Chapter 2
It was like Andrew had completely forgotten those 100 failed proposals from college. He couldn't keep away from Susan while still acted caring and attentive toward me.
Andrew started staying out all night, and even Max began tagging along with him to visit Susan.
I always thought that after six years of marriage and five years as a mom, I still had a place in their hearts.
But today, I finally snapped out of the fantasy I'd created for myself.
Six years of marriage, and I still couldn't win Andrew's love.
Even my own son was just like his father. He didn't care about me as his mom at all.
The sound of the door opening snapped me out of my thoughts.
I instinctively looked toward the door. Andrew and Max were standing in the doorway.
Andrew nudged Max, wearing a stern look. "Go on, apologize to your mom."
Max fidgeted with his fingers, shuffling over to my bedside, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mom, I'm sorry."
I turned my head away, not saying a word.
I caught the unwilling look in Max's eyes.
Andrew added in a deep voice, "Max didn't do it on purpose. He didn't know about your allergy. I've already talked to him, and he won't bring you anything with chestnuts again.
"There was some urgent stuff at the office, so since you were still out cold, I went back to deal with it."
It was smack in the middle of summer, the air practically sizzling with heat.
But I felt like I was trapped in a winter a hundred times colder than any blizzard.
Since I woke up, Andrew hadn't bothered to send me a single text.
The only things he said to me after coming in were nothing but lies.
When I didn't say anything, Andrew's brows furrowed in irritation. "Come on, it's your birthday. Don't take it out on a kid.
"Max and I got you a gift. Take a look, and see if you like it. I'll put it on you once you're out of here."
He pulled out a gift box and opened it, revealing a diamond necklace inside.
It looked like something they'd grabbed last minute at the mall on their way over.
I glanced at it and looked away, my voice quiet. "I've got a present for you both too."
Andrew blurted out, "Isn't it your birthday? Why are you giving us a gift?"
Max stared at me, looking just as puzzled.
I gave a relieved smile. "It's only fair to give something back, right? Relax. You'll see it in a few days, and I know you'll love it."
They were signed divorce papers. Exactly what they'd been waiting for.
Andrew looked like he couldn't care less.
"Just rest up here, don't bother about getting us anything," he said, then glanced at his phone.
Max pouted, clearly bored out of his mind.
I caught every bit of their reaction, and couldn't help but pull a bitter smile.
They didn't care now, but when they finally saw the divorce papers, I bet they'd be absolutely thrilled.
Suddenly, I couldn't help but wonder what I really meant to them.
Was I just an emotional substitute? Their housekeeper? Or maybe the most familiar stranger under the same roof?
Thinking that, I couldn't help but ask.
As soon as I finished speaking, a sweet female voice came through Andrew's phone. "Andrew, answer me right now, or I'll be mad!"
I froze.
As a CEO, Andrew always used the standard ringtone.
But soon I realized it. My nails dug deep into my palm.
This was probably from when Andrew and Susan were dating. He had recorded her voice and set it as her personal ringtone.
Even Andrew, who's so cold and distant now, once did something this sweet.
He's kept that ringtone for six whole years.
Maybe all this time, he's been waiting for her to call.
Andrew picked up the call right away.
From the phone, I could make out Susan's soft sobbing.
Andrew got up in a flash, grabbed his coat, and headed for the door.
"I'll be there right away," he said. His tone was unusually gentle.
After hanging up at the door, he seemed to remember something.
He looked at me on the hospital bed and said calmly, "A friend is in trouble. I'll go deal with it. Get some rest."
Andrew was so eager to rush to Susan that he didn't even notice how lame his excuse sounded.
What friend would he go and set a ringtone like that for?
Max was already trailing right behind Andrew as soon as he stood up.
"Mom, I want to go with Dad," he said.
That was when it finally struck me. Neither Andrew nor Max had actually listened to a single word I said.
Even when they'd come straight from Susan's place to the hospital, all they cared about was her.
Andrew kept staring at his phone, just so he wouldn't miss her call.
I dropped my gaze and murmured, "Okay."
They didn't reply, but I already had the answer I needed.
After they left, I called my lawyer. "Please draw up the divorce papers and send them to me right away."
The lawyer asked, all business, "Do you want custody of Max?"
"No," I answered quietly. "I don't want anything or anyone from Lucas' family."
All I wanted now was a divorce.
I spent a whole week in the hospital before the allergic reaction finally cleared up.
During my week in the hospital, Susan kept posting photos every day.
Turns out, the "trouble" Andrew was talking about was just a cockroach problem at Susan's place.
Andrew and Max helped Susan find a new apartment and bought new furniture. Together, the three of them slowly turned an empty house into a warm home.
The day I got discharged, Andrew and Max finally showed up after disappearing for a whole week.