Chapter 2

2.

Bennett and I met back in college.

Back then, I had gained thirty pounds from the stress of exams, and I was desperately trying to lose weight.

Several guys in class openly mocked me, calling me a heavy tank and comparing me to a pig.

Bennett was the only one who stepped up to shut them down.

"Beauty isn't one-dimensional," he had snapped at them. "Since when is being skin-and-bones the only standard? I think Corinne is gorgeous."

In that single moment, he seemed to shine like a beacon of light.

After that, he accompanied me on morning runs and ate bland meal-prep bowls with me.

Naturally, we fell in love and started dating.

A year later, Cadence was admitted to the same college and became his little shadow.

Bennett and Cadence were from a blended family. Her father had died just one year after marrying Bennett's mother.

Bennett told me that she grew up without fatherly affection and was excessively dependent on him.

I understood her vulnerability. Not only did I never complain about her tagging along, but I also went out of my way to be kind to her.

Eventually, I realized that whenever Bennett and I tried to spend time alone, Cadence would always find an excuse to drag him away if she couldn't come.

She fell sick on my birthday. She felt dizzy on holidays. Her depression flared up whenever we planned an anniversary getaway.

Throughout our entire college years, Bennett and I had spent time truly alone less than three times.

Bennett would always look at me with an apologetic smile, saying she was just immature.

I swallowed my frustration time after time, only for her behavior to escalate after we got married.

Bennett didn't even consult me before dedicating a bedroom in our marital home exclusively for her.

We had countless screaming matches over that.

The real breaking point that cemented my decision to divorce happened three days ago, on our wedding anniversary.

To make things up to me, Bennett had reserved a high-end restaurant downtown.

He emphasized repeatedly that this would be our private world, telling me to look forward to his big surprise.

I waited at that restaurant table for hours. From twilight into the dead of night, Bennett never showed up.

The dishes were reheated over and over, while my heart slowly turned to stone.

The waiter approached our table once more.

"Ma'am, would you like me to warm this up again?"

Only then did Bennett finally send a text.

【Babe, Cadence suddenly fainted. I might be really late. ??】

【If you're hungry, eat without me. Love you! ??】

I shook my head in utter exhaustion, feeling completely numb inside.