Chapter 3

3

For the next two weeks, Sierra gave me the cold shoulder. Meanwhile, I was bursting with energy and focused on my career. Unable to endure being ignored any longer, she personally baked a dessert and presented it to me.

I tossed it onto the kitchen counter without a second glance, changed my clothes, and prepared to head out.

Sierra rushed after me, desperately trying to explain.

"Babe, Zack really had a medical emergency that day! I only left you in the car because I was trying to help someone. Can you please stop throwing a tantrum?"

"I already called both our parents. I booked a private room at that high-end steakhouse downtown to throw you a proper birthday dinner, okay?"

I paused, then gave a casual nod.

"It is just a dinner. There is no need to make it sound so dramatic. I am not angry, and you do not need my forgiveness."

Sierra said nothing more and drove me straight to the finest restaurant in the city center.

When we arrived, our families were already seated around the long table. Although my in-laws looked at Sierra with slightly awkward expressions, nobody brought up the incident.

The only reason I showed up was to save my parents and in-laws from embarrassment.

The moment we sat down, Sierra's best friend, Maya, leaned forward with a sugary grin.

"Zane, we all had way too much to drink that night, so Sierra and the others just crashed at my place. Please do not get the wrong idea."

"Do not worry, I always keep an eye on your wife for you. I would never let anyone steal her away!"

Looking at her clumsy attempt to cover for Sierra, I almost laughed out loud.

I had heard that exact excuse so many times my ears were numb. Whenever my wife stayed out all night, her squad always provided an airtight alibi.

Who on earth would bring a strange man home just to let him fool around with their married best friend under their own roof?

It made zero sense.

I nodded lightly and smiled.

"Yeah, it is fine. I trust you."

Maya froze, exchanging a bewildered glance with Sierra.

Just then, a server recognized Maya and walked over with a polite greeting.

"Ms. Sutton, Ms. Webb, welcome back! The bottle of vintage Macallan that Mr. Russell ordered for Ms. Webb last weekend is still stored in our cellar. Would you like me to bring it out tonight?"

Sierra's face instantly drained of color, and she looked at me in sheer panic.

I did not want to make things difficult for the server, so I smiled pleasantly.

"Go ahead and uncork it. We are celebrating today, so a few drinks would be great."

The server looked at me, then glanced back at Sierra with an eager smile.

"Ms. Webb, is this handsome gentleman another one of your close friends? Mr. Zack Russell was so generous last time, buying a whole case of high-end scotch for you. Should I prepare another case for tonight?"

Seeing the disaster unfolding, Maya quickly made an excuse and shooed the server away. The atmosphere at the table instantly turned suffocatingly awkward.

Only I remained completely unbothered, picking up my fork to enjoy the food.

"Let's eat, everyone. It is a special night, and I appreciate you all coming out to celebrate my birthday."

Hearing that I made no mention of our wedding anniversary, Sierra furrowed her brows as if she wanted to say something, but she ultimately kept her mouth shut.

By the time the scotch arrived, I was already full. I stepped out to use the restroom, and when I walked back into the private room, I saw Zack sitting in my chair, holding my wife's hand while they laughed together.

The scene before me was disgustingly familiar.

Years ago, shortly after we got married, I saw Zack sitting in my seat, acting inappropriately close with my wife. When I lost my temper and confronted him, Sierra slapped me across the face in front of everyone, calling me narrow-minded and immature.

Today, seeing the exact same scene, I felt absolutely nothing.

I casually told the table that I was exhausted, stood up, and left.

Sierra chased me all the way down to the parking lot, grabbing my arm in a fury.

"Zane Collins, what the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Do you have to humiliate me in front of our families to be satisfied?! You could not even endure it for five minutes in front of our parents?!"

"Zack came here tonight specifically to apologize to you! What is with that disgusting attitude?!"

I glanced at her, finding the whole spectacle pathetic.

"There is no attitude."

"And there is no point anymore."

Infuriated by my utter lack of emotion, Sierra pointed a trembling finger at my face.

"Fine! You want to keep this up forever, don't you?!"

"You are going to cling to this one tiny mistake and never let it go, aren't you?!"

"If that is how you want it, let's just get a divorce!"

Having delivered her ultimate threat, she crossed her arms, lifted her chin, and glared at me through narrowed eyes.

I had lost count of how many times she had threatened me with divorce.

Those words had always been her ultimate weapon. In the past, the second she mentioned divorce, I would swallow my pride, get on my knees, and beg for forgiveness, regardless of who was at fault.

Today, I remained completely unmoved.

"Alright. Let's do it."

Sierra smirked instinctively and started to say, "Good, at least you know your place... Wait, what did you just say?"

I looked at her with unblinking, tranquil eyes.

"I said I agree to the divorce. We are done. Isn't that the answer you wanted?"

Leaving those words behind, I turned around and walked into the cold night, leaving Sierra standing completely alone in the freezing wind.

Everyone has a breaking point, and I was finally exhausted.