Chapter 2

2.

After I finished tidying up, I took a quick shower and retreated to our bedroom.

Jaxon was still awake, and after glancing at me, he shifted over to make room for me on the bed.

I moved behind him in a practiced, silent routine to massage his shoulders.

After a few minutes, he turned around, his expression sour.

"Are you even trying? Did you skip dinner or something?"

I didn't answer; I just stared at him blankly.

His temper flared, and he snapped at me.

"Are you mute now?"

This was always his pattern―he would pick a fight over nothing and badger me until I apologized for existing.

I couldn't help the sarcasm that dripped from my tongue.

"I wouldn't dare eat. I was too afraid I might miss the grand arrival of the great Mr. Sterling."

Jaxon went quiet for a second, clearing his throat awkwardly.

"If you were hungry, you should have just found something to eat. Why would you just sit there like an idiot?"

"Honestly, you are so dense sometimes."

"Fine, forget the massage. Just go to sleep."

He acted as if he were granting me some magnificent mercy, so I didn't hesitate.

I turned my back to him, pulled up the duvet, and closed my eyes.

The man behind me stayed still for a long time, taking heavy breaths before finally killing the lights.

This was the first night in five years that I didn't try to curl into his arms to fall asleep.

By the time I woke up the next morning, it was already late.

To my surprise, Jaxon hadn't left for the office; he was sitting on the sofa, reading a book.

He wore light-framed glasses and casual clothes, looking soft and calm―exactly like the man I first fell in love with.

For a split second, I thought the old Jaxon had come back.

But the moment he looked up, the illusion shattered.

"Don't just stand there like a statue. Can't you see I am waiting for you? Hurry up."

His eyes were filled with nothing but impatience and condescension.

I nodded, quickly finished the cold breakfast on the table, and stood by his side.

Jaxon looked me up and down, scowling at my plain T-shirt and jeans.

"Don't you know how to make yourself look presentable? You are already plain enough as it is."

"Honestly, you are lucky I am the one who married you, considering how lazy and unattractive you have become."

Now that I had stripped away the rose-colored glasses, I realized how disgusting his constant insults actually were.

I used to treasure those words, thinking they were just his weird way of showing he loved me.

I rolled my eyes internally but kept my face neutral.

Jaxon waited for me to blush or act shy, but when I didn't, he huffed.

"Whatever. I am supposed to be making it up to you today, so I will let it slide."

We got into the car, but the silence between us was immediately broken by the constant chiming of his phone.

There was only one person bold enough to blow up his phone like that―Gwenyth.

Without a hint of hesitation, Jaxon pulled the car over to the curb to answer.

I leaned my head against the window, watching the scenery while his hushed, tender voice filled the car.

The girl on the other end was clearly pouting, and Jaxon's tone became increasingly indulgent.

I had never heard him speak like that to me.

It was so sickly sweet it made me want to gag.

When he finally finished soothing Gwenyth, he didn't even lose that look of adoration before he told me to get out.

"I will come find you later tonight."

I was left standing on the side of the road, watching his car roar away.

A familiar pang of bitterness rose in my chest.

He wasn't coming back tonight.

Just like the ninety-nine times before, he was gone.

Ten minutes later, a sleek car pulled up, and my best friend rolled down the window, scoffing at me.

"I told you years ago that being a stay-at-home wife would end in disaster."