Chapter 2

It’s different for you. It doesn’t matter if you wake up late tomorrow. ”

I gave a self-deprecating laugh. I was an illustrator, so my time was indeed flexible. But that wasn’t Liam’s reason to order me around. Apparently, my own well-being was insignificant in his eyes. I took a deep breath, staring at him intently. “Liam, let’s put everything else aside for a moment. Can you at least respect me? I’m talking about divorce right now. ”

Liam’s cold expression finally shifted. He frowned. “Aria is sick, Skylar. Be reasonable. ”

Liam’s gaze was like he was looking at an unreasonable child. I struggled to breathe. What I had once loved most were his eyes. I could still recall the first time I saw Liam, sitting on our garden wall, turning his head with a cat in his arms. Those clear yet cold eyes. One look and he had captivated my heart. One look, and I spinelessly fell for him, and stayed that way for thirteen long years. Only now did I realize I loved the Liam I had glorified countless times in my mind. “You don’t come home for five days, and then you return and demand I cook for Aria. Liam, am I the unreasonable one? ”

Liam’s reply to my accusation was distant and lighthearted. “It’s just a meal. You’re being too petty. Aria is your sister. ”

How laughable. Every argument we had ever had. It always ended with that sentence. She’s your sister. That sentence was like a curse. It had overshadowed my five years of marriage. I scoffed, my gaze at Liam growing increasingly estranged. The “different” I had imagined was, in the end, just the same. Liam was no different from the Hamiltons. “Liam, remember this. Her last name is Vance. My last name is Hamilton. ”

I spoke each word clearly. “I don’t have any messed-up sisters, and I don’t need anyone to arrange one for me! ”

Liam’s eyes flashed with disbelief. “Skylar, why are you acting like a screaming shrew? ”

3. Five years. I thought five years of marriage, if it couldn't earn his love, would at least earn his respect. But I had overestimated myself. I really wanted to ask him. To ask him how he could say such hurtful things. To ask him what I had done wrong to deserve such torment. I opened my mouth, but my throat felt glued shut. I lowered my eyes, my voice hoarse. “I’ll have the divorce papers drafted. ”

Liam walked past me towards the kitchen. “I’m really tired today, I don’t want to argue with you. ”

Watching Liam in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, I turned and went back to the bedroom. Listening to the sounds from the kitchen outside. A bitter ache rose in my heart. Liam was a germaphobe; he never cooked. Only now did I realize that germaphobia could be selective. I wiped away the tears from my eyes. I didn't have time for sorrow now. Besides the divorce, there were many things to do this month. I picked up a pen and paper, contemplating the tasks I needed to complete. Once these things were done…

I wanted to see the ocean. Maui in winter must be so warm. Leaving while embracing the sunshine there wouldn't be painful. Thinking this, a rare smile touched my lips. As I closed my notebook, Liam’s voice reached me. “I won’t be back tonight. ”

Only then did I remember my medical report was still outside. I rushed out in a panic, colliding directly with Liam. Liam scrutinized my face. “What’s the rush? ”

I forced a calm demeanor, grabbing my bag. “Nothing, just getting my bag. ”

Liam pressed on: “Really nothing? ”

He felt I was acting very strange today. I glanced at him: “Aren’t you going to deliver soup to your mistress? ”

Stung by my words, Liam turned, grabbed his coat, and headed for the door. “I told you, there’s nothing going on between Aria and me. ”

After he left, I finally exhaled. Liam was a proud man. If he knew I was sick, he would definitely refuse to divorce for appearance’s sake. Liam and I lived near City General Hospital. But I hadn’t gone there for my check-up. Because Liam was a surgeon at City General, and Aria, introduced by him, had been working in pediatrics there this past year. Liam didn’t like me visiting him at City General. To avoid bothering Liam, I chose to go to Westwood Medical Center, ten miles away. But now that I thought about it. Even if I had gotten my check-up at City General. Liam probably wouldn’t have noticed. Very few people at the hospital knew about their relationship. I carefully hid the report. I couldn’t let anything become a stumbling block to the divorce. It was very late, and I curled up on the bed, exhausted. Tomorrow, I still had to go back to the Hamilton estate. The Hamilton estate wasn’t far. Only an hour’s drive from where Liam and I lived. After marriage, I rarely went home, except for the holidays. I gazed at the neatly trimmed yard in front of me and pressed the doorbell. I was here today to retrieve my grandmother’s jade pendant. 4. A few minutes later, someone came out from inside. It was my brother, Justin Hamilton. Upon seeing me, his expression was surprised and strange. “What are you doing here? ”

It wasn’t how one spoke to a sister they hadn’t seen in a long time. It was more like seeing someone annoying. I was used to it. “I need to see Mom about something. ”

Justin hesitated before opening the door. “Come in, Mom’s in the living room. ”

Walking into the yard, I immediately noticed the newly planted flowers.