Chapter 2

2

"I'll take you out for dinner tomorrow to make up for your birthday," Simon said.

Probably because I was too submissive and obedient, he frowned, and his tone was mixed with a little guilt.

"No need."

I got up, put the towel back in place, and lay down beside him.

He had a very nice woody scent. When he didn't speak, he looked like a perfect gentleman.

"The stuff on the table..."

Feeling my presence beside him, he put down his phone. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

I didn't know what Natalie had texted him, but I could tell he was very happy.

"Clean it up tomorrow. Go to sleep," he said.

I was always so well-behaved. Even when faced with unfair treatment, I didn't cry or make a fuss.

Simon didn't think much of it, turned around, and fell asleep.

I didn't sleep. My eyes stared intently at the man in front of me, full of piercing pain.

The next day, I got up very early and made a table full of breakfast!

"Why did you make so much?"

Simon was a bit surprised. He subconsciously moved the coffee away and picked up the milk.

"I woke up early and wanted you to try everything."

My eyes were calm as I forcefully chewed the sandwich in my mouth.

I didn't say this was the last time I would make breakfast for him. I wanted him to get used to Western food, and I wanted him to eat a hearty meal.

It was as if doing this would make him remember it a bit longer.

Ding!

A faint notification sound broke the silence. Simon got excited, grabbed his jacket, and prepared to leave.

"Wait!"

I didn't need to ask to know whose message it was, but I had more important things to do.

"What is it?"

He turned around impatiently. Seeing the document in my hand, he took it and signed it without a second thought.

This forced the words "let's get a divorce" back down my throat.

"I'm leaving if there's nothing else."

He walked away quickly, leaving me alone looking at the paper in my hand. I revealed a smile uglier than crying.

We had maintained this state for a long time. He didn't care about me, so he ignored what I said and did.

But this was a divorce agreement, and he didn't even glance at it. It seemed he had absolutely no love for me.

"Simon, do you know what you just signed?"

This made him pause briefly at the door. "Isn't it just some project files you mentioned before? What's wrong?"

Just as I thought. In his eyes, a woman who loved him as much as I did would probably never ask for a divorce.

"Nothing."

Let it end here, Simon. Since you love her so much, what right do I have to stop you from running to her!

In the afternoon, I went back to my mother's house.

My mother was recovering very well. On days when she didn't have to work, she played cards and danced. She looked in great spirits.

"Mom, I'm going to work in New York," I said.

Six years ago, I was offered a high-paying job as a design director at a company in New York.

To make up for it, Mr. Stone invested in a company and appointed me as the CEO.

My mother was very happy. Having a successful child was every parent's wish. Moreover, she felt guilty that she was partly the reason I missed that opportunity.

"Tara, it's good that you can re-enter the workplace, but..." Her smile faded, as if she thought of something.

"Tara, if you go to New York, won't you be separated from Simon? Won't that affect your relationship?"

She knew that my husband didn't like me very much, and she felt she was a big factor in that.

"How about I go out to work, and you stay here to nurture your relationship with him?" she suggested.

A mother knows her child best. My mother had seen my dedication over the past few years and her heart ached for me.

She understood that I really loved him, otherwise I wouldn't have held on for so long.

She was getting old, and her biggest wish was just for her child to be happy.

"Mom, I divorced him."

I let out a long sigh after saying this.

My mother froze in place and forced a smile.

"That's for the best. He doesn't love you, so no matter how hard you try, it's useless. I just want you to be well."

Holding back her tears, she pulled me into her arms. I leaned into her embrace and nodded.

Yes, this was for the best. This way, I wouldn't be trapped in the same place forever.