Chapter 2

2

While the nurses changed my bandages, a heavy rainstorm broke out over the city.

I waited by the hospital lobby for four long hours like an idiot.

In the end, I had to limp home through the pouring rain all by myself.

The woman who promised to pick me up never showed up.

The moment I stepped inside the house, I opened social media and saw Luke's latest post.

"Even when the city is drowning in rain, someone will always drive you home."

The attached picture showed the rain-streaked car window, reflecting Rowena and him sitting close together.

Scrolling down, there were several more intimate photos.

Just as I sneered and prepared to block both of them, the front door was violently kicked open.

"Do you think making a fool of me is funny, Cole?"

"Do you have any idea how bad the traffic was in this storm?"

"Why the hell didn't you wait for me at the hospital?"

I stared at Rowena's furious face, completely stunned.

Did I not wait?

I waited for four agonizing hours, and what did I get?

"Wait for you so you could pick me up with Luke in the front seat?"

I struggled to stand up, leaning heavily against the wall.

The fresh dressings on my leg had soaked through with rainwater, and the wound throbbed with a burning ache.

My whole body swayed from exhaustion.

"The cabs were completely booked because of the storm, so I gave Luke a ride home from the office!"

"You are a grown man, Cole! Can you think about anything other than your pathetic jealousy?"

Rowena threw a battered bakery box onto the floor by my feet.

"I went to so many places just to buy your favorite cake."

"If I knew you would act like this, I would have thrown it in the trash!"

I looked down at the crushed box and nodded slowly.

"You probably should have thrown it away."

I had already seen that exact cake on Luke's timeline earlier.

"Won first place in the mall couples challenge! What amazing chemistry we have."

The photo showed Rowena and Luke locked in a tight embrace, with the prize cake tossed carelessly on a bench beside them.

"What are you talking about, Cole?"

I held up my phone and shoved Luke's post right in front of her face.

Rowena stared at the photo of them hugging, her mouth opening and closing without a sound.

"Throw the cake out. I am tired."

Ignoring her attempts to explain, I turned around and limped into the guest room.

She had kicked me out of our master bedroom six months ago.

Looking back now, our marriage had started rotting from the inside out back then.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Just as I took some antibiotics and lay down, heavy knocking rattled the door.

"Cole, it is not what it looks like!"

"Look, I promise I will make up our anniversary tomorrow, no matter what happens!"

Rowena's voice pleaded through the wood.

I put on my noise-canceling headphones, locked the door, and closed my eyes.

I was completely done with this miserable life.

I texted a close lawyer friend from college to draft the divorce papers first thing in the morning.

To my shock, Rowena actually hired a locksmith to pick the door open in the middle of the night.

"Babe, are you still mad at me?"

She crawled onto the edge of my bed, speaking with a rare, gentle tone.

"Do not be angry anymore. I promise I will give you an unforgettable anniversary celebration tomorrow."

"Get some rest now. I will wake you up before we leave tomorrow afternoon."