Chapter 3

My mom called. For years, she had been trying to convince me to go home and apologize to my dad.

I knew he couldn’t stand Chloe, and if I went back, he would definitely demand I divorce her. That’s why I hadn’t returned home all these years.

But this time, I agreed. My mom was shocked by my decision. “You’ve really come to your senses?”

“Yeah.”

During these days in the hospital, Chloe hadn’t visited me once, because she was busy traveling with Asher.

Every day, I saw different scenic photos on Asher’s social media feed.

Before, no matter how much I begged Chloe, she would never travel with me, saying she had to practice piano and couldn’t slack off.

Now it seemed, accompanying Asher was probably the most important thing in her life.

I laughed at myself, then turned off my phone.

When my leg was mostly healed, I was discharged from the hospital. I went back to the small house Chloe and I shared first.

I took out the divorce agreement and placed it on her piano.

She often made time to practice, and she would see the divorce papers right away when she did.

I stared at the divorce papers, a strange anticipation swelling within me. What expression would Chloe have when she saw them?

After all, a *real* divorce was never part of her plan.

I sat blankly on the sofa for I don’t know how long, until the door opened. Chloe was back from her trip.

Asher was with her.

Seeing me, Chloe looked surprised. “Why are you here? We’re already divorced, aren’t we?”

She vigorously gave me a look, wanting me to play along.

“Just came to pack my things.” I didn’t need to play along. Every word was sincere.

Asher looked like he was about to make a scene, so Chloe quickly soothed him, her eyes soft and tender.

Then she snapped at me, “Don’t just come and go from this house anymore! Asher gets upset whenever he sees you. Don’t you know that?”

Her expression didn’t seem fake.

“Chloe, why are his things still everywhere in this house?”

“Isn’t this supposed to be *our* home now?” Asher looked at Chloe with a pitiful expression.

I hadn’t expected her to let Asher live in our marital home. I was actually curious to see what she would do next.

Chloe froze for a few seconds, but her next action chilled me to the bone.

She actually ripped up our wedding photos!

She reached out and tore every single one of our wedding photos, tossing the pieces to the floor. Her movements were swift and decisive, without a hint of hesitation.

Then she rushed into the bedroom and threw my few remaining clothes at me.

“Take your things and get out! Don’t ever let me see you again!”

My mind went blank. I couldn’t think.

It was only when Chloe threw something at me that I was jolted back to reality.

It hit the floor with a crisp sound.

I looked down. It was our wedding ring.

I had taken design classes for two months just to create this ring for her, to give her a perfect proposal experience.

To put on a show, she could go to such lengths. No, at this point, I couldn’t even tell if she was still putting on a show.

“Take your things and get out!” she shrieked in my face.

Asher looked at me with a triumphant smirk, as if he’d won a grand victory.

I stared at that ring for a long time, until my eyes burned.

Finally, I let out a bitter laugh.

“Fine. I’ll have movers come and clear everything out.”

Then I turned and walked away.

And I would never come back.

I drove to my old family home. My mom was already waiting for me at the door.

We hadn’t seen each other in years. The moment she saw me, tears streamed down her face.