Chapter 3

The video got deleted before it could finish playing, and right after that, Andrew called.

"Honey, don't get the wrong idea. Vivian lost her balance and fell, so I just helped her up," Andrew said.

I blinked, confused. "I didn't think anything of it," I replied.

"Then don't be mad. On William's birthday, you were working, so I just," Andrew continued.

I was even more lost. "Why would I be mad?" I asked.

Andrew was silent for a moment, clearly caught off guard. After a pause, he said, "I'll come pick you up tonight, and we'll go out for dinner."

Before I could say I didn't want to go, the call ended with a beep.

Andrew came to pick me up and took me straight to a seafood restaurant.

As soon as we walked in, the manager barely glanced at me, heading straight for Andrew with a respectful bow. "Mr. Dalton, welcome. Mrs. Dalton is already waiting in the Kinsnow Room."

Andrew's face shifted. Before he could say a word, Vivian came out from inside. Her eyes sparkled when she saw us, and she jogged over, all smiles and sweetness.

"Hi, Andrew," she called out, her voice playful and affectionate.

Then, as if she'd only just noticed me, she chirped, "Oh, Claire, you're here, too."

"You've never been here before, right? Andrew's obsessed with their sea urchin salad," she added.

The manager glanced around, then quickly made himself scarce.

I gave a faint smile. "What a coincidence," I replied.

Andrew's expression flickered. He reached out for my hand, but I turned away. "Let's go. I'm starving," I said.

Throughout the meal, Andrew was totally distracted; he kept looking over at me, serving me food, and telling me all about each dish.

I just nodded along every now and then, and finally let out a sigh. "Can we just eat?"

Halfway through the meal, the owner came over to talk to us, and that's when I realized the place was actually owned by Andrew's friend, Sam Carter.

Sam immediately apologized, saying the staff had mixed up the guests and didn't know any better.

I knew he was just covering for Andrew; his friends always had his back, no matter what.

I gave a small smile. "It's really no big deal. Thanks for coming over."

Sam looked a little surprised that I wasn't making a scene. He chatted for a bit before leaving.

After dinner, I came back from the restroom and saw Andrew with his arm around a drunk Vivian, doting on her with that soft, caring look.

Last year, I got wasted at a work party. My coworker used my phone to call Andrew, but he flat-out refused to come get me.

After my coworker dropped me off, I kept messing up the door code. It was freezing out, and I ended up sleeping in the hallway all night.

It turned out that Andrew was home the whole time. I only found out the next morning.

"I didn't want to let you in. I wanted to teach you a lesson. Drinking so late? You must be crazy," he snapped.

Thinking about all that, I went back to the private room, grabbed my bag, and left.

As soon as I got home, Andrew called, "Claire, are you crazy? You just left without saying a word? Do you have any idea how long I waited for you?"

I said calmly, "Andrew, let's get a divorce."

This was the second time I'd brought up divorce. The first was on our wedding anniversary last year.

Andrew went to the aquarium with Vivian, and we got into a huge fight. He pushed me so hard I hit the floor and had a miscarriage.

I thought threatening him with divorce would make him change, but he just agreed without hesitation.

So I cried my heart out, begging him to forgive me for what I said in the heat of the moment.

But this time, I really meant it.

Andrew was stunned.