Chapter 3

3

It was Lian. After several days, he finally remembered he had a wife.

But when he spoke, his tone was still patronizing. I could even hear Shana's voice in the background.

"Is the situation with your mom settled? I told you that kind of case..."

"She's dead."

I cut him off, my voice void of emotion. The other end of the line went dead silent.

I couldn't tell if it was because of the news or because of how cold I sounded.

After a long pause, he lashed out. He sounded disgusted, using every cruel word he could find.

"Aria, are you insane?! Just because I didn't help with the case, you're giving me this attitude?"

"Shana felt so guilty that she made me call to check on you. And this is how you act? You're absolutely heartless!"

I let out a bitter laugh. What did he expect?

Did he expect me to act like before? When he'd stay out all night with Shana and I'd just cook dinner and wait for him the next day?

Did he think I'd apologize first and do whatever it took to make him happy again?

I stayed silent. My heart grew colder with every insult he spat out.

But he didn't notice anything was wrong. He just kept ranting.

"You'll do anything to get me back, won't you? Even cursing your own mother like that!"

"I told you, Shana was sick. I was taking care of her. Can you stop being so damn jealous for one second?"

"Saying your mom is dead... I've never heard of anyone dying over a simple legal case!"

"Where is she? Put her on the phone! She's too old to be playing along with your lies. I need to have a word with her!"

Even now, he refused to believe she was gone. He thought I was just making up stories to get his attention.

Hearing Shana's fake, comforting voice in the background made me feel physically ill.

I was exhausted. I was done trying to hold together a marriage where I was the only participant.

Since he loved Shana so much and couldn't let go after all these years, I would give him his freedom.

Watching the snow fall outside, I closed my eyes and let out a long breath.

"...Lian, let's get a divorce."

For the first time, I didn't wait for his response. I hung up.

I could imagine him throwing a fit. He was always the one to lose his temper, never me.

In Lian's world, I was just a loyal dog that would never bite back, no matter how much he kicked me.

And dogs aren't supposed to have their own thoughts.

For the next while, neither of us contacted each other.

He was probably waiting for me to crawl back and apologize. He didn't know that this time, I meant every word.

I truly didn't love him anymore.

After finishing my mother's funeral arrangements, I went back to our house to settle the property.

This house was left to me by my mother. It was all I had left of her, so I wouldn't let him have it.

I drafted everything clearly. I gave Lian everything he was entitled to, and even a bit more. I just wanted him to take the money and leave.

Just as I was signing my name, the door clicked. Lian actually came home.

Ever since Shana returned to the country, he lived a double life. He was either at his firm or her place. It was like he had a whole separate family.

He didn't care that I was waiting for him. He didn't care that the rumors made me look like a fool.

The only person he cared about was Shana. To him, I was just a servant he could summon at will.

Proving my point, Lian started shouting the second he walked in.

"I'm starving. Why isn't dinner ready? Go make something, then transfer me some cash. I'm going shopping this afternoon."

The house was silent. No one answered him.

Lian's patience evaporated. He marched over to find me, looking at me like I was his worst enemy.

But before he could say a word, the divorce papers on the table shut him up.

Lian's eyes were full of contempt. He glanced at the papers and tossed them into the air like they were trash.

"Aria, haven't you played this game enough? The fighting, the divorce threats... you just want me to cut ties with Shana, don't you?"