Chapter 2

2.

Stella came into the bedroom later that night after getting Silas settled.

I was already in bed, staring at the ceiling.

As she climbed under the covers, I caught a glimpse of her neck.

There was a bright red mark right there. It was like Silas was laughing at me through her skin.

If this were last month, I would have blown up. I would have screamed until my lungs hurt.

I used to hurt myself just to hurt them back.

But now, I just looked back at my phone.

Stella seemed surprised by my coldness.

She opened her mouth to speak, but her eyes finally landed on the heavy cast on my leg.

A flash of panic crossed her face.

"Jace, is that... is that from the accident?"

I was reading some work documents and didn't answer right away.

She repeated herself, sounding more patient than usual.

I finally looked at her. The irony was almost funny.

She could see a microscopic scratch on Silas, but she hadn't noticed my broken leg for hours.

I let out a short, dry laugh. "Yeah. It is."

Stella looked guilty. She looked at me with a hint of pity.

It was surprising, but that was all.

I went back to my phone.

Suddenly, she started explaining herself.

"I didn't realize it was that bad. When you called me that day, I thought you were just trying to start drama. I didn't mean to ignore you..."

This was the first time in two years she had ever explained herself to me.

But I didn't care. I didn't even hear the rest of what she said.

My silence made her feel awkward. Her pride was starting to sting.

"When is your next doctor's appointment? I'll go with you."

I was trying to think of a way to say no when her phone buzzed.

Silas's shaky voice came through the speaker.

"Stella? I... I can't sleep. The bed feels weird. Can you come stay with me?"

"If Jace is busy, then just forget it..."

Stella was out of bed in a heartbeat. Her voice was pure honey.

"It's okay, Silas. I didn't realize you had trouble sleeping in new places. I'm coming."

She didn't even look back as she left the room.

Can't sleep in a new bed?

I laughed out loud.

Silas had sent me dozens of photos of them in different hotel rooms.

He slept just fine in those beds.

Only Stella would believe such a pathetic lie.

But they deserved each other. I was actually glad she was gone so I could sleep.

I didn't lie awake wondering what they were doing. I slept like a baby.

When I woke up, I found a photo from Silas sent at 3 AM.

It was a close-up of Stella's skin, covered in marks from their night together.

I felt a sting of pain, but I suppressed it. I saved the photo as evidence for the divorce.

I checked the time and realized I was late for my meeting with the lawyer.

I struggled into my clothes, trying to be quick.

Stella walked out of the kitchen and stopped me.

"Jace, where are you going so early? Come have breakfast first."

I stared at her in shock.

In five years of marriage, she had never made me breakfast.

The only time she cooked was years ago when I was sick.

After that, she refused to step foot in the kitchen for me.

But she would cook anything Silas wanted.

Silas walked out behind her, looking smug.

"Come eat, Jace! Stella's cooking is amazing. I love it."

"I'm so lucky she does whatever I ask."

Stella looked unusually embarrassed.

I looked at the plates on the table and smiled.

"No thanks. You guys enjoy."

Stella frowned. "You used to beg me to cook for you. Why the change of heart?"

I gave her a polite, cold smile.

"Stella, I'm allergic to eggs."

The table was covered in omelets and French toast soaked in egg batter.

I grabbed my keys and walked out before she could say another word.