playfully. "Yeah, I do! I love messing around right under your husband's nose. Isn't the thrill what you love most?" When the sounds became vile to listen to, I hung up. Then I smashed my phone violently on the cross pendant that had been glued back together. This time, the cross didn't just break into pieces. Under my tireless grinding, it was reduced to nothing but powder. That night, Wendy didn't come home. She only sent me a message. "Honey, I'm pulling an all-nighter to set up your birthday party, so I won't be back tonight. Rest well. I'll give you a huge surprise tomorrow." Chapter 4 Xander's POV I didn't reply to the text. Instead, I turned around and began sorting through everything Wendy and I had accumulated over the past ten years. The vast rose garden that Wendy had personally planted for me, the hair tie she bought during one of our flea market trips, and even the photos we had taken together on our travels over the years—I destroyed everything connected to me, one by one. Blaine sent me a live update every half hour, as if worried I wouldn't know my wife was with him. When midnight struck, countless birthday wishes from relatives and friends flooded my phone. Only Wendy's was missing. She hadn't forgotten. She was just too exhausted and had fallen asleep. The next morning, before dawn broke, I blocked every number and account belonging to the two of them. Then I snapped my SIM card in half and threw it into the trash. Finally, I set fire to the villa that had been filled with ten years of memories. The flames soared into the sky, illuminating the road ahead of me. All the photographs, clothes, and jewelry—even the emerald necklace Wendy had bought just yesterday—went up in flames, carrying with it all the love and resentment I had carried for ten years. In the blink of an eye, everything was reduced to ashes. From now on, Xander Fisher was dead—and Xander Lynch was reborn. … By the time I arrived at the airport, Emily had already sent a private jet to pick me up. Before boarding my flight, I saw the news of the villa fire being broadcast live on a giant screen. I spotted Wendy, her face deathly pale. She stood amid the ruins, on the verge of a breakdown, and kept repeating, "How did this happen? Why?" She frantically asked the police and paramedics whether I was still alive, but they all stared at her like she was insane. In the end, the police spoke up helplessly. "Our condolences, Ms. Fisher. This fire was caused by a gas leak, and there were no casualties. Who is this Xander Fisher you keep mentioning?" Ever since I married Wendy, she had kept me in that villa. And only now did I realize that, for ten years, I had willingly become her pampered househusband. She didn't allow me to have contact with the opposite gender. Later, she even got jealous of people of the same gender. So, not to mention making new friends, I didn't even have a neighbor to visit. I took one last glance at the broadcast, then turned and headed for the gate. … Third-Person POV Wendy never imagined a time would come when proving Xander's existence would be this difficult. She gritted her teeth and checked the surveillance footage, only to be told the system had been hacked three days ago. Still refusing to give up, Wendy used every connection she had to find Xander's whereabouts. Five minutes later, her friend finally found a photo of him standing in front of a private jet, his back to the camera. "I tried my best, Wendy. But seriously, how could your freeloader of a husband possibly afford a private jet?" When Wendy saw the Lynch Group logo on the side of the jet, her face instantly went pale, and a thought surfaced in her mind. Xander was about to become himself again. He didn't want her anymore. At that moment, a button was pressed somewhere, and the sandalwood box that had been sitting in Wendy's car suddenly started blaring an alarm. Unbeknownst to Wendy, Xander had placed a divorce agreement inside the box. Wendy's hands trembled as she picked up the box, clutching it like a lifeline. "That's right! How could I have forgotten! Xander left me a gift! "I knew it! He loves me! He hasn't abandoned me!" Wendy, acting as if she had just been pardoned, carefully opened the sandalwood box.