Chapter 2
Staggering home, I collapsed onto the bed. Staring at the photos lining the wall across from me, all I felt was sorrow.
The shy girl from my school days, the bright smiles during our whirlwind romance, the calm routine of married life, and now… nothing but emptiness.
I realized it had been ages since we’d taken a photo together.
Three days later, Evan returned, bringing a bouquet of roses. “Babe, I missed you so much. Look, I brought you flow- ers–do you like them?”
I glanced at them. They were pink–my least favorite color.
He didn’t care about my reaction and just hurried off to the bathroom.
I used to make excuses for his obsession with cleanliness. Now, it just felt hypocritical and sickening.
I picked up the flowers. The petals were already wilting, and tucked among them was a card that read, “To my beloved Aveline.”
I let out a bitter laugh. Of course.
Evan came out, towel–drying his hair. “What’s so funny, babe? You look so happy.”
I crumpled up the card and shook my head slightly. “It’s nothing.”
He stepped closer but still kept his distance. “By the way, your birthday’s coming up in three days. We should do something special. If there’s anything you want, just let me know.”
Looking at the space he kept between us, all I felt was sadness.
All these years, there had always been this distance between us.
Everyone said he was young, successful, and doted on me. I’d even convinced myself of that.
But now, with Aveline in the picture, I finally understood–the distance between us was like a galaxy, impossible to
cross.
Swallowing my bitterness, I forced a smile and asked, “Alright, but what if you can’t give me what I want?”
“Elira, anything I have, I’ll give you,” he replied gently. “And if that’s not enough, then maybe in the next life, or the one after that.”
His sweet words felt like knives, twisting deeper into my heart.
I knew there would be no next time for us.
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15:00
Chapter 2
Tears fell before I could stop them. He rushed to hand me a tissue, just as my hand reached up to wipe my face.
His expression twisted in discomfort. He muttered, “Sorry,” and hurried into the bathroom.
The sound of running water and the harsh squirt of sanitizer were painfully loud.
The tissue fell to the floor, without wiping away a single tear.
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Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Aveline stood at the door, her eyes cold and challenging. “Ms. Vance, I’m here to take Mr. Corven to his meeting.”
“Didn’t I tell you to wait downstairs?” Evan rushed out, his eyes darting.
Aveline pouted. “It’s freezing outside. The snow’s coming down hard.”
Evan’s concern was obvious. He quickly grabbed his coat from the rack and draped it over Aveline’s shoulders.
Catching my gaze, he covered it up with a sigh. “She’s just a kid. I don’t want her catching a cold and missing work.”
His words sent me back to a snowy day long ago when my mother made me stand outside as punishment.
Evan’s nose was red from the cold, but he stubbornly wrapped his coat around me. “It’s freezing. If you get sick, you’ll miss school.”
My knees still ache when it snows, and that coat ended up in the trash, but after my father died, it was the only warmth I had.
Clinging to one last shred of hope, I spoke, my voice trembling. “My leg hurts so much. Can you stay with me tonight?”
Evan paused, annoyance flashing in his eyes. “Elira, if you’re not feeling well, see a doctor. Don’t act like a child.”
I stared blankly as the door slammed shut, my heart sinking lower and lower.
Five minutes later, the doorbell rang again.
I thought it was Evan and hurried to open the door–only to find Aveline.
“Elira Vance, stop playing games. He doesn’t love you,” she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “Want to bet? Even on your birthday, he’ll be with me.
“After all, you’ve been married five years and you’re still a prude–while he’s been with me more times than I can count.”
I thought I’d lose control, but I didn’t. I was eerily calm.
Back in my room, I took out the divorce papers and signed my name.
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15:01
Chapter 3
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Chapter 3
