Six Months After the Divorce, I Messaged My Ex-Husband to Wish Him a Happy Birthday. His 13-Word Reply Stunned Me.

It’s been half a year since the day I signed the divorce papers, yet there are moments when I still feel like everything just happened yesterday. Life after divorce isn’t as tumultuous as people imagine, nor is it so tragic that you cry every day. It’s just a series of ordinary, quiet days—sometimes empty, sometimes suddenly heartbreaking over very small things.

That day was a Friday evening. After finishing up work at the shop, I rushed home to have dinner with my family. My mother had prepared a full, hearty meal and invited my older sister and brother-in-law over to make the gathering complete. The family atmosphere was warm; everyone was laughing and chatting, as if nothing could break that moment.

Until my 6-year-old niece looked up with her big, round eyes and asked: “Auntie, everyone is here, so why hasn’t Uncle come yet?”

That innocent question caused the entire dining table to fall silent. My sister quickly chided her affectionately, telling her to eat and stop asking so many questions. I just managed a weak smile, then gently told my niece that ‘Uncle’ wouldn’t be coming anymore, because her aunt had been divorced for half a year.

Children don’t fully understand the meaning of the word “divorce.” She just looked at me with a mix of curiosity and confusion, then kept quiet. But that question stirred up a very indescribable feeling inside me. It turned out that some things you thought you had already let go of only need a small reminder to appear crystal clear again.

My marriage lasted exactly two years. If I had to use a few words to describe it, I think “meant to be, but not fated to last” would suffice. We dated for a mere five months before deciding to marry. I was only 22 at the time, and I believed absolutely in love, believing that love was all we needed, that he was my destiny, and that I would be his companion until the end of time.

My parents had advised me to think carefully, saying that marriage is not like dating; it cannot be based solely on temporary feelings. But back then, I was young, stubborn, and believed that with love, all difficulties could be overcome. I didn’t listen.

After getting married, I realized married life was far from a fairytale. We were too different—from our personalities and daily habits to our perspectives on life. Small conflicts accumulated into large ones, and gradually, all that was left between us was silence. Not to mention, the strained relationship between my mother-in-law and me made everything even more suffocating.

I tried very hard during those two years. But at some point, you realize that trying hard isn’t always enough to hold things together. When both my body and spirit were exhausted, I chose to let go. We divorced peacefully, without arguments or resentment. Before we parted, he held my hand and said something very gentle:

— “I wish you find true happiness soon.”

That very kindness hurt me for a long time.

After the divorce, we barely kept in touch. Occasionally, it was just a courtesy text on special occasions. A month ago, on my birthday, he sent a simple congratulatory message. I politely replied, thinking everything was truly closed.

Until his birthday.

That evening, lying on the sofa watching TV, I hesitated for a long time. In the end, I still sent a birthday message, simply as a courtesy between two people who were once close. But just a few seconds later, my phone vibrated. When I read the reply, my heart felt squeezed.

“Don’t bother my husband anymore, or don’t blame me for being vicious.”

Thirteen short words, cold, and full of bitterness. I immediately understood that he had someone new, and the message wasn’t written by him. But I was truly shocked that he could forget the past and move on to someone new so quickly. Or, was it possible he already had someone new even before the divorce? Regardless of the answer, it no longer matters now.

I thought I had moved on, but in that moment, I realized how much my heart still hurt. Not because I was still in love, but because of the feeling of being replaced, dismissed, and brutally hurt.

That night, I hid in my room and cried like a child. After midnight, he texted back an apology, saying the other person had been inappropriate, thanked me for my wishes, and wished me luck in finding the right person soon.

I read that message, and tears fell again.

It turns out the heart I thought had become numb after the breakdown could still be so vulnerable. But that very moment, I understood that I needed to learn to let go completely, not for him, but for myself.

I hope that after tonight, I will no longer be so sentimental. I hope that one day, I will meet the truly suitable person, who can walk the rest of the way with me, with understanding and peace, and not just with the promises of youth.