Chapter 2

That night, Heath did not come home. It was the first time in our four years of marriage that he stayed out all night.

I called his cell frantically until my fingers cramped.

When he finally picked up, his voice was rushed and breathy, claiming he had an emergency business trip out of town to close a deal.

Through the receiver, I heard his ragged breathing and the unmistakable, muffled moans of a woman in the background.

“Wren, I… I am at the airport. Boarding soon, bad signal… we will talk when I get back.”

He hung up before I could utter a word.

When I tried calling back, his phone was switched off.

Over the next few days, Heath never returned. He only sent occasional generic texts, telling me he was busy and to take care of myself.

When I asked when he was coming back, he claimed the negotiations hit a snag and needed a few more days.

I never told him that the downtown hotel had sent the five-night reservation confirmation straight to my phone.

I lied to myself back then, thinking maybe he just needed some time, maybe he would come to his senses.

I loved him, so I chose to give him one last chance―and gave myself one last chance.

Instead, all I got was deeper betrayal and utter humiliation.

I stared at his guilty face through the screen. “Heath, if you do not come home right now, do not ever bother coming back.”

Panic flashed across his features. “Wren, do not be mad! I am heading home right now, wait for me!”

I hung up without another word. The surgical incision on my abdomen throbbed, and dizziness washed over me from the blood loss.

I curled up on the sofa and drifted into an uneasy, feverish sleep.

When I opened my eyes, bright morning sunlight filled the living room. The apartment was dead silent.

He had not come back.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh. A sudden stomach cramp hit me, forcing me to double over in pain.

Right then, the front door clicked open.

Heath walked in with a bright smile on his face, holding two heavy grocery bags full of fresh food.

A faint warmth flickered in my chest. Had he rushed back just to cook a recovery meal for me?

“Wren, I am back!” Heath’s eyes lit up when he saw me. He held up a bag. “Look, I got fresh sea bass. I am going to make some nourishing fish broth!”

Holding my aching belly, I frowned. “I just had abdominal surgery yesterday. I cannot eat fish right now.”

Heath froze, an awkward look crossing his face. “Oh… well, the fish broth… is actually for Sadie.”

My heart plummeted straight into an icy void.

“Sadie has a sensitive stomach, and she can only eat light meals. Fish broth with ginger is great for her…”

Heath babbled on as he unpacked the groceries, completely oblivious to how pale and shattered I looked.

“Heath, why do you live in a walk-up building? Climbing those stairs almost killed me.”

Sadie’s voice drifted in from the foyer, accompanied by an exaggerated, delicate cough.

Sadie strolled into the living room without an ounce of shame.

When she saw me on the couch, she faked a momentary shock before putting on a sweet smile. “Oh, you are here too? We can all share the soup later.”

That was when I noticed the light blue dress she was wearing. It was the exact custom anniversary gift Heath had personally picked out for me.

I stared at them, the fury in my veins threatening to explode, yet my throat was choked with silence.

Heath seemed to realize how terrible this looked. He stammered defensively, “Wren, Sadie was not feeling well being alone, so I brought her over.”

“This is our home,” I said, pushing myself up from the couch. The dizziness hit me hard. “Heath, have you completely lost your shame? What the hell am I to you?”

“Why are you yelling at me?!”

Heath slammed the fish onto the counter and stormed over, pointing his finger right in my face.

“She is sick! Do you know how hard it was for her to come all the way here? Can’t you just be civil for once?”

His sheer audacity made me laugh through the tears.

My surgical wound felt like it was ripping apart, sending blinding pain shooting through my skull. I swayed, nearly losing my balance.

“Wren!” Heath gasped. But instead of catching me, he merely braced his hand against the sofa next to me.

Then, he turned around with deep concern and checked on Sadie. “Sadie, are you okay? Do not let her upset you.”

I collapsed back onto the cushions, my vision going black at the edges.

My stomach churned violently, but I bit my lip hard, refusing to let out a single sound.

Sadie gently patted Heath’s hand, her voice dripping with honey. “I am fine, Heath. Wren just had surgery, so it is natural for her to be in a bad mood. I understand.”

“You are always so considerate,” Heath looked at her with pure tenderness. “Unlike some people who throw tantrums over every little thing…”

I closed my eyes, took a ragged breath, and swallowed the metallic taste rising in my throat.

“The divorce papers are on the coffee table. Sign them,” I croaked, leaning back against the couch.

Heath blinked. He picked up the folder from the table, flipped through the pages, and his face instantly contorted with rage.

“Wren! What the hell is this?!”

He hurled the papers right into my face, his features twisting with fury. “You are divorcing me over some petty little thing?!”

I brushed the papers off my face and locked eyes with him. “Yes. We are done.”

“Wren! You will regret this!”

Heath trembled with fury, spitting out his words.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you are doing! You are just jealous of Sadie! Let me tell you, she is a thousand times better than you will ever be!”

“Enough!” I screamed, standing up despite the agonizing pain at my stitches.

“Heath Caldwell, search your damn conscience! How did I treat you all these years? Did I ever let you down?!”