Chapter 3
Perhaps Laura was right.
At the very least, I knew that in all our years of marriage, Xander had never stood up for me against others like he just did.
He said, "She didn't grow up as wealthy as you. But she still turned out amazing, all thanks to her own hard work.
"Even if you're upset with her, you shouldn't judge her before you hear her side.
"She wanted to surprise you today, that's all."
Suddenly, my heart started racing.
But Xander's voice, heavy with disappointment, lingered in my ears.
"Susi, there's nothing between her and me anymore. Why can't you leave Laura alone?" he said.
Xander wanted me to leave Laura alone.
But when had Laura and Xander ever given me a break?
I stayed silent, making it clear where I stood.
Xander didn't pressure me. He just sped along in silence.
What should've been a twenty-minute drive was over in ten.
When I got out of the car, Laura was waiting for me at the door.
She threw her hands up in mock surrender and stuck out her tongue. "I'm here to grab something. I'll be out of your hair in a sec."
Xander had gotten her that job overseas. So it was only natural they'd still be working together now that she was back.
I'd seen that coming a mile away.
But I never thought Xander would actually let her stay here.
Looking at his determined profile, I could tell he was still angry.
It felt like he was letting me know he was in charge here and I had no choice but to accept it.
When his gaze swept over me, I knew he was waiting for me to make peace so that he might show mercy and ask Laura to leave.
But I didn't. I just walked ahead calmly.
Laura took the guest room at the very end of the hallway.
Right before turning in, she wished me goodnight and apologized once more.
I closed the door in her face, not bothering to respond, and went straight to bed.
I couldn't sleep.
So when Xander quietly got up in the middle of the night, I noticed right away.
But I kept my eyes shut, hiding the tears that were starting to well up.
The hallway light was on, and the game room door, which was usually kept shut, was wide open.
"Xander, this is amazing! You recreated exactly what I pictured for you," Laura said.
"I'm glad you like it. I was worried maybe it's a bit outdated now," Xander replied.
"Of course not, I'm really touched."
I leaned against the wall, my legs nearly giving out beneath me.
Xander had designed the game room himself, obsessing over every tiny detail. I never really got why he cared so much.
He never gave a damn about the rest of the house.
But when it came to the game room, he wouldn't even let me get involved.
So that was it; it was all just for Laura, for her dream.
He must have spent years dreaming about living in this house with Laura.
If it weren't for me, he probably would've had his wish granted.
I drifted back to bed, feeling numb and lost.
That night, Xander never came back.
The last bit of love I had for him faded away with every hour that passed.
When dawn broke, I finally got up, got a hospital registration number on my phone, booked a hotel, threw a few clothes into a bag, and walked out the door.
As I passed the game room, the door was wide open.
I didn't spare it a glance. I just kept walking.
By the time Xander realized I was gone, I was already sitting in a presidential suite, digging into a fancy breakfast the staff had brought up.
My phone kept buzzing on the table. I patiently listened to it ring for a bit. After the fifth call, it finally went quiet.
I knew Xander wouldn't call again.
He'd never had much patience for me. And with the Knowles family falling apart, they needed the Sherwoods' connections to stay afloat.
He was sure I was throwing a temporary tantrum and would never actually leave him.
But maybe he forgot that ever since my dad cheated and my mom took her own life by jumping from a building, I'd stopped expecting anything from the Knowles family.
I married him because I loved him.
Now that I didn't love him anymore, there was nothing holding me back, nothing I'd hesitate to leave behind.
Suddenly, a friend sent me a message out of nowhere. [Wait, isn't that your place? And who's that woman?]
I tapped open the X post.
What popped up was a shot of my familiar dining room wall and table, plus a close-up of a man's hand gripping a mouse, veins standing out under the moody lighting.
The whole scene felt incredibly suggestive.
The caption read: [The best things in life are friends and dreams! PS: Xander totally burned the eggs. Looks like he needs way more practice, lol.]
Laura had posted it half an hour ago.
Her feed was wiped clean except for this single post.
Her main account had hundreds of thousands of followers. But this was the first time I'd ever seen this alt account.
He was willing to pull an all-nighter with her and even make her breakfast.
He must've enjoyed himself so much that night.
If I hadn't been the third wheel, he would've been over the moon.
I replied to my friend: [No idea. I'll ask Xander.] Then I immediately forwarded the whole chat to Xander.
He was always obsessed with keeping up appearances. I wondered what kind of face he'd pull when he saw that post.
Half an hour later, Xander called again. I picked up.