Chapter 3

3

When I didn't rush to soothe her with frantic apologies like I used to, Shelby's expression shifted into irritation.

"What is with this attitude? I'm trying to have a reasonable conversation with you!"

I didn't bother responding. I picked up my bags and walked straight toward the front entrance.

"The hangover soup is on the counter. Make sure to drink it, and take care of yourself from now on."

Shelby chased after me, grabbing my wrist tightly. That was when she spotted our marriage certificate tucked into my bag.

Her eyebrows shot up with sudden panic. "Why are you carrying this?"

Before I could answer, she snatched my bags and threw them back into the hallway.

"Don't think I don't know you're just throwing a childish tantrum to get my attention."

"I didn't forget your birthday. Look, I even brought you a gift, didn't I?"

With that, she pulled an ugly, tacky designer tie out of her purse and shoved it into my hands.

I took one look at it and instantly recognized it as the free promotional gift that came with the luxury duffel Chase bought last week.

Chase had already flaunted it online, bragging that it was the ninety-ninth gift Shelby had bought for him.

Back when I saw that post, I felt like a rat in the gutter, drowning in pathetic envy.

Because Shelby had never put that kind of effort into me.

The only gift she ever gave me was a hand-knitted scarf when we first got married.

It was worn and riddled with holes now, yet I still treated it like a priceless treasure every single winter.

"What's with that look on your face? I bought you a present, and you're not even happy?"

Shelby glared at me critically, her face darkening.

In her twisted mind, the moment she showed displeasure, I was supposed to drop to my knees and beg for her forgiveness.

Unfortunately for her, I was completely drained.

"You and I both know exactly where this tie came from. Do you really need me to spell it out?"

"I'm done being the third wheel between you and Chase. Shouldn't you be throwing a party instead?"

I scoffed coldly, spun on my heel, and stormed out the front door.

No matter how desperately Shelby screamed my name behind me, I never looked back.

I checked into a hotel near my office for the time being.

My plan was simple: the moment my resignation cleared at work, I would pack up and move back to my hometown.

Over the next few days, Shelby didn't reach out to me once.

Instead, she flooded her social media with photos of her outdoor trips with Chase.

They looked sickeningly sweet, posing together just like a real couple in love.

"Shelby is the best! She knows how much I love hiking, so she promised to take me every single week!"

Chase left that comment right beneath her post, knowing damn well I would see it.

Staring at Shelby's radiant, carefree smile in the pictures, I saved the photo to my phone with masochistic resolve.

I whispered to myself that it was truly time to let go.

Since she didn't give a damn about me, why should I keep torturing myself?

Right then, my lawyer messaged me with the finalized divorce paperwork.

He had worked fast, and everything was drafted cleanly according to my instructions.

After verifying the terms, I was about to text Shelby when her message popped up first.

"Finally ready to admit you were wrong? Come home tonight. Chase is hosting a dinner party, and we're short a cook."

"As long as you cater to the guests and keep everyone happy, I'll let what happened last time slide."

She genuinely believed I was coming back to crawl at her feet, barking orders at me like before.

I took a deep, shaky breath, my emotions swirling into a bitter knot.

Years ago, I didn't know how to cook a single dish.

When Shelby suffered from chronic stomach ulcers, I spent months studying recipes online just to make sure she ate healthy.

Back then, she held my hand with tears in her eyes, making me promise I would only ever cook for her.

Now, she was demanding I serve as a personal chef for her lover and their friends.

"Hurry up and reply! Stop wasting my time, it's annoying!"

Her follow-up text pinged aggressively, and I closed my eyes in resignation.

"Fine. I'll come over and cook for you guys."