Chapter 3

3.

Roxanne didn't expect me to talk back.

She went silent for a second before exploding.

Even after I tossed the phone across the bed, I could hear her screaming obscenities.

The nurse eventually couldn't take it anymore and hung up for me.

I spent seven days in that hospital, and Roxanne never once asked where I was.

I guess I was just an obstacle she was glad to be rid of.

Without me, she could play house with Jasper all she wanted.

Every day, she appeared in his social media stories.

Two days later, I was discharged and headed home.

When I walked through the door, I froze.

The acrylic display cases in the living room were empty.

My entire collection of limited-edition car models was gone.

My brain went numb for a second as a horrible thought struck me.

I immediately dialed Roxanne's number.

She picked up after a few rings.

"Make it quick! Some of us actually work. You're the only one who can just disappear whenever you want!"

Her condescending tone fueled the fire in my chest.

I kept my voice low and steady. "Roxanne, where are my car models?"

"Oh, those toys..."

She dragged out her words, sounding bored.

"Jasper liked them, so I gave them to him."

"Roxanne, you've gone too far!" I shouted.

"Watch your tone, Hayes! They were just plastic junk. If you want them so bad, I'll buy you new ones!"

"Junk?" I collapsed onto the sofa, laughing until tears pricked my eyes.

She had never heard me laugh like that, and she stayed quiet for a moment.

"Fine, I'll find you some new ones tomorrow. Stop being a drama queen."

I took a deep breath. "Don't bother. Just come home tomorrow. I have something for you."

I hung up immediately.

When I married her, my parents said she was just a pretty face and wasn't good enough for our family.

But I married her anyway, and my parents hadn't spoken to me in three years.

I had worked hard, turning a small investment into a nine-figure business.

I gave her the company and all the money to manage without a second thought.

I gave her everything, and the only hobby I had left was those models.

And yet, she still couldn't let me have that one thing.

I called a friend who shared my hobby to see if I could find replacements.

He sounded shocked. "Wait, Roxanne said you wanted to sell the whole collection. Why are you looking for more?"

I did some digging and found out Jasper hadn't even kept them. He sold them for a massive profit.

I was so angry I kicked over Roxanne's favorite designer vase.

Then I called a luxury boutique.

I canceled the order for the rare crocodile skin handbag I had planned to give her.

The sales associate, desperate to keep her commission, called Roxanne and told her everything.

Roxanne lost her mind instantly.

She called me and started screaming before I could even say hello.

"Hayes Sterling! I get rid of a little bit of your trash, and you cancel my bag?"

"Do you think I don't deserve a new bag? You're acting like a total psycho!"