Chapter 3

Chapter 3

In another private room down the hall, the most intense fight of our marriage erupted.

Fuelled by the alcohol in his system, Luke did not hold back his harsh words.

"It is just a birthday! You have one every single year, is it really that big of a deal?"

"Chloe only comes back once a year! Can you pick a better time and place to act jealous?"

"I told you, her late father was a huge mentor to me. He asked me to look out for her, and I only see her as a younger sister!"

Chloe, Chloe, Chloe. His entire world revolved around her.

His debt of gratitude to her father was his favorite shield whenever he needed an excuse.

If their relationship was so innocent, why hide it from his wife and attend the party in secret?

I lost my temper, begging him to give me a reasonable explanation that could calm my racing heart.

Even if it was a lie, I was willing to pretend to believe it just to keep our marriage together.

Yet when I demanded to know why he hid the party and did not bring me along, Luke replied with absolute self-righteousness.

"Chloe gets uncomfortable around strangers. She did not want you there."

"She just got back into town, and we were catching up as old friends. Can you stop being so paranoid?"

"Go home first. Once we finish drinking, I still have to drive Chloe back to her apartment."

He said it right to my face, treating driving another woman home as if it were his sacred duty.

That was the first night I ever threatened him with divorce to make him come home.

The result was nothing but utter humiliation.

Luke walked away down the long corridor without looking back, leaving me to cry alone under the dim lights.

Looking back now, I was truly pathetic.

Snapping back to reality, I silently threw the shredded divorce papers into the trash can without crying or shouting.

Luke noticed my calm demeanor and assumed his usual excuses had worked their magic again.

After all, his wife had always been easy to placate because she loved him far too much.

Even after the huge fight at the lounge back then, I was still the one who cooked his favorite dinner the next day and apologized first.

He assumed tonight was no different.

Luke rubbed his tired temples and softened his tone slightly.

"I know it was wrong of me to forget your birthday, but I have been swamped with work lately."

"Sonia, please try to understand me. Once this busy season is over, I will do whatever you want."

"A ski trip to Aspen, a beach vacation, or just shopping and movies. Whatever you choose, okay?"

If this were the past, I would have forgiven him instantly and started planning our itinerary with excitement.

Those days were long gone. I had been fed the exact same empty promise year after year.

Luke's promises were debts he never intended to pay.

The furthest place he had ever taken me was a fantasy in my own head.

I would never believe him again, nor would I hold onto any lingering hope.

Without saying a word, I gave a faint nod and walked out of the bedroom.

I was not worried about the divorce. Luke loved Chloe so deeply that he would eventually sign the papers.

Besides, the Vance family and the Stone family had deep corporate ties and intertwining assets, so untangling everything would take time anyway.

With the emotional weight lifted off my shoulders, I slept peacefully in the guest room and only got ready for the office in the late afternoon.

When I woke up, Luke had already left the house.

Soon enough, I found out exactly where he was.