Chapter 3

At the dinner, Hailey sat in the seat meant for the lady of the house.

I sat quietly in the corner, watching Ethan carefully peel shrimp and debone fish for her.

Ethan used to treat me like that, too.

He once drove across the city in a snowstorm just because I said I wanted pastries from a bakery uptown.

Because I was afraid of the dark, he would cover my ears during every thunderstorm, holding me tight until I fell asleep.

He had knelt under a sky full of fireworks, holding out a diamond ring.

"Chloe, I will never let you down in this lifetime."

I felt a bit dazed.

I remembered every single detail of our time together, yet I could no longer feel any of the spark.

Maybe, like the system said, only by completely removing my love could I become the perfect spouse.

By the end of the dinner, I still hadn't found a good time to bring up the divorce.

I figured I'd talk to him at home, but Eleanor insisted they stay the night at the estate.

I politely excused myself. Just as I was about to leave alone, Ethan suddenly called out.

"Chloe!"

I turned around, confused. Ethan's head was lowered, his expression unreadable.

He seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he only mumbled, "Drive safe."

I was slightly surprised and, for once, gave him a genuine smile.

As I turned away, I heard Hailey's whiny voice calling Ethan back inside.

"Chloe, what the hell are you trying to do?!"

Late that night, I was startled awake by a raging Ethan.

He kicked the bedroom door open and dragged me out of bed.

"I thought you really changed, but you’re still just as vicious!"

Looking at the sheer disgust in his eyes, I had no idea what was going on.

"What happened?"

Ethan threw a perfume bottle right in front of me, shattering glass everywhere.

"You knew Hailey is pregnant, yet you gifted her such a strong, toxic perfume!"

"You’re still the same jealous, petty bitch!"

The suffocating scent filled the room, making it hard to breathe.

I instinctively covered my nose and mouth.

Ethan knew my respiratory system was weak.

If he bothered to think, he’d realize I never used perfume.

I would never buy such a gift.

But the system flashed:

[Rule of the Perfect Spouse: Never argue with your husband.]

So, I gave up trying to explain.

I struggled to sit up, then quietly knelt down right onto the shattered glass.

Blood soaked my nightgown instantly, mixing with the heavy perfume scent. It was overwhelming.

I lowered my head and apologized submissively. "I'm sorry, Ethan."

"I can go kneel in front of Hailey and apologize. Please don't be angry."

The expected roar didn't come. Instead, Ethan’s voice trembled.

"Are you insane?"

"Chloe, why aren't you defending yourself?!"

I looked up at him, puzzled. "If I did, would you believe me?"

He froze.

Of course he wouldn't.

In the past, I had explained myself countless times, and he had never believed me.

Ethan stared at me in silence.

The anger and confusion in his eyes slowly turned into an unspeakable dread.

He didn't understand why I had suddenly become so submissive.

He didn't understand why the compliance he had always demanded now felt so sickeningly wrong.

And he definitely didn't understand why he could no longer feel an ounce of love from me.

He grabbed my shoulders tightly, calling my name desperately.

"Chloe..."

I forced a perfect, gentle smile. "Yes, I’m here."

Looking at the flawless curve of my lips and my lifeless, calm eyes, Ethan’s agony deepened.

A terrifying realization hit him.

So terrifying that tears pooled in his eyes.

He pulled me into a fierce embrace, as if trying to merge me into his very bones.

I heard his choked sobs.

And I heard his trembling question:

"Chloe, do you love me?"

I remembered how much he used to hate it when I said I loved him.

So, I flashed my most polite, flawless smile, and said every word clearly:

"Of course, just as you wanted. I don't love you."