Chapter 1

My marriage with my wife was merely a business arrangement.

For three years, our conversations revolved solely around business, absent of any affection.

On this particular day, I chose my words carefully:

"She's back, and we..."

Eleanora, standing on her tiptoes to help adjust my tie, paused briefly and nodded slightly:

"Understood.

"Let me know when the divorce papers are ready. I'll pack my things and leave today."

---

Eleanora let go of the half-knotted tie and quietly made her way to the bedroom. Her slippers made no sound on the floor, like a cat's footsteps. Suddenly, I felt a twinge of reluctance. After all, we had shared this space for over a thousand days and nights. Even a day of marriage can create a bond.

"There's no rush to pack up your things.

"Raya might not even prefer this apartment."

Raya was naturally selective, and marrying someone who had been divorced, like me, was already a concession for her. She might not be comfortable living in a place where Eleanora had once stayed. I was considering buying a spacious apartment in the city for us, making Raya’s commute more convenient.

Eleanora replied softly with an "Mm." Despite her agreement, when I got home from work that evening, she had already left. Her frequently worn clothes were gone from the closet. The limited edition pieces I had given her annually, never worn, remained behind.

The wedding ring lay quietly on the coffee table. The used bedsheets had been replaced with a new set. The place was so spotless, it was like she had never been there.

It dawned on me that perhaps Eleanora had been prepared to leave from the moment she arrived three years ago. She never put up a single decoration or shifted any furniture even slightly.

Before our marriage, we privately signed a contract. If either of us found someone else, the marriage would end automatically. Yet Eleanora's swift and unceremonious departure left me feeling somewhat irked. It showed she had no attachment to our past.

I had even worried that the divorce might hurt her.

So when Raya video-called me, I was feeling a touch vindictive. "Ernesto, could you come over? I'm scared of the dark," Raya requested, looking pitiful in a revealing nightgown on the other side of the call.

"Why don't you come over to my place," I suggested, my resolve quickly softening.

Raya came over. As she shed her coat, she was left in that lacy nightgown. We ended up in the bed that Eleanora had freshly made.

We were just a divorce certificate away—forgive Eleanora! My wife is Raya! She's the woman I've wanted to marry since I was eighteen! Not like Eleanora, who was always cautious and meticulous with precautions every time. Raya said she cherished the unity of soul and body, without any barriers. That night, I experienced an unprecedented thrill.

As Raya lay content beside me, a peculiar thought flitted through my mind: would Eleanora find herself with someone else one day too? A strange uneasiness stirred within me.

I didn't realize I could be so petty; I had only been with her physically, not emotionally. After the divorce, we'd each be free to marry whoever we liked, right? Wasn't that the initial agreement?

So why did I dwell on such trivial matters?

But the irritation lingered. Seeing that I still wasn't asleep, Raya made another move to captivate me, providing an outlet for my frustration. We continued until late into the night.

Eventually, Raya slept peacefully in my arms. I kissed her cheek, gratified by the presence of the woman I loved. Raya had endured so much for me over the years. Now that we were finally reunited, I was determined to make it up to her.