Chapter 2

For years, whenever Thomas got mad, he'd shut himself in his room and give me the silent treatment. Lucas would just watch from the sidelines, sometimes even teaming up with Thomas to make fun of me.

And I'd always be the one to swallow my pride and beg for peace.

But this time, I really didn't care anymore.

Thomas refused to sign the divorce papers, but I could just let the court handle it. The result would be the same.

The next morning, I had my bags packed. Thomas walked out of his study with a frosty look on his face.

He said, "Where are you off so early? Didn't you see the news? Things have been pretty crazy out there lately. A murder happened, and the killer is still at large. If you're heading to your mom's, let me drive you.

"Otherwise, if she finds out we're fighting, she'll come storming into my school again, making a scene and saying I don't care about how your dad saved my life. It's a real headache."

My dad died saving Thomas, and after that, my mom wouldn't let go of Thomas for anything. He was her last hope.

Under all the pressure and gossip from people around us, Thomas gave in and swore he'd look after me by marrying me.

But he never loved me. Our marriage was doomed from the start, so I decided it was time to let go.

"I'll take care of my mom. She won't come after you anymore. Just let this go, Thomas. I'm leaving," I said firmly.

Thomas kept frowning, his grip on my arm tightening.

Not understanding why, I tried to break free, but just then, a woman's voice called out from the doorway. "Thomas, I was wondering about that paper you published last time."

Evelyn punched in the code and walked right in. When she saw us standing there, caught in a tense moment, she looked taken aback.

"What's going on? Are you two fighting?" she asked.

Evelyn walked in like she owned the place, totally at ease, and gave Thomas a playful slap on the shoulder. "Professor Hughes, what did I tell you? A man should spoil his wife. How can you argue with her?

"Don't you see she's already packing to go back to her mom's. Come on, do something to smooth things over."

Thomas pressed his lips together and let go of my arm. "Whatever. If she wants to leave, let her. People with no skills always have the worst tempers. Ignorance is always the root of trouble."

I kept a straight face, completely unfazed by his sarcasm.

Whenever Evelyn opened her mouth, Thomas would instantly take her side and start nitpicking everything about me.

Back then, I'd feel small, get all torn up inside, and desperately try to prove I was useful too.

I never got a fancy degree, and I couldn't bring in the big bucks like he did, so he wouldn't even let me get a job.

So I busted my ass making sure everyone was taken care of and the house ran like clockwork. Ten years straight, and not once did he have to lift a finger for anything at home.

But now, that's all in the past. I wasn't going to feel small anymore, or keep bending over backwards to prove my worth to him. I wasn't going to stay up crying at night just because he and Lucas both preferred Evelyn.

I didn't even flinch at his snide remarks anymore. We were done.

I dragged my suitcase out of the building, and to my surprise, Thomas hurried after me.

With an impatient tone, he said, "Salma, I'm giving you a week to stay with your mom and get some rest.

"I've got a field trip nearby in a few days, so I'll come pick you up then. Just don't get all worked up when you come back."

I listened to his patronizing tone and asked flatly, "Anything else?"

He was momentarily thrown, clearly not expecting me to be so unfazed. He frowned, about to say something, but my cab pulled up right then.

I ignored him and just got in the car.

In the rearview mirror, I caught Thomas still standing there, brow furrowed. As the car sped away, his figure shrank until he finally vanished from sight.

Instead of heading home, I went straight to CPD and tagged along with a veteran forensic specialist to process a crime scene out at the reservoir.

We camped out there, moving bodies during the day, gathering evidence, and then spent our nights documenting everything.

That night, I got a call from Thomas.

"I called your mom. She said you never showed up. Where are you?" he demanded.

I found it odd. Thomas never used to care where I was or what I was up to. So what's with the sudden concern?

I didn't bother answering him directly. Instead, I just said, "What do you want?"

His tone got all gentle. "It's nothing, really. Lucas says he misses you, and that fish you made yesterday was delicious."

In the background, I could hear Evelyn's voice, going on about how tasty the fish was.

No wonder he called me. He only cared because he wanted me to come home and cook for Evelyn.

I hung up and gazed quietly at the solitary crescent moon overhead. For some reason, my late father came to mind unexpectedly.

The bitterness surged in my chest, and tears brimmed in my eyes.

"Dad, I swear I'll be an amazing forensic expert, just like you were," I whispered to myself.