Chapter 2

His voice came muffled through the wood.

I didn't move from the bed.

"Chloe, open the door."

I still didn't move.

The doorknob turned, and he walked in.

He stood by the edge of the bed, looking down at me.

"Don't you think you're overreacting?"

I sat up and leaned against the headboard.

"Overreacting?"

"You want a divorce just because I brought someone breakfast? Don't you think you're being ridiculous?"

I looked at his face. This was the man I had lived with for five years, yet he suddenly looked like a complete stranger.

"You think this is ridiculous?"

"Isn't it? It's literally just breakfast. I didn't cross any lines."

"Then what do you consider crossing the line?" I asked him, my voice dangerously calm. "Sleeping with her?"

He frowned. "What are you talking about? She is just a coworker."

"A coworker who has been eating your home-cooked breakfast for three years?"

"She has a terrible stomach. Eating takeout makes her sick. I was already making food, so I just made an extra portion for her. It was convenient."

"Convenient?" I let out a dry laugh. "You woke up an hour early every single day just because it was 'convenient'?”

“You cut up fresh fruit and arranged them beautifully for her because it was 'convenient'? You remembered exactly what she likes and dislikes because it was 'convenient'?"

He went dead silent.

I continued, "You made her breakfast for three years, Ethan. You have never, not once, made breakfast for me. Not even a single piece of toast."

"That's because... there wasn't enough time in the morning."

"Not enough time? If you woke up an hour early anyway, you couldn't have made a double portion? Why didn't you?"

He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

"Because you didn't think I was worth the effort." I finished the sentence for him.

"In your mind, I wasn't worth your precious sleep. I wasn't worth the effort to remember what I like to eat. I wasn't worth the beautiful plating, the fresh-cut fruit, or the extra care."

"If you want to think of it that way, there's nothing I can say."

"Look at you. You can't even bother to make up a decent lie anymore."

He took a deep breath, trying to soften his tone.

"Fine. I admit I was in the wrong for that. But I only brought her food. You, on the other hand, went out on an actual date with another man today. Those are two completely different things."

"How are they different?"

"She and I are just coworkers. What is your deal with that guy? Liam has been chasing you for two years. Everyone in your office knows it! You had lunch with him today—are you just trying to get back at me?"

"Get back at you?" I tilted my head. "I just had a friendly lunch with a colleague. We are strictly professional. Don't overthink it."

His face twisted.

He must have found those words incredibly familiar.

"You..."

"What about me?"

"You're doing this on purpose just to piss me off!"

"Am I?" I stared at him. "You said it yourself, it's just a meal. Why can't you handle me having lunch with a coworker when you've been playing chef for another woman for three years?"

"I told you, she is just a coworker!"

"And I told you, he is just a coworker. The restaurant he took me to was amazing, by the way. We’re planning to go back next week."