Chapter 2

2

Audrey finally got home in the middle of the night.

She noticed the lights in the house were completely off.

For ten years, whenever she had late work dinners, I would wait up for her with red eyes.

I always prepared a hangover remedy and her favorite midnight snacks.

However, Audrey never saw this as an act of love.

She frequently stayed out all night.

When I called her out of worry, she would call me annoying and say I wasn't acting like a real man.

"Leo, are you feeling sick?"

Walking into the bedroom, Audrey actually showed a rare hint of concern.

She reached out, trying to check my forehead for a fever.

I easily dodged her touch and frowned calmly.

"I'm fine. It's late, go take a shower."

The smell of alcohol and cheap smoke on her made my stomach turn.

Audrey sat down next to me and glared coldly at her phone.

Not a single missed call.

How strange.

Usually, I would ruin her mood while she drank with clients.

I used to text her constantly, begging her not to drink too much and to call an Uber.

Audrey cleared her throat and looked at me.

"Tonight's dinner was crucial for the school's upcoming events, so I couldn't skip it. I promise to eat with you tomorrow. Are you happy now?"

Hearing this, I gave a helpless half-smile.

"No need! Just focus on your work, Audrey."

My genuine understanding was met with a cold, mocking sneer.

"I give you a little attention, and you think you're all high and mighty now, right?"

"Leo, I've been incredibly busy lately," she snapped. "With your pathetic teacher's salary, how are we supposed to live a good life?"

My phone buzzed with an email from my lawyer.

I opened it eagerly while keeping my face entirely blank.

"You're right! You are very busy," I replied smoothly. "But I'm amazed you still found time to accompany your childhood buddy to his workout."

Hearing this, Audrey immediately glared at me with a dark expression.

She insisted that she and Bryce had grown up together.

She claimed she only saw him as a good older brother.

If her brother needed a favor, wasn't it her duty to help?

"Leo, not only are you unambitious, but you're also constantly paranoid about your own wife."

"You really disappoint me."

Before tonight, the word disappoint was Audrey's ultimate weapon.

It was the trigger that forced me to my knees to beg for forgiveness, desperate to prove my love.

But to her surprise, I held my phone and didn't say a single soft word.

Audrey had no idea I was reading the divorce papers sent by my lawyer.

Sensing her leaning closer, I quickly locked my screen.

"Who are you chatting with this late, Leo?"

"No one! I'm tired. We can talk about whatever it is later!"

Bang!

A loud slam echoed through the house.

Angry at my dismissive attitude, Audrey locked herself in the guest room.

This was her classic opening move for the silent treatment.

The old me would have already been kneeling at her door, begging my baby wife to forgive my mistakes.

But tonight, I didn't apologize just to keep the peace.

I printed out a copy of the divorce agreement.

I signed my name and placed it inside my nightstand drawer.

Then, I turned off the light and went to sleep.

Years of an unhappy life with Audrey had given me severe insomnia.

But this time, I slept like a baby.