Chapter 3

I really had something going on.

Today was my birthday. It was also our third wedding anniversary with Robert.

Every year, I'd start planning way ahead of time.

I'd book his favorite restaurant, pick out gifts he might actually want, and then wait all day, from morning till night, all by myself.

But he never showed up, not even once.

The first year, he said there was an emergency at work. Later, I found out Mia was at an art exhibition overseas, and he flew out to be with her.

The second year, he said he had to have dinner with an important client. But then I saw on the news that he'd rented out an entire island to throw Mia a birthday party.

Oh, right, I forgot to mention one thing. Mia shared the same birthday as me. How ironic.

My birthday happened to be the same as his first crush's.

Maybe that was one of the reasons that Robert chose me. It was convenient for him, easier to keep track of the dates.

One reason was enough for him. He never cared about the other one anyway.

This year, I didn't prepare anything at all.

I wanted a quiet birthday for myself.

I found a quiet corner on the rooftop and fished a tiny cupcake out of my pocket.

I'd bought it this morning, but it was a bit misshapen after being squished.

I stuck a single candle into it and lit it with my lighter.

The wind was strong, making the flame wobble unsteadily, as if it might go out any second.

Facing that faint glow, I closed my eyes and put my hands together in prayer.

Every year, my wish was always the same. "I hope Robert will fall in love with me."

But this year, my wish changed. "I hope I can get divorced soon and finally love myself."

I blew out the candle and opened my eyes. My phone screen lit up with a notification. It was a text from the bank. I received a transfer of 1.5 million.

It was from Robert. This was how Robert tried to pacify me.

He figured he could hurt me one moment, then toss me a sweet reward the next. Then, I'd obediently fall in line.

Almost immediately, my phone rang. It was Robert.

I watched as his name lit up on my screen and picked up.

"Did you get the money?" His voice was icy as always.

"Yeah." I nodded.

"Then put those papers away and don't let me see them again." He meant the divorce papers. "Keep your head down. Everything that comes with being Mrs. Wilson is yours, but don't push my boundaries."

His words were laced with warning.

As I listened, I could hear more than his voice on the other end.

There was music, laughter, and the sound of a lively party.

I even heard someone shout. "Mia, make a wish."

I gripped the squished cupcake in my hand, and suddenly, I felt a laugh bubbling up inside me.

"Robert," I asked quietly, "where are you?"

There was a pause on his end, as if my question caught him off guard.

"I'm out. Got something to deal with," he said, sounding vague.

"You're celebrating Mia's birthday, aren't you?" I confronted him directly.

The line went dead silent.

It was so quiet that I could hear Mia's playful giggle in the background. "Robert, who's on the phone? Come on, we're about to cut the cake."

He couldn't even be bothered to make up a lie for me. Or maybe, he thought there was no point.

"Isabella," Robert's voice grew cold, "I've told you. Don't push my boundaries."

Mia was his bottom line.

For me, even mentioning her name was forbidden.

"Alright," I said. "I'll have my lawyer handle the divorce papers. And I'll pay back every cent you gave me."

"And one more thing, Robert." I paused, and in the calmest voice I had ever used, I told him, "I wish you and Ms. Davis a lifetime of happiness together."

I didn't give him a chance to reply. I hung up and blocked him without hesitation. Just like that, it was over in one go.