Chapter 3

After grabbing a late-night snack, I picked up a bottle of beer and sipped it by the riverside until the clock struck nearly midnight before making my way back home.

Pushing open the door, I was startled to find Kai lounging in the living room. Lately, he’d been tied up with 'urgent matters' involving Adrianna, often keeping him out until dawn—or not coming home at all. Between our dual medical careers, we barely saw each other anymore.

When we first married, Kai had just taken over the clinic. He was either pulling overtime or schmoozing at business dinners every night. All I could do was whip up healthy meals for him whenever I had a spare moment. Instead of gratitude, though, Kai likened me to a nagging housekeeper, driving him up the wall.

Once the clinic settled, Adrianna waltzed into the scene. His busy schedule shifted from clinic duties to Adrianna-centric emergencies. I shook my head, trying to clear the fog of thoughts, and met Kai’s icy glare.

'Soleil, you’ve been drinking? You know I can’t stand the stench of alcohol,' he sneered.

I blinked but stayed silent. I knew his dislikes were selective. When Adrianna overindulged, Kai doted on her. But for me, it was his 'most hated smell.' Favoritism was his forte, and it seemed our separation was inevitable.

Kai seemed caught off guard by my silence. In the past, if he ditched me for Adrianna, I’d have confronted him, demanding answers. As I contemplated heading for a shower, Kai unexpectedly asked if I knew what day it was.

Glancing at my phone, I realized yesterday had been my birthday. I say 'yesterday' because it was already past midnight. In previous years, I’d drop hints a week in advance. If he was in a good mood, he’d get me a gift; if not, he’d brush it off as trivial.

This was the first time since our marriage that he’d mentioned my birthday unprompted. Feeling the buzz, I yawned and lazily replied, 'It’s just a birthday, no big deal…'

Before I could finish, Kai impatiently tossed a gift box at me, his tone tinged with regret. 'I got this for you. See if you like it.'

If I was surprised he remembered, I was floored he’d actually bought me something. It was like the sun rising in the west. In the past, I’d have gushed with thanks, snapping photos from every angle to flaunt on social media.

I picked up the box from the floor and set it casually on the dining table, muttering, 'Thanks, you shouldn’t have. I really like it.'

My indifference threw Kai off balance, and he began to fumble. 'I messed up missing today, but I’ve apologized! Adrianna’s brother entrusted her to me on his deathbed. I have to take responsibility.'

Head down, replying to messages, I shot back, 'Sure, I know you’re responsible, especially when you two had a cozy five-day getaway in the UK.'

My words flickered guilt across Kai’s face before his brows knitted, his expression darkening.

It was all his fault, yet he just glared at me coldly. In the past, I’d have scrambled to smooth things over, admitting fault. Over time, Kai believed that as long as he wore a stern face, I’d fall in line.

But this time, I focused on the lawyer’s messages. Divorce was my priority now. Noticing my silence, Kai approached and asked what I was looking at.

I turned off my phone and shrugged, 'Just consulting someone about a few things.'

'I had a drink, so I’ll crash in the guest room tonight.'

With that, I ignored Kai’s expression and shut the guest room door behind me.

The night passed without dreams.