Chapter 3

I'd barely closed my eyes when the bedroom door opened behind me.

"Anna?" Edward called out softly.

He softly called my name a few times.

I was feeling sleepy and didn't want to answer.

"Anna, I know you're not asleep," Edward called out. His voice carried a hint of annoyance.

I reluctantly opened my eyes.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I sent her home," Edward said.

"So, you didn't let her stay over?" I asked.

His brows furrowed.

"Anna, we've been childhood friends. I hope you're not getting jealous over nothing," he said.

"Jealous? What are you talking about?" I asked, laughing.

"I just think it's not safe for a girl to drive home alone this late," I added.

Edward was taken aback.

I just closed my eyes and went back to sleep.

Then, I felt his warm body press against my back, his breath brushing against my ear.

"Don't you have anything else to say?" he asked.

Keeping my eyes closed, I replied, "Like what?"

"Aren't you usually the one with a lot to say in situations like this?" he said.

I opened my eyes.

Every time I saw him with another woman, I'd totally lose it, start a fight, and make him reassure me.

"Why should I be jealous of your childhood friend?" I said.

Edward tensed up.

For the first time in all our arguments, he was the one left speechless.

Half-asleep, I felt a hand land on my waist.

I jolted awake and quickly blocked his hand.

"I don't want to," I muttered.

He wrapped his arms around me from behind.

"It's fine. Didn't your last checkup say you were good to go?" he said.

I gripped his hand tightly.

"Aren't you even a little curious why I went to the hospital today?" I asked.

My expense report clearly said it was for surgery, but the whole time, he never even bothered to ask how I was doing.

He chuckled.

"I know, you're upset I didn't go with you for your prenatal checkup. How about your husband makes it up to you now, honey?" Edward said.

"I don't want to," I said.

I wrapped myself tighter in the blanket. "I told you, I'm tired."

In my relationship with Edward, I was always the one who forgave everything and accepted all his flaws.

I was always the one chasing after him, asking for his attention. Refusing him? That was something I'd never done.

I could feel Edward's body stiffen behind me.

"Anna, you're usually the one who can't wait for me to touch you," he said.

"Really? Then don't bother anymore," I said coldly.

He didn't say another word.

A moment later, the bedroom door slammed shut with a bang, snapping me awake right as I was about to fall asleep.

I turned around. He was already gone.

After slamming the bedroom door, he left the house. Soon, I heard his car engine roar to life.

I didn't chase after him, and I didn't text him an apology like I always used to whenever I pissed him off.

For once, I could finally relax in bed, free from worry, and drift off to sleep without a care in the world.

Edward didn't come home all day the next day.

I didn't bother keeping tabs on him like I used to. Instead, I met up with Megan to figure out the next steps.

When Megan heard I was getting divorced, she was so moved she nearly cried.

"I knew you'd finally snap out of it. You were never meant to be trapped in the kitchen, buried in chores. You even had to file a report just to spend a hundred bucks," she said.

I couldn't help but smile, and right then, Edward called me.

"It's already dark out. Where are you?" Edward asked, his voice a little impatient.

I blinked in surprise. "Wait, you're home?"

Usually, after a fight, he'd leave me hanging at home for at least a week, waiting until I'd cooled off before he bothered to show up again.

I still didn't have any income, so Megan got me a ride.

Just as I reached the door, a burst of dazzling fireworks suddenly lit up the night sky.

I looked up. It was just like last night.

While I was mesmerized by the fireworks, a Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of me, and Edward stepped out.

He smiled at me, his eyes meeting mine.

"Do you like it?" he asked.

"Is this for me?" I asked.

"What, you thought I'd forgotten about you?" he said.

He stood beside me, gazing up at the night sky with me.

"I had a bit too much to drink last night. I sent the driver home early for Christmas Eve, so Claire ended up driving me back. I hope you don't mind," he said.

"It's beautiful," I murmured.

I lost myself in the fireworks.

Edward called my name, "Anna."

I turned to him, "Hmm?"

His brows furrowed with a trace of annoyance, but he just let out a sigh.

"I know you're mad at me for setting up that fireworks show for her, but she just got back from overseas, and considering what you said before," he said.

"Why would I hold it against you?" I said with a soft laugh.

"I get to see the fireworks you set up for her, too. Isn't that nice?" I added.

"Anna." Edward's voice trembled.

He was taken aback.

"Anyway, thanks. This show is even prettier than last night's," I said.

He watched my face carefully.

Edward hesitated, "You're really not mad?"

I shrugged. "Why would I be? You two grew up together, and she just got back from overseas. Of course you'd want to treat her well."

Edward was left speechless, just standing there.

For a split second, I actually saw something like guilt flicker in his usually indifferent eyes.

He moved a little closer, standing shoulder to shoulder with me, and slipped his arm around my shoulders.

"Let's go on a trip together, okay? You've been stuck at home for way too long," he said.

I remembered I still had to study for the language testing and shook my head.

"Home's fine for me," I replied.

His arm froze around me.

"But I already made all the arrangements," he said.

"Then just take someone else," I shot back.

Edward frowned, "Anna,

"I booked a couple's trip, custom-made just for us," he said.

I looked up, and the fireworks sparkled in his eyes.

If he'd told me just a few days ago that he'd planned something special, a trip just for the two of us, I would've been so happy I'd have jumped right into his arms.

I loved being Mrs. Pierce so much, I wanted the whole world to know we were together.

But now, I just smiled softly at him.

"Thanks for going to all this trouble.

"But I really can't go," I said.

He just stared at me, like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

I softly brushed his hand off.

"It's freezing out here. Let's head back inside," I said.

I turned around and opened the door.

But when I turned back, Edward didn't follow me.

Instead, he climbed into his car and slammed the door, making the whole thing shake.

Then he started the engine and roared off down the street.

He always acted like this.

Whenever we fought, he'd just leave me behind.

He'd block me on every app, just waiting for me to burn out emotionally. Only then would he stroll back in, pretending nothing ever happened, knowing I'd be too drained to start another fight.

But this time, I didn't even send him a single text.

I opened the door and went inside.