Chapter 5

The elevator reached the eighteenth floor.

The doors opened, and I stepped out first.

David followed behind, sounding a bit desperate. "I cleaned up the master bedroom again last night. Changed all the bedding. I got rid of your nightgown and slippers. If you're still bothered by it, I'll go shopping with you for new ones."

I paused at the door. "David, you were asking me yesterday why I'm selling the house."

David pressed his lips together.

I pushed the door open and walked in.

The place was definitely cleaned up.

The living room looked spotless, and the master bedroom had brand new gray-blue sheets. My nightgown, slippers, and the meds Sophie left behind were nowhere to be seen.

But there was still a faint scent of cooling pads hanging in the air.

David walked over to me. "Emily, don't sell the house. I can act like the listing never happened. Stop letting the realtor bring people over. Let's put all this behind us."

"Let's put all this behind us."

He put it like dust on a table. A quick swipe and it was gone.

Then, the doorbell rang.

Alex showed up with the first group of clients.

David's face immediately darkened.

I opened the door.

Behind Alex was a middle-aged couple and their college-aged son. As soon as they stepped inside, they slipped on shoe covers at the entryway. David stood right in the middle of the living room, in the way, like a piece of furniture nobody wanted.

Alex gave his pitch like a pro. "The owner lives here, so it's really well-kept. The living room is big, bright, and airy, and the master bedroom comes with a bay window."

The middle-aged woman walked into the master bedroom and instantly loved it.

"This room feels so comfortable. I bet the morning sunlight is wonderful," she said.

Her son wandered over to the bay window, checking out the greenery outside. "It's close to the subway, so commuting will be super convenient for me."

When David heard that, his expression instantly turned icy.

"It's not decided if we're selling yet," David said, his tone cold.

Alex was caught off guard.

The middle-aged man frowned. "Wait, what? Isn't it up for sale online?"

I walked over. "It's for sale. What he says doesn't change anything."

David looked at me. "Emily, don't say that with the clients here."

The middle-aged woman glanced between us, obviously picking up on the tension.

I pulled out the property report and a copy of the listing authorization from my bag and handed them to Alex.

"Alex, show the clients the ownership status," I said.

Alex took the documents and jumped right in. "The title is clear, and the owner has sole ownership, so everything's good for a straightforward sale. Deposit, digital contract signing, and mortgage will all go through the usual process."

David gripped the edge of the coffee table.

"You're really going to let someone else move into our room?" David said.

The middle-aged couple's expressions grew even more uneasy.

I took the property report back and put it in my bag. "Right now, this room is for showings."

David fixed his gaze on me, his eyes rimmed with red.

Judging by those eyes, he probably didn't sleep at all last night.

The middle-aged couple didn't linger. After checking out the kitchen and bathroom, they politely said they'd think about it. Alex escorted them to the elevator, and when he came back, he was sweating bullets.

"Ms. York, do you still want to show the next two groups?" Alex asked.

"Yes," I said.

David let out a cold laugh. "Are you really trying to embarrass me today?"

I ignored him, walked into the master bedroom, and opened the window.

The breeze drifted in, making the curtains sway softly.

This room had been slept in by Sophie, cleaned up by David, and now buyers were chatting about the lighting and how convenient the commute would be.

Within a matter of days, it had gone from the master bedroom of our wedding home to another listing on the market.

The doorbell rang again.

Alex was standing outside, looking even more on edge.

I walked over to open the door.

Suddenly, David reached out and held the doorknob, stopping me.

"This is the last time," he said, fixing me with a hard stare. "Once this group is done, you take the listing down."

I stared at his hand.

The clients were already outside, and I could hear a kid whispering through the door.

I said, "Move your hand."

David didn't move.

I pulled out my phone and called Alex.

Alex picked up outside, and his voice came through both the phone and the door.

I put him on speaker. "Mr. Carter is blocking the showing. Please note this down. If this ends up affecting the sale, I'll expect compensation for any actual losses."

David's fingers stiffened.

A few seconds later, he let go of the doorknob and stepped aside.

The door opened.

When the second group of clients walked in, David was already sitting at the dining table, keeping quiet.