Chapter 1
On Valentine's Day, I bought all the ingredients ahead of time and spent the whole afternoon in the kitchen, cooking up a feast. I was waiting for my husband to come home so we could enjoy the festival together.
But then he texted me. [Project's behind schedule. I have to fly to Othaerin tonight and might be gone for a week.]
I didn't ask any questions. I just kept reheating the food and slowly ate the whole plate of mooncakes by myself.
Late that night, his ex-girlfriend posted on her social media.
In the photo, she was nestled against him, smiling sweetly, with the Valentine's Day festival in Othaerin glowing in the background.
The caption read: [I just mentioned wanting to see the festival, and he rushed over overnight to be with me. I guess that's what it means to be someone's favorite.]
I stared at the screen, not crying, not making a fuss. I just gave it a like.
Less than a minute later, his call came through.
His voice was laced with anxiety. "Don't get the wrong idea. Next Valentine's Day, I swear I'll be home with you..."
I just smiled and put my phone aside.
There wouldn't be a next year for us.
Elbert didn't come home until late into the night.
The room was dark, with only a sliver of moonlight leaking through the gap in the curtains.
I lay on my side in the bedroom, facing away from the door, feigning sleep with my eyes closed.
He pushed the door open, his footsteps heavy, slippers dragging across the floor as he made his way to the bed.
"Andrea," he called out, his voice thick and sticky from drinking.
Elbert muttered, his voice thick with alcohol, "My head's killing me. Go make me some hangover soup."
I didn't even lift my eyelids. I stayed perfectly still.
He called my name again, this time with a bit more force, though he was still holding back.
He said, "I drank too much. My head hurts.
"Go make me some soup, add ginger and honey, and fry me a soft-boiled egg.
"Hurry up, I can barely stand."
If it were any other day, I'd have already gotten up and started cooking for him.
But tonight, I just rolled over, facing the wall, and said in a flat voice, "I'm going to sleep. Just order yourself some takeout."
Elbert paused, standing motionless at the edge of the bed.
After a few seconds, he lowered his voice, trying to sound calm:
He said, "I know you're still mad about me spending Valentine's Day with Haven.
"But you're an adult now. Can't you stop acting so childish?
"I've had a long day. I drank too much. Honestly, I don't have the energy for your drama."
I opened my eyes, staring at the shadows on the ceiling, a faint smile on my lips.
"I'm not angry," I said quietly.
Elbert frowned. "Then what is this supposed to mean?"
His voice started to show a hint of impatience.
He said, "I've told you already. Haven was alone in Othaerin. I just happened to be there for the holiday and took her to see the festival. That's all.
"What's so hard to get? Andrea, can't you stop nitpicking about this?"
I turned my head, my gaze settling on him, my voice still flat.
I said, "Yeah, I know. I'm not mad, just really tired."
Elbert stared at me, searching my face for any sign of weakness, like he was trying to catch me slipping.
After a few seconds, he dropped his gaze, his tone shifting to one of mild reproach.
He said, "Is this really what you want? I'm exhausted tonight, I don't want to fight.
"Can't you just be reasonable for once? Stop making me feel like you're doing this on purpose to torture me."
I pulled my gaze back, my tone patient as I explained, "I'm not trying to make things hard for you, and I don't want to argue.
"Are you done? Because I'm going back to bed."
Elbert stood there for a long moment, silent.
He stared at my back, his expression growing darker with every passing second.
"What do you want from me?" Elbert finally demanded.
His voice was tight, barely holding back his anger.
He said, "It's the middle of the night. I'm exhausted. All I want is a hot bowl of soup to warm me up.
"So that's it? Just one sentence and you send me packing.
"Andrea, you are just sulking. Do you even love me anymore?"
After I heard that, I turned over to face him and replied with a careless shrug, "Love? Of course I still love you."
My tone was light, almost floating, as if the words meant nothing at all.
I said, "Can't you just order some takeout yourself?"
I rolled over, tugged the blanket closer, and didn't even bother to open my eyes.
"It's really late, and I'm honestly exhausted. I just want to get some sleep," I added.
Elbert clearly hadn't expected me to shut him down like that.
He stood there, frozen, his Adam's apple bobbing as if something was stuck in his throat.
He said, "Andrea, you..."
His voice dropped, full of disbelief and defeat.
He asked, "Are you really just brushing me off like this?"