Chapter 3

It was barely morning, and I was just about to head out with my luggage when Andrew suddenly showed up.

He walked in, holding a massive bouquet of roses. When his eyes landed on me, he flashed a smile.

"This is for you," he said, offering the flowers.

"Did you forget? I'm allergic to pollen. Roses set me off too."

I covered my nose, coughing as I quickly backed away.

Andrew's smile faltered. He hurriedly tossed the roses by the door, looking uncomfortable.

"I was drunk and forgot. Sorry about that. I'll get you something else tomorrow," he mumbled.

He came over, going in for a hug.

I casually stepped back, catching the scent of a woman's perfume on him, which was definitely not mine.

I lowered my eyes, letting out a sarcastic little smile.

Back when he used to come home from Sophia's place, he'd always shower first, making sure to scrub away every trace of her.

But now, he didn't even try to hide it.

"I was supposed to come back last night, but I was too drunk to move. This morning was just as bad, and I could barely get myself up. As soon as I started feeling even a little better, I came straight back," he said.

He glanced at my calm face and, for the first time ever, actually tried to explain himself.

"I understand," I replied quietly.

I nodded slightly.

Seeing how calm I was, he shifted awkwardly and looked away.

He spotted the luggage stacked in the corner and asked in surprise, "What's with the boxes?"

"I'm thinking of remodeling the place," I replied.

I lied without missing a beat.

Back in the day, he would've been all curious, asking what kind of style I wanted for the place.

Now, he just nodded, barely even caring.

"Oh, do whatever you like," he said, not even interested.

I was just about to mention the divorce when his phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted instantly.

"Sophia needs me. Something happened," Andrew said.

He headed for the door, leaving without another word.

I watched his back as he left, a bitter laugh escaping my lips.

After all these years together, all I wanted was a dignified goodbye, but he wouldn't even give me that.

I stood there in a daze for a moment and then dragged myself over to the corner to grab the boxes.

As I bent down, the ring dangling from my necklace swung back and forth in the air.

Suddenly, it slipped off and clattered to the floor with a crisp little ring.

I stared at the ring lying there. Andrew got me this ring when he'd just graduated.

He scraped together a month's pay for it and had our initials carved inside.

I remembered the look in his eyes when he put that ring on my finger, swearing he'd love me forever.

But after he became an influencer, the ring that once meant everything to us couldn't be seen in public anymore.

Instead of wearing it on my finger, I kept it on a chain around my neck for years.

After all that time, the constant friction left it cracked and worn.

Just like that ring, my relationship with Andrew was finally broken.

The room was dead silent, and for a moment, it felt like time had stopped.

I bent down to pick up the cracked, worn ring. It was small enough to disappear in my palm, yet lifting it felt harder than it should have.

I closed my fingers around it for a moment before letting it fall into the trash with a soft ding. The moment it landed, I felt lighter.

Every memory, every bit of love I ever had for Andrew went straight into the trash with that ring.

*****

My flight was set for tomorrow. I'd just flopped onto the bed when my best friend called.

"What the hell is Andrew thinking? He actually had a wedding with someone else? And he's flaunting it all over his socials? That's straight-up cheating," she yelled.

"He's already married to you. How could he do this?" she demanded.

I listened as my friend ranted, and as I scrolled through my socials, I saw Sophia's latest post.

Sophia: [A real husband is someone who's there for you when you're at your weakest.]

Sophia: [Andrew rushed back as soon as he heard I hurt my leg. Meeting him is the best thing that's ever happened to me.]

The photo showed her snuggled up in Andrew's arms, both of them grinning like they were the happiest couple in the world.

I stared at the photo, my eyes locked on the matching wedding rings on their fingers.

I squeezed my eyes shut, my heart numb with pain.

My husband married another woman and slipped a ring on her finger like it meant something.

Meanwhile, I was the legal wife who had no right to say a word.

But honestly, I didn't want him anymore.

Even if tearing out more than ten years of love would hurt like hell, I knew I would survive it.

And after all that pain, I would be free.

I let out a soft sigh and smiled at my friend. "Don't worry about me. I'm done with him. Actually, I'm getting a divorce."

My friend paused and then burst out, "Finally! You've come to your senses. You should've done this ages ago."

"That loser has left you behind for Sophia over and over again," she said.

Ten times. Ten times of soul-crushing pain, and I finally came to my senses.