Chapter 1
On my birthday, my husband asked what I wanted. I said, "I want a divorce."
He frowned. "Why are you being petulant again?"
I replied calmly, "You hate taking pictures. We've been together six years, and we don't have a single wedding photo.
"But you're happy to pose for photos with others.
"Once, I got followed and asked you to pick me up. You said I was overreacting.
"But you'd drive your female coworker home, saying it's not safe for her to go home alone at night.
"When I was sick, you stayed overseas with your ex.
"Holden Cortez, let's get divorced."
We'd fought so many times over the years. He always figured I'd cool off and come around, like I always had.
That changed when I put the divorce papers in front of him.
*****
Holden and I had been married for six years, which was also when he went from having nothing to becoming a rising star in his career.
When we first got married, we lived in a small apartment in a budget-friendly part of the city. He would stay up late working on proposals, and I'd make him a plate of pasta to keep him company. Even adding an egg felt like a treat back then.
Now, his office boasted large windows that showcased the city lights, and the contracts he signed had so many zeros that they could be overwhelming. Whenever people talked about me, they would always say, "She has a keen eye."
It was hard not to envy someone who snagged such a catch.
Holden really fit the mold of a "good husband."
All these years, his schedule was always an open book to me. He'd tell me what city he was in, who he was meeting, and when he would be back. Even now, with his wealth increasing and new temptations around him, I never heard a single rumor about him.
On the day Holden's company went public, someone caught a moment of him holding the train of my dress and smiling at me during the bell-ringing ceremony.
That photo went viral, and everyone was shipping us as a couple.
What were people saying?
[Even when they had nothing, they never blamed each other. It's rare to see a couple who started so young together.]
[There's something special about couples who've been together since they were kids.]
[Wow, look at how the CEO's eyes light up when he looks at his wife!]
People online were so passionate about our love story that even I started to buy into it.
*****
But then, just the other day, I was outside when this sharp pain hit me in the belly, and I called Holden.
What did Holden say again?
He said, "Eloise, if you're sick, go to the hospital. I'm not a doctor."
In the end, some random stranger saw how pale I looked and took me to the ER.
After a bunch of tests, the doctor said I had acute cholecystitis from gallstones.
Seeing me alone, the doctor sighed. "You need to call your family. You'll be hospitalized for a few days.
"Talk to your family about the surgery as soon as possible."
I tried calling Holden through the pain, but all I got was that robotic voice, saying, "Sorry, the subscriber you dialed is powered off."
I sat there on the hospital bed, watching the IV line back up with blood in a daze.
Was this really what I wanted my marriage to be?
A WhatsApp notification broke my train of thought. I checked my phone. It was a message from one of the women on Holden's executive team.
There was a photo attached. Holden was staring blankly at the camera while the woman next to him made a silly face, sticking out her tongue.
The message read: [Hey, Eloise, your husband's picking on me. Come and rescue me!]
I let out a bitter laugh. He had no time to answer my calls, but he got plenty of time to take pictures with another woman.
I didn't respond to her. Instead, I scrolled through social media, and a new post showed up right away.
It was from that same female exec.
Her caption read: [We finally convinced our boss to take a brand new group photo with the exec team!]
The post was a grid of nine shots. Besides the official group shot, there were a few of Holden snapping pics with the female exec.
So he didn't hate taking photos. He just hated taking them with me.
My eyes stung with tears as I thought of the past. All those excuses I'd made for him felt like a slap in the face.
I ended up going through surgery alone.
I'd always thought I wasn't that strong.
But when it came down to it, I realized crying wouldn't do me any good.
While I was still in the hospital by myself, I got a message from someone I didn't know. She said she was Holden's ex.
It read: [Just let him go. You're just the burden your dad stuck him with. If he really loved you, why would he fly straight to Honbinlon to see me the second he heard I was there?]
It was my first day post-op, and every little movement made my incision burn. Still, I gritted my teeth and just typed back: [Okay.]
*****
Holden didn't seem to care when I mentioned divorce.
He shot me a cold look and said, "I've got work at the office. Enough with the drama."
My heart ached, but I put on a brave face and said coldly, "I'll get the divorce papers to you in a few days."
Holden looked like he had more to say, but I interrupted him.
"I've got a meeting tomorrow. I don't want to argue tonight. Just go to bed," I said.
Holden paused for a moment and then unexpectedly took my hand. "Are you serious?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose, collected himself, and said calmly, "If you really mean it, we need to talk about this properly."
He was always so calm, as if nothing could shake him.
Even when I brought up divorce, he barely reacted, processing it quickly and showing no emotion.
*****
The next day, Holden came home early. He prepared a whole meal and even dressed it up nicely out of the blue.
I barely looked at the dinner table and was about to head to my study when he blocked my path. "Let's eat together," he said.
"I haven't been able to handle spicy food lately, so I'll just order takeout," I replied.
He seemed a bit irritated for a second. "I spent a long time cooking."
I stared at him for a moment and then gave a small smile. "I really can't eat it. You go ahead. Let's discuss the divorce tomorrow if you're free."
Holden's eyes searched mine for any sign of doubt. Finally, he let out a cold laugh. "Fine."