Chapter 3

3

Following my new routine, I tapped the like button.

A few minutes later, Trenton's call came through.

After an awkward silence on the line, he spoke up.

"You were busy today, so Vera and I just stopped by Hank's party together on our way."

"Don't read into it."

I found his explanation bizarre. "Oh. Vera knows Hank too, so it makes sense she went."

Trenton paused, clearly unsettled. "You're not mad?"

"It's totally normal between friends. Why would I be mad?" I replied casually.

"Hank is hosting a dinner for us tomorrow night. We're going together," he said hurriedly before hanging up, as if fleeing the conversation.

The next evening, Trenton and I walked into the private dining room at the restaurant.

The room fell instantly silent before the guests quickly resumed their chatter.

Vera was already seated, with an empty chair conveniently saved right next to her.

She stood up with a radiant smile, sidling up beside Trenton as she greeted me.

"Lana! You actually came! Trenton said you're a total homebody, so we didn't invite you before."

"Let me introduce you around―there are probably a lot of people here you haven't met."

Watching her play the hostess, I offered a faint, polite smile and declined, taking an empty seat across the table.

Seeing that I didn't push back, Vera's smile grew even more smug.

Hank finally arrived and loudly expressed his regret that I couldn't make it to the party the day before.

"I'm so glad we can all catch up tonight!"

I knew he was just trying to smooth things over for Trenton.

I smiled politely. "I had something come up yesterday, but I brought a gift for the baby today."

I handed over the wrapped designer baby gift.

Hank looked at me with genuine surprise.

He knew better than anyone how obsessively I used to cling to Trenton, so my detached calmness completely baffled him.

As everyone took their seats, the spot next to Vera was naturally claimed by Trenton.

She doted on him throughout the meal, putting food on his plate while everyone's eyes darted between the three of us.

None of it bothered me. I kept my head down, quietly enjoying my meal.

Trenton glanced at me several times, looking like he wanted to talk, but Vera cut him off every single time until he finally gave up.

Midway through dinner, after a few rounds of liquor, someone at the table got reckless.

"Hey Vera, why aren't you wearing that diamond necklace Trent bid on for you at the auction?"

"I caught you two on that private date last week, by the way! Man, Trent really spends big on you!"

"Shh! Don't let Lana hear, or she'll throw another fit!"

Someone next to him quickly clamped a hand over his mouth, but the damage was done.

The entire room froze in dead silence.

Every set of eyes locked onto me, waiting for the explosion.

Yet I sat there chewing peacefully, entirely unbothered.

Noticing the suffocating tension, I kindly broke the ice.

"Why is everyone staring at me? Keep eating."

I turned to Vera with a pleasant smile. "Show me the necklace sometime. I don't really have anything to give you, but I could always pass down my wedding ring. The size should fit."

The room gasped.

Trenton's face turned white with rage.

He clamped a hand around my wrist and dragged me out into the hallway.

Pushing me into a quiet corner, he gripped my shoulders and hissed, "Lana, do you really have to humiliate me like this?!"

I looked at him calmly. "What did I say wrong? We've known each other for so long―can't I offer her a gift?"

Trenton ground his teeth. "I told you a hundred times, Vera and I are just friends! Stop with the passive-aggressive bullshit!"

"Stop making a scene. Wait outside for me while I say goodbye to Hank, and we'll talk at home."

Assuming my silence meant compliance, he turned and headed back to the dining room.

I watched his retreating figure, turned on my heel, and walked straight out to hail an Uber.

Looking out at the passing city lights, I was reminded of a night a year ago―same restaurant, same humiliating situation.

The only difference was that back then, Trenton had kicked me out into the cold, leaving me shattered.

This time, I was the one walking away first.

Thirty minutes after I got home, Trenton burst through the front door.

He stormed up to me, his eyes blazing with fury. "I told you to wait for me! What the hell do you want from me?!"

"Fine! If you don't give a damn anymore, let's get a divorce!"

"Let's see how well you survive without me, Lana!"

This wasn't the first time he had threatened divorce.

In the past, every time he said those words, I would break down, begging him for forgiveness and doing whatever it took to keep him.

Not this time.

I met his piercing gaze and replied clearly, "Okay."

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