Chapter 4

Liam didn't know that on the night of the wedding, as I walked past a nearby jewelry store, the name felt oddly familiar.

Almost as if compelled by an unseen force, I walked in. I showed the sales associate the large red ring on my ring finger and asked about it.

She was a very young sales associate, her face flushed as she spoke. "Oh, this ring? Just last Sunday evening, we were almost closing, and a gentleman rushed in right after getting off a plane to buy it for his wife."

"He must really love his wife, otherwise why would he be in such a hurry?"

"Or was he in such a hurry because he'd done something wrong?" I murmured softly, not sure if I was asking her or myself. She froze, looking awkward.

I turned and left.

*Of course,* I thought. *That's why he suddenly bought a ring. He bought gifts for everyone else on the way home, but forgot me. Maybe he bought it because he felt guilty, and it was an expensive way to smooth things over.*

All my previous warmth and gratitude felt utterly ridiculous.

Those nights, I was terrified countless times. I wanted to tell him, tell him about my illness, to find some warmth that wasn't even there, but it was just my own wishful thinking.

I lay in bed, numbly shedding tears.

The door suddenly opened. Liam pinned me down, kissing my tears. "Avery, what do I have to do to make you stop overthinking?"

A fierce wave of nausea surged up my throat. With a strength I didn't know I had, I violently pushed him away, rushing to the bathroom to throw up.

He looked utterly humiliated. "Avery? What are you doing? Can't I even touch you anymore? How could you treat me like this?"

I ignored him, collapsing weakly to the floor. When I finally found the strength to stand, I splashed cold water on my face. "Let's get a divorce. I'm serious."

He tossed a tissue at me, then turned. "You're dreaming!"

I watched his back as he fled in a panic.

"You will," I muttered to myself.