However, in the silence, all I can hear is my own muffled sobs.[]
I turn to look at him.
He’s quietly leaning against the car window, softly snoring off his buzz.
Driving back home, Dax stumbles groggily into the bedroom and crashes into bed.]
I sit alone on the couch until dawn.]]
The moment sunlight hits the dried tear stains on my face, I finally dial my lawyer’s number:[]
“Sorry for calling so early, but please draft me a divorce agreement.“]]
When I hang up, my phone suddenly pings with a message–a calendar reminder:
Today is my birthday.
I glance at it briefly, then flip my phone face down on the table and head to the bathroom, wanting to wash away all the exhaustion.]
When I finished, Dax walks in.]
He wraps his arms around my waist from behind and nuzzles his head against my shoulder intimately.
“Morning, honey. You’re up early.”
Acting as if nothing happened last night.
It’s always like this.
All our conflicts go unresolved–as long as I don’t bring them up, he just plays dumb and pretends everything’s fine.
I say nothing, just stand to the side watching him hurry through washing up, grinning foolishly every now and then.] Then he cheerfully tells me, “I need to go check out Kai’s camping site project later. You stay home and rest.“] I’m about to speak when he turns away, fingers tapping away at his screen.[]
ལམ་ལ
Someone’s knocking at the door.[]
Dax immediately drops his phone on couch and heads out.]
This gut feeling makes me grab his phone.[]
The screen’s still lit up, showing a group chat called “OG Squad” with messages flying by.
[ I’m downstairs, come bow down to your Daddy Ivy~]
His Truth Was Letting He
Chapter 2
I scroll up.
Each message is like a thousand needles stabbing straight through my heart.[]
[They fight over everything. Ember’s way too dramatic–I never thought you two would work out.]
[Having an outsider mooch off our crew for five years is exhausting. Just divorce her and get with Ivy already!]]]
Ivy sends a hugging emoji: [I’m totally over it! Dax said he’s buying me this amazing glamping site. Some people work their whole lives and still can’t compete with having a good bro~]]]
Dax’s reply right below: [Now you know daddy’s worth, huh?]]]
[Mwah Today we’re going to check it out first. But remember, NO girlfriends allowed!]]]
[Yo Dax, you hear that? Ivy says if you show up, she’s sharing a tent with you tonight to properly ‘thank‘ you!]]]
Ice–cold dread shoots straight to my head, making everything go black.]
How pathetic!
Ivy was the one who invited me into their original group chat, even changed the name to “Lucky 7.“]
Turns out they made a whole new group behind my back.[]
It’s not like I never tried to fit in.
But in their little native circle, I’ll always be the outsider who doesn’t belong.I
My hands shake as I fight the urge to smash this phone, instead taking screenshots of all those messages.
When Dax comes back in, I’ve already put his phone back where it was.
He picks it up, looking like he wants to say something:
“Babe, these people act like they’ve never seen the world. They’re insisting on tagging along. Just stay home and wait for me, okay?”
I calmly grab my purse: “Kai’s been my friend for over a decade. I should be there for this investment too.”
Dax freezes, blocking my path: “You know you don’t vibe with their personalities anyway. I’m not bringing you–saves everyone the awkwardness.“[]
With that, he turns to leave.]
I grab his arm and look him straight in the eye: “Today is my birthday.“[]
I don’t say anything more.[]
This is his last chance.
At the same moment, Ivy’s impatient foot–stomping echoes from the doorway.]
Chapter 2
Dax instantly gets annoyed, shrugging me off roughly.]
“Why are you acting like my mom? Always with the guilt trips. What’s the big deal about birthdays?”
My knuckles slam hard against the table, and my heart aches just as badly.[]
“Tsk!” Unable to wait any longer, Ivy comes in to drag him away and happens to see this scene.]
She stands on her tiptoes and pats Dax on the head.[]
“How did daddy teach you? Be gentler with girls. I think Ember’s dramatic, high–maintenance personality is actually pretty cute you should appreciate what you’ve got, son!“[]
Dax snorts: “That’s just how she is. Always looking for drama. Can’t be happy unless she’s stirring up trouble.“[]
He ignores me completely, reaching out to grab Ivy’s waist: “Who were you calling ‘son‘ just now? So disrespectful!“]]
Ivy giggles as she spins away: “Ooh, you almost touched daddy’s chest! Pervert!”
Dax smirks and actually goes for it: “Oh yeah? These aren’t exactly Victoria’s Secret material.“]]
They all laugh and head out together.]
I stand there feeling like all the air has been sucked out of the room.
Watching them disappear behind the elevator doors, I call Kai.[]
“I’m coming to the glamping site to find you.“]
No questions asked. “Okay.“]]
Growing up with Kai taught me the difference between friendship with boundaries and… whatever this mess is.
Two years dating, three years married.]]
I need to see with my own eyes exactly how disgustingly my marriage with Dax is going to end.[]
The glamping site is way outside the city.]
The early autumn mountain breeze feels cool and refreshing.]
Next to the white tents, a group of guys and girls are whooping it up
Kai finds me a spot on the edge of the campsite with a chair.[]
Across the artificial lake, I watch a bunch of men surround Ivy in the middle.[]
She is in a tank top and hot pants puts on a blindfold and gropes around, then pounces straight into Dax’s arms with perfect accuracy.
Everyone cheers: “Dax loses! Truth! Truth!“]
Chapter 2
“Tell the truth–do you have feelings for tvy?“]
