Chapter 2

Charlotte puffed out her cheeks, trying to look all apologetic.

"Zoe, I swear I didn't mean to embarrass you. If it'll make you feel better, I'll cut my hair too. Then we're even."

Her eyes were red as she put on her most sincere face.

I chuckled. "Sure, go ahead."

Her expression instantly froze. "Zoe, as long as you and Eddie don't fight because of me, I'll do anything... really."

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

But she still couldn't bring herself to cut her hair.

Seeing her all sad and helpless, Edward couldn't stand it.

He glared at me as if I were his sworn enemy.

He snapped, "Zoe, if you've got an issue, come at me instead!

"Charlie's basically my little sister—we grew up together. Do you really have to humiliate her?"

Suddenly, I froze, my heart twisting with pain.

Of course, Charlotte was the one he'd defend—his favorite, no matter what.

I forced a bitter smile and walked away.

Edward's angry voice rang out behind me. "It's just hair. Just go! Nobody here is putting up with your drama!"

He'd forgotten.

Before I got together with Edward, I always kept my hair short.

It was just a casual comment from him—"I want to see you walk down the aisle with long hair."

So I started growing it out early, taking extra care to keep it healthy and beautiful, all so I could marry him looking perfect.

But now, it was all ruined.

Laughter and celebration spilled through the doorway, so loud that it drowned out everything else.

I should've been falling apart. Crying. Depressed.

Just like all those times before when Edward's coldness left me trembling and suffocating.

But right now, I couldn't feel even a trace of sadness.

I wiped my face, expecting tears—but there was nothing.

Finally, I was free from the trap of love I had set for myself.

I pulled out my phone to call a ride home and spotted a message from my mentor.

He was at it again, trying to convince me to join the National Research Expedition.

Actually, I'd gotten that invitation last year.

But I turned it down.

Because if I joined, I'd be traveling constantly for at least three years, and I couldn't stand being away from Edward.

Upon learning my reason, my mentor was disappointed. "Men don't appreciate career sacrifices. They just think you're a pushover. Zoe, you'll regret this."

Back then, I was sure I'd made the right choice.

I believed in Edward's love. All I wanted was a simple, happy life with him.

Life slapped me in the face—my mentor was right.

This time, I was not making the same mistake.

When my mentor heard I'd finally agreed to join, he sent over all the info immediately.

He even called to remind me to rush the paperwork. "The expedition team leaves in two weeks. Can you pull it together?"

I smiled, "Sure. I won't hold the team back."

That was plenty of time to cancel a wedding.

I spent the whole night buried in paperwork.

I was so focused that I didn't even notice when Edward came home.

It wasn't until he stood right in front of me that I glanced up, barely acknowledging him before going back to work.

Edward's face instantly went cold. "Zoe!"

Before, whenever he came home, I'd drop everything and run to him.

But tonight, I just kept working.

He thought I was giving him attitude, and his expression turned frosty.

I kept typing, barely mumbling a reply. "Oh, you're back."

Edward froze.

He'd never gotten the cold shoulder from me before; his expression immediately turned annoyed.

I had no idea what he was so pissed about.

Was it just because I didn't call him out for coming home late and kick up a fuss like usual?

Edward said, "Zoe, can you stop being so petty? It's just hair—why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

He started in on me for no reason.

If this was the old me, I would've argued back.

But now, I just smiled, "You've got it all wrong. I'm not mad. I'm just busy with work."

My reply shut him down.

He pressed his lips together and, for the first time in forever, actually tried to explain himself. "I had to make sure Charlie got home safe. She was drunk—I couldn't just leave her alone at night. Don't get jealous of nothing."

I frowned at Edward. "I'm really not mad. No need to explain."

He froze, clearly surprised. "Wait, you're really not mad?"

I chuckled. "Come on, you two grew up together. Of course you'd help each other out."

For a moment, a look of unfamiliar confusion flickered across Edward's face.

I didn't care. I walked right past him.

Just as I reached the study door, Edward's angry voice rang out behind me. "Zoe, what are you doing?

"I tried to explain everything nicely, and you're still giving me attitude?"

I shot him a confused look. "What did I do now?"

I just needed to grab a file from the study.

But Edward looked ready to explode.

He snapped, "Zoe, I really thought you'd changed, but I was fooling myself!

"You stay home and reflect on your behavior. Don't even think about showing up at the wedding until you see your mistake!"

There wasn't going to be any wedding.

I'd lost count of how many times Edward and I went through wedding planning.

But every time, it fell apart.

The first time, right before the wedding, Charlotte burned her hand. Edward ditched everything to play nurse and called it off.

The second time, Charlotte gave me a cake loaded with mango, knowing I was allergic. I passed out, and the venue turned into chaos.

The third time, Charlotte had another "oops, my hand slipped" moment and shredded my wedding dress. The ceremony got postponed. Again.

By the end, I was completely numb.

So when Edward brought up the wedding again, I didn't bother booking a venue or telling anyone.

Well, I'd made the right call.

Edward sneered but didn't leave.

A few minutes later, he finally slammed the door and stormed out.

I knew what he was mad about.

For once, he tried to give me an easy out, and I didn't take it.

I just smiled calmly.

After finishing the documents, I was about to send them to my mentor when I accidentally opened Instagram.

Charlotte had just posted something new.

In the video, she was straddling Edward's lap, the two of them sharing a drink way too intimately for just friends.

Her lips almost brushed against Edward's.

Her caption: [Drink my wine, and you're mine.]

Edward had already liked it.

All their mutual friends were flooding the comments with teasing and congratulations.

I felt like a total outsider—strangely calm, just watching it.

I left a sincere comment: [Make sure to save me a seat at your wedding banquet.]