Chapter 3

3

I came home that evening to find her sitting on the sofa.

She looked a bit tipsy and was rubbing her stomach, frowning in pain.

I ignored her and headed toward the guest room.

"Gabriel," she called out. "My stomach hurts. Can you massage it for me?"

I replied coldly, "Take some medicine if you're sick."

Her tone softened immediately.

"Babe, you know medicine doesn't work for my stomach. You used to always make it feel better."

"It really hurts. Please, honey."

Hearing her call me "honey" in that soft voice made my heart waver.

She worked hard in the business world, which meant a lot of drinking.

Her chronic stomach issues always flared up after a night out.

In the past, I would have pulled her into my arms.

I would have rubbed my hands together until they were warm and massaged her gently.

I would stay like that until she fell asleep.

But this time, I didn't warm my hands.

I thought about how I had nursed her back to health, only for her to jump into Silas's bed.

The thought was like a needle to my heart.

I placed my ice-cold hands directly onto her skin.

I wanted her to feel how cold my heart had become.

She jumped and cried out. "Why are your hands so cold?"

I looked at her blankly. "Do you want the massage or not? If not, I'm going to bed."

She sat up and looked at me intensely.

"Gabriel, you weren't like this before."

I let out a bitter laugh. "People change, don't they? Like you. You used to love me passionately."

My words seemed to trigger a memory.

Her expression softened, and she reached out to take my hand.

"It's not that I don't love you. You've always had a place in my heart. But Silas is different. He's an obsession I can't let go of."

"Just wait for me. One day, I'll move past it. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

I shook my head in disappointment and went to my room.

"One day" felt like a lifetime away.

The next day was our wedding anniversary.

Usually, I was the one planning everything―the gifts, the dinner, the surprises.

This year, I felt nothing.

When I finished work, I walked out of the hospital feeling numb.

Suddenly, a luxury sports car pulled up in front of me.

Seraphina stepped out, looking radiant with a sweet smile on her face.

"Happy anniversary. I made a reservation at a great restaurant. I'm here to pick you up."

I stared at her, confused.

I didn't understand why she was trying so hard to please me now.

It would have been easier for her if I just left.

Then she could be with Silas openly.

For a split second, I wondered if I was wrong.

Maybe she did still love me.

Maybe she had just lost her way and was trying to save our marriage.

I had planned to give her the divorce papers tonight, but my heart softened once again.