Chapter 1

On our wedding anniversary, my wife told me she had to work late at the office.

I stayed up waiting for her until past midnight.

What I got instead was a breathless, accidental phone call.

"Does that feel good?"

Through the receiver came heavy, intimate panting that made my blood run cold.

Her childhood sweetheart whispered her nickname with unbearable tenderness.

"Autumn... stop touching me like that. The baby is still sleeping!"

In the past, I would have screamed at her hysterically, demanding to know what they were doing.

Now, I didn't care anymore.

I was going to divorce her.

1.

Autumn came back the next morning.

She hummed a little tune as she set a bag of breakfast on the kitchen island.

"I got your favorite warm mushroom pastries!"

Ever since we got married, she rarely showed me this kind of care.

In the past, I would have wagged my tail like a lapdog and thanked her endlessly for being such a wonderful wife.

This time, I just cast a cold glance at the bag, walked past her into the kitchen, and made myself a simple bowl of noodle soup.

Autumn didn't even notice my indifference.

She curled up on the couch, smiling as she texted back and forth on her phone.

She finally stood up and announced she was heading out.

"Yeah, go ahead."

"I need to go meet a client..."

We spoke at the exact same time.

Her voice carried a distinct edge of annoyance.

Before my heart had completely frozen over, I always used to ask where she was going. I never doubted her; I just asked out of genuine concern.

Before she reconnected with her childhood sweetheart, she used to answer me with a gentle smile.

Now, everything had changed.

Autumn paused awkwardly at my flat response, biting her lip.

"I thought you were going to ask where I was going and who I was hanging out with..."

I kept my head down, slurping my noodles.

"No. I won't ever ask you that again."

"Luke, are you throwing a tantrum?"

She dropped her designer purse onto the table and sat down across from me.

"Is this because I didn't come home for our anniversary yesterday?"

"Didn't I tell you I had to work overtime?"

I looked up, cutting her off mid-sentence.

"I'm not angry. If you want to leave, just go!"

Yesterday was our five-year wedding anniversary.

She claimed she had late meetings at the firm.

I believed her like a fool.

I sat alone on the living room sofa for half the night, waiting.

All I received was that suggestive, agonizing phone call.

"Does that feel good?"

The heavy panting on the other end was unmistakable.

Silas had murmured her name affectionately.

"Autumn... stop touching me like that. The baby is still sleeping!"

I knew Silas had dialed my number on purpose.

This wasn't the first time he had provoked me like this.

In the past, I would have lost my dignity and gotten into a screaming match with Autumn.

Every man has his breaking point.

I was done playing their sick game.

"Luke Campbell! What is with this attitude? Are you trying to pick a fight with me again?"

She stepped in front of me, blocking my way to the sink.

I told her calmly that I wasn't fighting.

She didn't believe a word.

She glared at me, her eyes flashing with irritation.

"Aren't you just giving me the cold shoulder because you're mad, which is why you won't touch the pastries I bought?"

"Stop acting. We've been together for years, Luke. I know you better than anyone."

Yes, she knew me so well.

So well that she never realized I had always hated mushrooms.

In fact, I was severely allergic to them.

Because I loved her so deeply, whenever she brought home mushroom pastries, I would force myself to eat every single bite with a smile.

Afterward, I would secretly rush to the emergency room for an antihistamine shot.

She had actually seen me go to the hospital before, and I had gently mentioned my allergy.

She just never bothered to remember it.

"Fine, fine. I promise I'll spend the entire day with you on our next anniversary..."

Seeing that I remained silent, she softened her tone, promising she would take me on a vacation once she finished her current project.

She was a master at this routine.

Slap me across the face, then hand me a piece of candy.

Back then, I would have felt touched and completely fallen for it.

Now, looking back, I only saw how pathetic and blind I had been.

I met Autumn's impatient gaze and let out a dry chuckle.

"No need."

"Once you're done being busy, let's sit down and discuss our divorce."