Chapter 3

I left the shirt and sheets by the door to take to the cleaners tomorrow, then headed back to our bedroom.

Jillian looked up, smiling when she saw me.

"My amazing husband, you took care of that so quickly! That's Jason's favorite shirt—make sure it gets perfectly cleaned."

I nodded and reached for my face mask.

I also grabbed the iPad from the nightstand to watch something.

Jillian was typing furiously on her phone, clearly texting someone.

A notification popped up on my iPad. I tapped it and realized Jillian's iMessages were syncing to my device.

"Jill, you're the best shopper! I haven't had real desserts like these in forever."

"That place always has such a long line. You must have gone through so much trouble."

Jillian glanced at me, then kept typing.

"Glad you liked them. I'll pick up more next time."

"What can I say? You're the best little sister!"

Jason replied right away:

"What about my sheets? Is it really okay to make Liam clean those stains? If he minds, don't worry about it."

Jillian smiled, looking completely smitten.

"It's fine. Stubborn stains need special treatment, and I can't stand the thought of you doing it. He's used to handling this stuff."

I froze, staring at Jillian.

Since we got married, I'd handled every chore around the house—from changing lightbulbs to fixing leaky pipes. No wonder she thought I was "used to it."

I set the iPad down, unable to read another word of their conversation.

After I washed off my mask, Jillian suddenly leaned in and whispered:

"Liam, Jason needs me for something. You get some rest."

I curled up in bed and mumbled a response.

As she put on her jacket, I asked quietly:

"Jillian, if you don't come home tonight, I'm using another Get Out of Jail Free card, okay?"

I looked at her, my voice cracking with sadness.

She didn't even pause while adjusting her collar. She smiled like always:

"Go ahead and use it."

Jillian brushed her hair back, completely unbothered.

"I'll be back soon. You probably won't even need to use that card today!"

Watching her casual attitude, I looked away coldly.

"Okay."

It was 10 PM. She'd said she'd be back soon.

I ordered my favorite dessert from that bakery using a delivery app.

Meanwhile, Jason posted on Instagram, celebrating a date with his girlfriend.

Right then, Jillian texted me:

"Found Jason. Heading back soon."

It was almost midnight.

I pulled up an old post on my phone—the one I made after accepting Jillian's proposal.

I hit "share" to my story.

"Time really flies."

Jillian commented with a heart emoji.

Then she sent me a photo of an office desk.

"Still at work. Miss you."

I closed our chat.

I didn't bother replying.

She must have forgotten I took that photo with her phone last month.

It wasn't even taken today. She was lying to me and trying to pacify me at the same time.

Jason posted another update, like he was sending me a message:

"You promised we'd get married when we grew up. You broke that promise, but said you regretted it."

In the photo, their hands were clasped together—Jillian's small mole on her index finger was clearly visible.

I sat on the couch, watching the proposal video Jillian had made while eating the dessert I'd ordered.

The dessert I used to love tasted empty, flavorless.

Maybe I didn't like it anymore.

And it wasn't just the dessert I'd fallen out of love with.

Jillian didn't send any more messages.

I put my phone on the coffee table and started packing my things.

It was past midnight.

I was about to use the last Get Out of Jail Free card.

My phone suddenly rang. It was Jillian.

"Liam, are you asleep? Don't wait up. Something came up, and I won't be home tonight."

"Go ahead and use the card. I'll bring you dessert tomorrow. I'm busy here, gotta go."

Jillian hung up before I could respond. The dial tone brought me back to reality.

As I put my phone back on the coffee table, I knocked over a cup.

The custom mug we'd made together after getting engaged shattered into pieces.

Maybe it was a sign our relationship should end cleanly too.

I opened my messages and found Jillian's chat.

"I didn't get to tell you earlier, but the Get Out of Jail Free cards are all used up."

"Let's get a divorce."

My phone immediately started blowing up with calls.