Chapter 2

Pulling my thoughts back together, I packed up the memorial flowers and took a cab to the cemetery where my father was buried.

For the past few days, the city had been drenched in rain, and the temperature had plummeted.

Holding my umbrella, I shivered in the biting wind.

I leaned down slightly and placed the white chrysanthemums on my father's headstone.

"Dad, how are you doing on the other side all these years?"

"Daisy and I have been married for five years now. Overall, life has been pretty good. Don't worry about me. The hardest days are behind us."

Even though I was thoroughly disgusted and disappointed with Daisy, I didn't want to burden my father with the petty, miserable details of my life.

Holding my umbrella, I stood in front of his grave, rambling on for hours.

Only when my throat went completely dry did I slowly start walking home under the rain.

Halfway there, Daisy called.

She spoke with her usual arrogant, demanding tone.

"Liam, come pick me up at the airport. It's raining, and I don't feel like hailing a cab."

I gave a cold laugh.

"I'm at the cemetery. I didn't drive, so I can't pick you up."

Daisy was silent for a few seconds before snapping at me,

"Did you seriously have to go today? I told you I'd go with you tomorrow! What difference does one day make? Why are you always so rigid?"

"Is a dead person really more important than someone living? Do you have any idea how crucial my meeting was today?"

"Daisy, if my dad had pulled you out of the water tomorrow instead of five years ago, do you think you'd still be breathing right now?"

"And if my dad hadn't died that day, the one six feet under would be you. Do you still think it's not important?"

Without waiting for her reply, I hung up.

By the time I walked back to our apartment, the sky was pitch black.

I opened the door and took off my soaked jacket.

Just as I flicked on the living room lights, I was surprised to see Daisy sitting on the sofa, arms crossed, glaring down at me.

I paused for a second, then continued hanging up my clothes as if she weren't there.

Daisy couldn't hold back. Her voice was ice-cold.

"Liam, what the hell did you mean by what you said earlier?"

"Are you wishing death on me? I've stayed by your side for five years. Do you even have a heart?"

Ignoring her, I grabbed a towel from the balcony and walked toward the bathroom.

Daisy took a few quick steps and grabbed my arm.

"Keep playing dumb and see what happens!"

I turned to look at her, my expression completely flat.

"I have nothing to say to you."

The very next second, Daisy slapped me across the face without warning.

Stunned, I held my cheek and stared at her in utter disbelief.

Daisy seemed to realize she had crossed the line. She froze, her face flushing crimson.

"I... I didn't mean to! But you forced my hand!"

"I told you I'd go to the cemetery with you tomorrow! My schedule was packed today. What childish tantrum are you throwing?"

"You stay at home doing nothing all day, and you expect me to be just like you? Maybe you should look in the mirror and reflect on your own problems!"

I let out a soft laugh.

"Were you really working? A friend of mine works at your company. She said you took the whole day off. So where exactly were you?"

"I... I was on a business trip, of course! You think I'd lie to you?"

Caught red-handed, Daisy began to stammer.

Without a word, I stepped straight into the bathroom.

The moment the hot water poured over me, everything seemed to click into place.

Over the past five years, my one-sided endurance had been the only thing keeping this marriage alive.

Daisy had chosen to be with me mostly out of guilt and humanitarian pity. Perhaps she cared for me once, but right now, our relationship was nothing more than a pile of loose sand—the slightest breeze would scatter it away.

I was done walking on eggshells for this kind of love.