Chapter 2

I walked out of the villa without looking back.

The mountain wind blew against me, carrying the chill of late autumn, instantly piercing my thin coat.

I pulled open the car door and got in, gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white.

My stomach churned.

I pushed the car door open and squatted by the roadside, dry heaving.

Nothing came up but bitter stomach acid burning my throat.

Five years of marriage, over eighteen hundred days and nights, had turned into a complete joke tonight.

I'd always thought Julian was an emotionless person.

He didn't laugh loudly, didn't get angry, and even in bed, he maintained a precise rhythm and restraint.

I tolerated his aloofness, grew accustomed to his rules, and even changed my style of dress and daily habits to cater to his preferences.

I believed this was our way of being together.

It wasn't until tonight that I saw a vibrant side of him.

He would lie for a woman, play the piano for her, and glare at me because of a single tear from her.

The difference between love and indifference was so stark.

I didn't return to the house filled with Julian's presence. Instead, I drove to my small, older apartment, a bit run-down, that I'd bought in college.

It wasn't large, but every piece of furniture was hand-picked by me, filling it with a cozy and lived-in vibe.

As I opened the door, the scent of dust greeted me.

I didn't even turn on the lights, collapsing onto the sofa fully clothed, my eyes open until dawn.

The next morning, the sound of the lock turning echoed through the apartment.

Julian walked in.

He was wearing the same custom-tailored suit from yesterday, the creases still in the same place; clearly, he hadn't slept at home.

He carried a cake from my favorite bakery in the South End, his expression normal as he walked to the dining table and set it down.

"Get up and eat something."

His tone was so calm, as if nothing had happened last night.

I sat up, watching him coldly.

"How did you get in?"

"The password hasn't changed, so of course, I could get in." Julian unbuttoned his suit jacket, sat on the single armchair, and frowned slightly. "I can explain what happened last night."

"No need," I interrupted him. "I don't want to hear it."

Julian's face hardened a few shades.

"Audrey Hayes, can't you stop being so stubborn? Serena went through something overseas years ago; she has severe psychological trauma. She has no family or friends in this city. As a friend, it's perfectly reasonable for me to look after her."

"Friend?" I chewed on the word, finding it utterly ridiculous. "What kind of friend needs you to lie to your wife in the middle of the night to spend time with them? What kind of friend gets to drink from your mug? Julian, do you take me for a fool?"

"I already said, it was an accident!" His voice rose, tinged with irritation. "Do you have to cling to this trivial matter?"

Trivial matter.

In his eyes, deception and betrayal were just "trivial matters."

I suddenly felt exhausted, lacking the energy even to argue.

"Say whatever you want," I stood up, walked to the window, and pulled back the curtains, letting the glaring sunlight stream in. "Julian, let's get a divorce."

The room fell into an instant, heavy silence.

Julian stared at me, his gaze gradually turning sharp and icy.

"What did you say?"

"I said, divorce." I turned to face him, calmly meeting his eyes. "Let's end things amicably before it gets too ugly."

Julian abruptly stood up, his tall frame looming over me with an oppressive presence.

"Audrey Hayes, don't throw around the word 'divorce.' It's not funny."

"I'm not joking." I looked at his tense jawline. "I'll grant you your freedom. You can openly care for your severely depressed patient without needing to make excuses to lie to me anymore."

"Impossible!" Julian gritted his teeth.

He grabbed my shoulders, his grip so tight it felt like he might crush my bones.

"You want to divorce me over this misunderstanding? Audrey Hayes, what kind of tantrum are you throwing?"

I forcefully broke free from his grasp, stepping back two paces to create distance.

"Misunderstanding? Julian, can you look me in the eye and say you only have platonic feelings for Serena Bell?"

His thin lips were pressed tight; he said nothing.

Silence was the best answer.

I managed a sarcastic laugh.

"See? You can't even be bothered to lie to me anymore. If your heart belongs to someone else, why keep me tied to your side? Let me go, and let yourself go."

"I said, divorce is not an option." Julian took a deep breath, forcing down his anger. "Stay here for a while to cool down. I'll come pick you up when you've thought things through."

With that, he turned and strode out, his retreating figure exuding an undeniable forcefulness.

The loud bang of the door closing plunged the room back into silence.

I looked at the cake on the table and unhesitatingly threw it into the trash.

Cool down?

I was perfectly calm.

Calmer than any moment in the past five years.

Chapter