Chapter 2

It was so late that I had to wait on the curb for a long time to get an Uber.

The moment we walked through the front door, Zach called.

His voice was filled with harsh accusation. "Why didn't you follow us? Do you have any idea how long I’ve been looking for you?"

I put the sleeping Lily onto her bed and lowered my voice. "When you guys left, I was in the restroom taking a call."

"What call could be that important?"

"My lawyer."

He paused. "What lawyer?"

"My divorce lawyer."

The line went dead silent.

After a long pause, he finally spoke. "What are you throwing a tantrum for now?"

"Zach, I'm not throwing a tantrum. I’ve signed the papers. I’ll give them to you tomorrow."

"Are you insane? You're divorcing me over a stupid mistake?"

"It’s not a stupid mistake. Today is Lily's birthday. She’s been looking forward to your gift since last month. But you never care."

He didn't say another word and hung up.

I sat by Lily’s bed, watching her peaceful face.

She rolled over, mumbling in her sleep, "Daddy... birthday..."

I tucked her in, and tears finally ran down my face.

Actually, when we first got married, Zach was incredibly sweet to me.

He always chose restaurants I liked and bought me clothes that suited me.

When we got married, I remarked that the rented wedding dress was so beautiful. He went ahead and bought it, saying we would wear it again on our anniversary.

When I was pregnant, he never let me lift a finger.

When I craved mango crêpes in the middle of the night, he drove across the city to find them for me.

Once I casually mentioned I wanted jasmine tea. I forgot about it minutes later, but he soon handed me a bottle, wiping sweat from his forehead, making sure it was room temperature so it wouldn't hurt my stomach.

But just last month, he mistakenly thought the wedding dress was a rental we forgot to return. Claiming it took up too much space in the closet, he threw it away.

In its place was a box of expensive jewelry.

He said Maya’s birthday was in six months, and he was buying her gifts in advance.

I stared at the box for a long time before nodding.

His memory was indeed amazing.

Every single piece in that box was exactly what Maya liked.

In his mind, Maya’s preferences could be stored forever.

But I was just a passing guest. I had my time, and now I had to leave.

The next afternoon, Zach came home with Maya, laughing and talking.

Maya was holding two cups of drinks. She smiled as she walked in. "Chloe, we passed by the cafe and grabbed some smoothies for you and Lily."

Lily was playing with her Legos in the living room. She looked up, then looked back down.

Maya handed a cup to Lily. "Lily, look what I got for you. Try it."

Lily shook her head. "That has mango in it. I can't drink that. It makes me break out in really itchy hives."

Zach snapped from behind, "Look at how you've raised her, Chloe. She’s scared of eating anything."

Maya gasped. "Oh my god, I am so sorry! I totally forgot Lily is allergic to mangoes."

Zach patted her shoulder. "It’s fine. If she won't drink it, you can have it."

Maya took the cup back and started drinking it herself.

I watched them, staying silent.

Lily pulled on my shirt, whispering, "Mommy, did I say something wrong?"

I knelt down and told her, "No, baby. You did perfectly."

Zach stood up and looked at me. "Chloe, we need to talk. Privately."

"There’s nothing to talk about."

"What is your problem? It was just one forgotten birthday!"

"Zach, you knew yesterday was her birthday, and you didn't even bother to buy a card."

"I can change."

"You said that four years ago."

Maya whispered from the side, "Chloe, Zach really knows he messed up. Just forgive him this once."

I looked at her cold. "This is between my husband and me."

Maya lowered her head, her eyes welling with tears.

Zach sighed and grabbed Maya’s arm. "Let's go."

As they reached the door, Zach turned around. "Chloe, I’ll talk to you later."

The door shut.

Lily looked up at me. "Mommy, Daddy left again. When is he coming back?"

I didn't know how to answer her.