Chapter 3

3

The next morning, Vanessa was actually in the kitchen making breakfast.

When she saw me get up, she acted as if nothing was wrong. "Go wash up. Breakfast is ready."

It was a pot of steaming shrimp chowder. She served me a large bowl, her eyes full of expectation.

In our years of marriage, she had never cooked a single meal.

I only knew she could cook because of Elias's social media posts.

He'd post about how she made him herbal soup when he had a cold.

Or how she prepared snacks and sunscreen for their trips.

How she'd surprise him with his favorite premium ice cream on hot days.

She picked out thoughtful gifts for him for every holiday.

Just like this birthday, where he probably just flirted his way into getting a custom perfume.

I had almost forgotten that our tenth anniversary was also Elias's birthday.

I hadn't slept at all last night. I had scrolled through his entire feed.

I felt like a thief peeking into someone else's happiness, watching it over and over.

"Liam, why are you just staring at it? Eat it while it's hot."

I stirred the spoon but didn't take a bite.

Vanessa looked confused.

I looked at the shrimp in the bowl and said softly, "I'm allergic to seafood."

Years ago, I accidentally ate seafood and ended up in the ER with a severe reaction.

Vanessa had knelt by my bed, crying her eyes out.

"Liam, please don't leave me..." she had sobbed.

As I stood up to leave, her face went pale. "Liam, if you don't like it, I can make something else, okay?"

I shook my head indifferently. "No thanks. I have to get to work."

I noticed a pink lunch box on the counter. Inside was more shrimp chowder, but the ginger and onions had been meticulously picked out.

That was the moment I truly felt the difference between her love and her indifference.

Elias had posted the night before: "So excited for yummy shrimp chowder tomorrow morning at the office, but I hate the ginger and onions."

Vanessa's face hardened. Her patience was wearing thin. She grabbed my arm as I headed for the door.

"Liam, are you still throwing a fit because I didn't spend yesterday with you?"

"The launch was crazy. I didn't have time to update you. I already gave you the new perfume as an apology. What more do you want?"

"You weren't like this before. You used to support my career. Why are you acting out now?"

When I used to be insecure, she found me annoying.

Now that I truly didn't care, why was she so upset?

For years, I had been her silent support system.

Actually, I was more like a maid.

I made sure she drank her soup, ran her baths, and picked up her dirty laundry.

I'd finish the chores late at night, only to wake up early to make her breakfast before my own job.

Looking back, I must have been insane. I did it all with a smile.

Until the night a man in a suit dropped a drunken Vanessa off at the door.

She was leaning heavily into his arms.

The man hurriedly explained, "Sir, Ms. Sterling had too much to drink. I'm just making sure she gets home."

The scent of sandalwood wafted off him, making my head spin.

Before leaving, he asked for my number. He said he was her new secretary, Elias, and didn't want to get yelled at.

He asked me to tell him about her habits and preferences.

I thought he was just a hardworking kid and felt bad for him.

So I told him everything.

The next day, I even told Vanessa to be nicer to her staff.

She had looked slightly uncomfortable but said nothing.

Now I realize every clue was right in front of me.

I looked at her calmly. "Vanessa, let's get a div―"

I was cut off by a specific ringtone.

Vanessa let go of my hand and turned to answer.

Elias's voice came through the speaker.

"Vanessa, where are you? I'm starving at the office."

"By the way, I really want those specialty buns from that bakery. Can you pick some up on your way?"

Her voice softened, sounding almost indulgent. "You little glutton. Fine, I will."

"I'm young, I have a fast metabolism! Oh, and Vanessa, did Liam get mad because I kept you late on your anniversary? If he is, I'll take him to dinner to apologize..."