The Masterpiece of Leaving：Prepared A Perfect Stand-In For Him novel Chapter 5

Her soft words hit Lysander like a sledgehammer to the heart.

But within seconds, his composure returned. "Leaving? Where are you going on vacation this time?"

Navier froze, unable to suppress a bitter realization.

After all these years by his side, he had never once considered the possibility she might actually leave him. That's why, even when she spoke her truth, he automatically assumed she was just planning another trip.

She parted her lips to speak, but Lysander cut her off, dismissing her words entirely: "Skip the travel plans for now. In a few days it'll be the anniversary of my first meeting with Ophelia. I'm throwing a banquet. You can handle the preparations.”

Navier said nothing more, just nodded. “Got it.”

For days, she busied herself with the event.

The gala was extravagant—white lilies, Ophelia's favorite flower in life, adorned the entire venue. Under the dazzling lights, the scene looked like something from a dream.

Amid the clinking glasses and mingling guests, snippets of conversation reached her ears.

“Lysander is really something, huh? It’s been years, he still can't forget Ophelia. Throwing a whole damn banquet just to celebrate the day they met, even though she's gone—the power of a first love is something else entirely."

“Right? And his wife? God, I don’t know how she puts up with it. She even planned the whole thing herself. No way in hell I’d be able to do that because of love.”

Love? Perhaps once upon a time.

As she reached for a glass of wine, she spotted Lysander placing an elegantly wrapped gift box before Ophelia's framed photograph.

Then, his friends approached.

“Man, you’re really pushing it this time. Look, we all get it—Ophelia was special. But you’ve got a wife who’s spent years loving you. What if she finally decides she’s had enough?”

Lysander gave a soft laugh, his tone tinged with disdain and self-assurance. "Anyone else might leave me, but she won't."