Chapter 2 

“Matilda, are you ready yet?” 

Every year on my birthday, Grady was always running late. Yet for Catherine’s birthday, he managed to be at the restaurant an hour and a half early. As I read the message he sent, a wave of sadness swept over me. 

“I’m at the hospital, so I can’t make it to her party.” 

But Grady wasn’t going to let me off that easily. 

“An allergy is hardly a reason to be in the hospital. Do you really need to blow this out of proportion?” 

“Everyone from my company will be there. As the boss’s wife, you can’t just skip it. I’m coming to get you now.” 

In what felt like no time at all, he drove from the restaurant to the hospital. Within ten minutes, he was standing in the doorway of my 

room. Seeing me in the hospital bed didn’t stir a hint of concern in him-just pure disdain. 

“You look like a bloated mess, kind of like a pulled pork sandwich,” he scoffed, holding up a fancy dress that had a Victorian flair, clearly expecting me to wear it. 

My mouth, barely able to move because of the swelling, struggled to resist. 

“Grady, I really don’t want to go. Please don’t make me.” 

He stood there silently for a moment before finally speaking. 

“Looking like this, you’d only embarrass me if you showed up. Maybe it’s better if you just-” 

He was about to relent when a ringtone interrupted him. 

“Grady, have you picked up Matilda yet?” 

He looked torn but under Catherine’s sweet persuasion, he gave in to her request. 

“Did you hear that? Catherine just wants to celebrate with you. Don’t mess it up for me.” 

The mirror in the hospital room was small, but enough to see my swollen face and the red welts covering my body. I slowly walked out of the restroom, where Grady stood waiting impatiently by the door. 

“Come on, let’s go.” 

He didn’t even give me a second glance. 

I followed him, each step sending a dull pain through my abdomen. Inside, I made a silent decision. 

I’ll go with him one last time, as a farewell. After tonight, I’m leaving Grady for good.