Chapter 5

Dylan gave me a hopeful look, trying to win me over.

He said, "There are still a few months until the end of the year. Who knows what could happen by then?"

"We'll deal with it when the time comes," I said.

I finished my soup and headed upstairs by myself.

A faint sense of unease crept over Dylan as he watched me walk away.

Dylan loved my gentle nature and kindness, but he was addicted to the passion and thrill Ellis brought into his life.

Now that I was growing colder and more distant, Dylan felt things slipping out of his hands.'

His "devoted husband" image was his secret weapon for success, and it was the one thing the chairman cared about most.

Dylan looked at Jaxton and said, "Jaxton, stay here and keep your mom company. Try to cheer her up, okay?"

Jaxton puffed out his cheeks in protest. "You and Ellis get to have fun, but Mom's just gonna pile on the homework. No way, I'm not doing that."

Dylan said, "Be good, Jaxton. She's your mom, and she's just looking out for you."

Jaxton's eyes suddenly lit up.

He said, "Actually, Mom's been acting different lately. She doesn't even bother checking my homework anymore.

"She even let me play video games yesterday.

"Fine, I'll stick around and keep her company. Just this once, though."

Dylan's heart skipped a beat. 'What's with the change lately?' he thought.

Ellis picked up some food for him, but he didn't even react.

He'd even forgotten that today was our wedding anniversary.

Every year, we'd spend the night at the place where we first fell in love.

He used to plan everything in advance, always posting about it on social media to keep up his devoted husband persona.

Now that Ellis was in his life, I was no longer needed.

After being let down so many times, I stopped hoping for anything from him.

I dialed my lawyer's number. "Hi, I was married in Grelland. Is there any way to get a divorce?"

Dylan shot me a worried look.

He asked, "Divorce? What do you mean?"

I hung up, keeping my cool.

"I was just asking for a friend. Her husband's been cheating on her." I said.

Dylan let out a sigh of relief and reached for my hand.

He said, "You almost gave me a heart attack. I thought you were talking about us getting divorced. You can't just leave me.

"We'll grow old together, watch Jaxton get married and have kids, and spend the rest of our lives happy and in love."

I met his gaze, cool and distant. Those eyes used to be filled with love for me, but now all I could see was his ambition.

He said, "I know you've been feeling down lately. I've been so caught up that I haven't really been there for you.

"Once this party's over, I'll take you out for a proper getaway."

Dylan lifted my hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to it.

"Dad!" Jaxton called out, bursting into the room.

"Ellis made the most amazing dessert! There's only one bowl left. Come try it before it's gone!" he said.

Jaxton grabbed Dylan's hand and dragged him off in a hurry.

I wiped my hands clean with a disinfectant wipe, making sure not to miss a spot.

After checking out Ellis's party photos, I gave her post a silent like, not saying a word.

It was past 1 a.m. when Dylan and Ellis finally got home.

Brooke was there, holding a big cake.

"Mr. Clark, you always have me bake a cake for your anniversary. You didn't mention it this year, but I went ahead and made one anyway," Brooke said.

Dylan looked totally confused.

Brooke stared at him in surprise.

"Today was your wedding anniversary with Mrs. Clark. Oh, actually, it's already past midnight," Brooke said.

Suddenly, it dawned on Dylan. He dropped everything and dashed upstairs, leaving Ellis behind.

I was already asleep.

When I came downstairs the next morning, the living room was filled with flowers. There were so many, they covered every inch of the place.

Dylan was standing there, holding a cake, gazing at me with a tender look in his eyes.

"Happy anniversary! Sorry, I forgot yesterday, I got so busy with the party," he said.

I walked over slowly and glanced at the leftover cake from last night.

I said, "Just toss it. It's spoiled."

Without another word, I turned and walked away.

Dylan tossed the cake aside and wrapped his arms around me from behind.

He said, "I'm sorry, Amina. It's all my fault. Go ahead, hit me, yell at me, whatever you want.

"You've been so distant lately, and it scares me. Are you really thinking about leaving me?"

I slowly pushed him away.

"I'm hungry. Let's just have breakfast," I said, my tone distant.

I ignored the sea of flowers covering the living room, but I couldn't help noticing Ellis standing off to the side, her eyes practically shooting daggers.

Dylan and Jaxton were tiptoeing around me as we ate breakfast, both clearly uneasy. When I was done, I turned and went back to the study.

As I turned the corner, I heard Ellis crying.

"Everyone's busy comforting her, and no one's paying attention to me," Ellis sobbed.

"Ellis, next week for Valentine's Day, I'm going to put on the biggest, most beautiful fireworks show just for you," Dylan said.

"Ellis, don't be sad. I used my own allowance to buy you a necklace. Mom doesn't even have one," Jaxton said.

Ellis wiped away her tears and broke into a smile.

Dylan pulled Ellis close.

"Let's head to the room," he said softly.

Jaxton shot his hand up, volunteering.