Chapter 2

2.

At one in the morning, Janelle finally stumbled home, reeking of alcohol.

"It was a friend's birthday party," she mumbled. "That's why I'm back late."

My gaze immediately locked onto a dark hickey on her collarbone.

It pierced my eyes like a jagged needle.

"Janelle, let's get a divorce."

My voice echoed through the empty living room.

She did not take it seriously at all.

She kicked off her heels and said flatly, "I've had an exhausting day. Don't start drama with me."

She had treated me with this cold indifference for the past two years.

Years ago, Miles had lost a finger while saving her life, leaving her with immense guilt.

When he returned to town and asked her to complete a couple's bucket list of a hundred things, she agreed without hesitation.

She promised me that once she completed these hundred tasks, she would owe him nothing and dedicate herself to our marriage.

I believed her, but she started staying out night after night.

I constantly saw her posts of dinner dates, theme park trips, and even holding hands with Miles.

Whenever I questioned her, she always brushed it off.

"It's just part of the hundred tasks," she would say. "It's all fake. You don't need to care."

Back then, I still trusted her foolishly.

I tolerated her playing couple with Miles.

I naively thought that once it was over, we could go back to the way we were.

Now I realized how pathetic I had been.

"I'm serious. I want a divorce."

"We're going to file the paperwork tomorrow."

The air in the room dropped below freezing.

"Are you throwing a tantrum just because I missed your call?"

Janelle glared at me in annoyance.

"Why are you being so petty? I was busy back then."

Whenever an issue arose, she always pushed the blame onto me.

It had been like this for all seven years of our marriage.

I was truly, utterly exhausted.

"Janelle, I saw the videos you made for Miles."

Her face showed no guilt, only irritated impatience.

"I never actually slept with him. Besides, this is the ninety-ninth task on his list. Just one more, and I will have repaid my debt to him."

Her excuse sounded utterly ridiculous.

I didn't want to argue anymore.

You can never wake someone who is pretending to be asleep.