Chapter 2
Frederick added: [Sorry, I've been swamped today. Rain check, I'll make it up to you guys next time.]
Caroline couldn't help but let out a soft laugh as she read the message.
'Rain check again, huh? Frederick probably doesn't even remember how many rain checks he's promised us by now,' she thought.
But this time, she was calling it even.
Guess it was finally time to close the chapter on this ten-year marriage.
Frederick opened the passenger door, held his hand over Kirsten's head to keep her from bumping it, and took her hand as she got in. They exchanged a smile, looking every bit like a loving couple.
When they arrived at a villa in the suburbs, Kirsten pulled a bottle of Perrier from the fridge and handed it to him.
"Nothing's changed in here," she said.
"I gave you this villa as a birthday present, and it's always been waiting for you to come back," Frederick replied.
"This gift is way too expensive. Caroline will be upset if she finds out," Kirsten said.
Frederick replied without hesitation, "She won't. Caroline doesn't care about stuff like that."
He wasn't just saying it to brush her off. Deep down, he truly believed Caroline didn't care about things like this.
She was gentle and always knew how to look out for her friends' feelings. Even when she was getting dragged online, she could still face everyone with a smile.
Besides, he was the one who made all the money in the family.
Caroline was just enjoying the fruits of his labor. She didn't have the right to butt into his decisions.
Thinking about it, he pulled out his phone and stared at the bare lock screen, unable to stop himself from frowning.
He'd promised Caroline they'd celebrate Chloe's birthday together today, but with Kirsten just back in town, he bailed and just shot Caroline a text.
Normally, she'd reply instantly. But today, she didn't.
Just thinking about it, he couldn't help feeling a bit irritated.
To Frederick, it was only natural that Caroline should devote at least half her time and energy to him.
Kirsten caught the irritation on his face and said apologetically, "I heard it's Chloe's birthday today.
"Maybe you should go back and spend time with Caroline and Chloe. I'll be fine here on my own."
Frederick frowned. "I don't feel comfortable leaving you here alone.
"Don't worry, Caroline will understand."
Meanwhile, when Caroline opened Instagram, the first thing she noticed was Kirsten's profile picture.
Frederick was standing at the stove in an apron, moving with effortless skill as he cooked.
Kirsten had captioned the post: [Staying in the house Mr. James gave me, eating his homemade food. Feeling so blessed.]
Caroline liked the post, then turned to Chloe. "Sweetie, how about we go stay somewhere else for a while?"
Chloe tilted her head up, her big eyes full of confusion. "Mommy, what about Daddy?"
Caroline paused for a moment, then quickly came up with an excuse. "Daddy's been really busy lately, so how about you hang out with me for a bit, okay?"
Chloe nodded, still not quite understanding. Caroline gave her a guilty kiss on the head and picked up her suitcase.
She found a real estate agent and picked out the apartment she liked best. But when it was time to pay, she glanced at her bank balance, just 1,000 dollars left, and bit her lip.
"Sorry, do you have anything cheaper?" she asked.
As she spoke, her fingers kept twisting the hem of her shirt, looking just like a lost little kid.
All these years, Frederick was the only one bringing in the money for the family.
On the surface, Caroline was the envy of everyone, living the life of a rich housewife.
Every expense, no matter how small, needed Frederick's say-so before he'd punch in the password and send the payment.
She didn't know the passwords to any of the family's bank cards or savings accounts.
Even that 1,000 dollars was just the grocery money Frederick gave her.
Seeing the look of contempt in the agent's eyes, Caroline wished the ground would just swallow her up.
In the end, she settled for a tiny studio apartment and paid the first month's rent.
Looking at her new apartment, even though it wasn't even half as big as her old living room, she finally felt like she could breathe again.
She just threw together the bedding and said softly, "Chloe, come on, time for bed."
But Chloe pouted, "Mommy, this place is so small."
"I don't like this place. I want to go home," she said.
Seeing the displeasure on Chloe's face, Caroline pushed down her frustration and spoke softly.
Caroline said, "Sweetie, just hang in there for a few days, okay? I will take you to our new place soon."
Caroline patiently coaxed Chloe until she finally drifted off to sleep. Just then, her phone buzzed with a message.
Kirsten said: [Hey Caroline, I'm really sorry about today. Hope you're not mad at me.]
[I tried to get Frederick to go back and be with you, but he was worried about me. Sorry about that.]
[Seriously, Frederick and I are just friends, so please don't be upset with him.]
Caroline listened to Kirsten pouring her heart out, but just scoffed and locked her screen.
Kirsten just kept going, bombarding her with message after message, refusing to let it drop.
It felt like ages before her phone finally went quiet. Only then did Caroline bother to check what she'd sent.