Chapter 3

3

After I was discharged, I called a lawyer to draft the divorce papers.

On the day Macy was cleared to go home, I sent the papers to her.

I figured she’d be happy to sign them, but she showed up at my place instead.

“Miles Quinn, how long are you going to keep up this tantrum?”

She grabbed the only photo of us on the TV stand and smashed it on the floor.

I looked at the shattered glass and the torn picture. I knelt down to pick it up.

I had asked her a hundred times to take photos with me, but she always had an excuse.

When we got married, I wanted professional wedding photos.

She said they were tacky and kept pushing back the ceremony.

This one photo was just the one required for our marriage license.

Meanwhile, her phone was stuffed with thousands of pictures of her and Jasper.

I looked up at her, my eyes empty of any emotion.

“Macy, you and Jasper have a kid now. I’m just trying to give you the family you wanted.”

I pulled out a lighter and set the photo on fire.

Macy looked shocked, then furious. She pointed a finger at me.

“Are you insane? I told you, I only had this baby to thank Jasper for taking care of me!”

“Jasper said he’s never getting married again, but he’s an only child. He needs someone to carry on his name!”

“Besides, you left me alone for two years. You weren't there, so why shouldn't someone else be? Did you want me to die in this house alone?”

I didn't say a word. I just watched the photo turn to ash.

Did I want to leave her?

When the transfer order came, I told her I’d quit my job just to stay with her.

She was the one who insisted I go.

She didn't have a job then, so I asked her to move with me. I promised her a great life.

She made up an excuse to stay.

I offered to fly back every single weekend.

She told me it was too much work and she didn't want me to be tired.

Every solution I offered was shot down.

She just didn't want me ruining her honeymoon with Jasper.

My silence made her even angrier.

“Miles! Are you a mute? Say something!”

“Stop being so disgusting. Jasper and I are completely innocent!”

I actually laughed out loud at that.

“The kid is a month old, Macy. How can you stand there and claim you’re innocent?”

“I loved you, but I wasn't an idiot.”

Her face went from white to red, and she couldn't find the words to respond.

Just then, her phone rang.

Her angry expression melted into a sweet smile when she saw the caller ID.

She spoke into the phone with a voice like honey.

The second she hung up, she looked at me with ice in her eyes.

“I was a fool for coming here to talk to you.”

“My patience is wearing thin. If you keep acting like this, I really will divorce you!”

“I’m going back to my baby. Think about what you’re doing. Don't make a decision you’ll regret!”

She slammed the door on her way out.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight lift.

Regret?

I had already made the decision I regretted most.

I married a woman who never loved me, hoping I could win her over.

I see now how pathetic that was.

Some hearts are just made of stone.