Chapter 2
There was a sound outside the room.
I quickly wiped away my tears and pretended nothing had happened.
Bruce opened the door and saw me playing a game.
He fondly ruffled my hair.
He smiled and asked, "Not going to bed yet?"
I nodded.
He didn't suspect a thing, just picked up his phone and headed out.
Honestly, he'd always been so laid-back.
After seven years together and a year of marriage, I never bothered to check his phone.
He'd even go out of his way to show me his phone.
I'd just smile and tell him I trusted him.
Thinking about it now, maybe he just wanted to see how I'd react.
So he could figure out how to handle things.
But he never let his guard down.
He just never thought I'd find out like this.
"Bruce, I want to go to the office with you," I blurted out.
He froze for a second, then turned around, looking at me with a kind of helpless smile.
"Darling, I have no idea how long I'll be stuck at work, and I can't bear to put you through all that. Just get some rest," he said.
I tried to say something, but he interrupted me.
"Be good. When I get back, I'll bring you your favorite roses and mango cheesecake," he said.
I just stood there, stiff as a board, watching him walk away.
He was in such a rush that he didn't notice my puffy eyes at all.
He didn't even realize he'd messed up.
He didn't even remember my favorite flowers. It was not roses but sunflowers.
And my favorite cake wasn't mango cheesecake, but strawberry cake.
Seriously? After all these years, and he still couldn't remember what I actually liked?
Sure enough, Bruce didn't come home that night.
I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Bruce and Gracie had been entangled for six years, while he and I had only had eight years together.
Gracie and I have known each other for fifteen years.
I'd been an orphan since I was a kid.
When I was thirteen, the school held a parent-teacher conference, and my seat was the only empty one in the class.
One of my classmates pointed at me and laughed.
"Danielle's parents didn't show up again. Does she even have parents?" he sneered.
I'd heard that kind of thing so many times that I knew it wasn't even worth arguing back anymore.
That was when Gracie showed up.
She stepped protectively in front of me, furious on my behalf.
"Keep running your mouth like that, and you'll be sorry for it," she snapped.
After that, we became friends.
We were inseparable all the way through college.
We shared so many unforgettable moments.
I first met Bruce during my sophomore year of college.
Back then, he was totally aloof and standoffish, nothing like the gentle guy he was now.
Gracie leaned in and whispered to me, "Don't let his looks or money fool you. He's got a really strange vibe, and nobody can stand him for long."
"Men, honestly, none of them are any good. And look at him, acting all aloof for no reason," she added.
Honestly, I was scared of Bruce at first.
Then one day, someone in the student council screwed up big time and tried to throw me under the bus.
But Bruce stepped in and had my back.
Aside from being grateful, I started to feel something more for him.
I told Gracie about my feelings. She looked a little helpless, but still gave me a gentle nudge, telling me to follow my heart and chase after love.
Not long after, Bruce and I finally became a couple.
I got everyone together for dinner so they could finally meet each other.
Gracie acted all tough and gave Bruce her best warning.
"Let me tell you, Danielle's got me watching her back. If you ever hurt her, you're dead meat," she said.
Bruce looked at me, his eyes gentle but unwavering.
"Don't worry. I'd never hurt her. I'll love her for the rest of my life," he promised.
They probably didn't even remember the promises they made back then.
The next day, I had the divorce agreement drawn up by a lawyer.
On my way home, Bruce called.
When I picked up, he sounded like he'd just let out a sigh of relief.
"Danielle, you're not home. Where did you go?" he asked.
I looked down at the divorce papers in my hand and stayed quiet for a few seconds.
"Bruce, we..." I began, my voice trembling.
Suddenly, the sound of glass shattering filled the air.
I heard Gracie gasp in shock.
Bruce quickly interrupted me.
"Danielle, something just came up. I need to hang up now. Let's talk later, okay?" he said, his voice rushed.
Before I could say another word, he hung up.
I already knew what his "urgent business" really was.
When I got home, I just stood there, totally stunned by what I saw.
The TV was blasting, and there was some mango cheesecake someone had left behind on the table.
Gracie spotted me, munching on some fruit, and greeted me with a smile.
"Danielle, you're back," she said.
Meanwhile, Bruce was bustling around in the kitchen, getting everything ready.
My heart felt unbearably heavy, like something was pressing down on me.
Recently, I just wanted to have a nice meal with him, just the two of us.
He kept saying he was too busy, but suddenly, he had time to spare.
Gracie grabbed my hand and pulled me over.
"I was bored at home by myself, and the baby nurse's out today, so I thought I'd bring the kid over for some company," she said.
"Your husband sure knows how to treat his guests. He even promised to cook tonight," she added.
Upon hearing that, Bruce poked his head out of the kitchen.
He teased, "Better enjoy it while you can. Chef Bruce doesn't come out often."