Chapter 3

On our wedding anniversary, I booked a table at Harry's favorite restaurant.

It wasn't about celebrating. It was about saying goodbye.

This was our tenth year together, and it would be our last.

I slipped into a long black dress, did my makeup to perfection, and took a seat by the window, waiting for him.

I waited from seven until nine. Harry never showed up.

My phone buzzed with a message from him. [It's Julia's birthday. She's afraid of the dark, so I'm staying with her tonight. Enjoy your meal alone.]

Then, a photo came through. In the picture, Julia was wearing a birthday crown, hands clasped as she made a wish.

Harry sat beside her, gazing at her with pure affection in his eyes.

And that cake? I'd ordered it a month ago, originally meant for our wedding anniversary.

The "Happy 10th Anniversary" had been wiped away, swapped for candles that spelled out "Happy Birthday."

Harry couldn't even bother to buy a new cake. He just took my anniversary cake and passed it off as his own gift to her.

I stared at the photo, so calm that I even found myself critiquing Julia's makeup. It was way too light, making her look kind of washed out.

The waiter approached cautiously. "Mrs. Wright, would you like me to bring out your food now?"

"Please do," I said, putting my phone away. "I can eat alone."

The steak was cooked just right, and the red wine was full-bodied.

I cut off a small piece, popped it into my mouth, and chewed mechanically.

It had no taste at all. My sense of taste was fading too.

Harry called me while I was halfway through dinner.

The background was noisy. He sounded like he was at some karaoke place.

"Rose, where are you?" Harry sounded tipsy, his words slightly slurred and a little annoyed. "Why aren't you answering my messages?"

"I'm having dinner," I replied, swallowing the steak that tasted like wax.

"Alone?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said.

"So unfazed, aren't you?" Harry sneered. "Julia wants some truffle chocolate from that place. Go buy her a box and drop it off at the 'Nightfall' private room."

He was making his own wife play delivery girl, just so his precious childhood sweetheart could rub it in my face on her birthday.

Pulling this stunt was becoming second nature to Harry.

"Harry," I said, putting down my utensils and wiping the corner of my mouth, keeping my tone gentle. "I'm eating right now. I don't have time for this."

"Busy? Since when are you ever busy? Back then, you wouldn't take no for an answer. You'd always show up whether I wanted you to or not," he yelled. "You have thirty minutes to deliver it, or…"

"Or you'll file for divorce?" I cut him off.

Harry went silent for a moment, his breath catching.

"Take care. No need to hurry back," I said calmly.

After that, I hung up and blocked his number without a second thought.

As I stepped out of the restaurant, the night air was chilly.

I looked up at the dark sky, and suddenly, this city felt so big that there wasn't a single place left for me.

When I got back home, I pulled the signed divorce papers out of the drawer and placed them on the nightstand.

Sitting right next to them was my wedding ring, which had been off my finger for ages.

Harry came back the next afternoon. He brought Julia with him.

As soon as they walked in, Julia shrank behind Harry, looking like a frightened bunny.

"Rose, Julia's water pipe burst at her place. She'll be staying here for a few days," Harry announced, his arm casually around Julia's waist, sounding completely unapologetic.

Harry stared at my face, as if expecting me to explode.

After all, the master bedroom was off-limits to anyone but me. It was my sacred space, the last shred of dignity I had left.

Once, his cousin came to stay and tried to take over the master bedroom. I literally chased her out with a broom in hand.

Harry called me a shrew and gave me the silent treatment for a whole month after that.

Now, he was bringing Julia home, obviously trying to humiliate me, or maybe just testing my limits to see how much I'd take.

Julia murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, "Rose, if you don't mind, I can stay in the guest room. I'm not picky, really."

"Julia's afraid of the dark, and the guest room doesn't get much light," Harry cut her off, giving me a defiant stare. "Tonight, you take the guest room. Julia gets the master bedroom."

The room went silent for a few seconds.

I looked at the two of them and cracked a smile. But there was no warmth in my eyes.

"Alright." I nodded, heading for the master bedroom. "Let me pack up."

Harry was stunned. He let go of Julia and strode after me, grabbing my arm. "Rose, what are you playing at now?

"Didn't you always say this room was precious? That it was our wedding room, and no one else was allowed in?"

"That was before," I said, brushing his hand off and walking into the bedroom. I gestured at the empty space. "Now, it's just a place to sleep."

Harry looked where I pointed, and his face changed instantly.

The room was eerily empty.