Chapter 2

2.

Just as I left the gallery, my mentor called me.

He was incredibly excited, asking if my message was for real.

"I'm serious," I told him.

"If I flake out this time, you can have my head on a silver platter."

Marcus had started a professional esports team three years ago.

He had invited me to be their lead data analyst back then.

It had always been my dream.

But for Tatiana, I had rejected him without a second thought.

I genuinely believed she couldn't survive without me.

I thought I was the only man she could tolerate in her world.

I even stopped hanging out with friends, worried that if I wasn't home, she'd have a panic attack she couldn't handle.

Now I realized I was only ever moving myself with my sacrifices.

Eventually, after Marcus kept asking, I agreed to do remote data analysis for them after major tournaments.

"We've always kept a spot for you. Analysts with your talent are rare," Marcus said. "You're welcome anytime."

He paused, then asked tentatively, "You rejected me because of Tatiana. So why now…?"

I stayed silent for a few seconds before being honest. "I'm divorcing her."

Marcus didn't pry. After we hung up, he texted me.

"Flowers bloom for the sun. People should always look forward."

I replied with an emoji and went to take a shower.

When I stepped out, drying my hair, Justin was helping a drunken Tatiana through the door.

He had a smug, triumphant grin on his face when he saw me.

"Sorry, Tati was so happy she overdid it. I thought I should bring her home."

Tatiana looked at me with blurry eyes and said naturally, "Kaelen, stay away from me."

That was the phrase I heard most from her every day.

If I tried to get even an inch closer, she would frown and snap at me.

I looked at Justin's hand wrapped around her waist and laughed at myself.

"She sleeps in that room. Take her there yourself."

Justin's eyes glowed with arrogance, but his voice stayed fake-polite.

"Tati and I have known each other a long time. That's why she doesn't reject me. Don't take it personally."

I didn't answer. I just went into the guest room and shut the door.

In five years, we hadn't shared a bed once. No hand-holding, no hugging. Nothing.

I once joked that I had married a wife but was living like a monk.

Tatiana had frowned, her voice cold with annoyance.

"If you can't handle it, we can get a divorce."

Back then, I thought I had triggered her trauma and apologized profusely.

Now I understood that she probably meant it.

I stared at the moonlight outside, unable to sleep.

Suddenly, an email notification popped up.

Marcus had sent me videos of the new recruits. He added, "It's time for you to shine."

I opened my laptop and started analyzing the footage frame by frame.

By the time I lay back down, three hours had passed.

My brain was too tired to think about her anymore, and I fell into a deep sleep.