Chapter 2

I returned to our quiet house. It was empty and covered in a thick layer of dust.

Taking a deep breath, I cleared a spot on the couch, sat down, and started drafting the divorce papers and the division of assets.

She was a spoiled rich girl; she probably wouldn't care about my modest savings anyway. But I wasn't going to leave her a single penny.

After consulting with a lawyer, I suddenly remembered something. I dug out the manual for the robot we had ordered and began studying its specifications.

With the rapid advancement of AI, humanoid robots had become the latest trend. When Chloe eagerly ordered one, I hadn't objected. I thought it would keep her company when I was busy with work.

Who knew things would turn out like this?

Right then, Chloe's call came in again.

"Have you reflected on your behavior yet? It’s been days. You should have figured out what you did wrong by now."

I stared at the text on the manual for a long time, and a cold, self-deprecating laugh escaped my lips.

Oh, I figured it out, alright.

If you love the wrong person, you have to take your heart back.

"What did I do wrong? Why don't you tell me?"

My cold, indifferent tone caught her off guard. There was a long pause on the other end.

"How dare you speak to me like that?! Ethan Miller, don't think you can throw a tantrum at me just because your brother died!"

No wonder she was shocked. For the past five years, I had always spoken to her in a gentle, pleading voice. I had never shown an ounce of attitude.

I didn't have the right to.

Whenever we had a disagreement, I would swallow my pride. If she was even slightly unhappy, she would yell at me. And even when I did nothing wrong, I would beg for her forgiveness like a dog.

I really was a pathetic, text-book simp.

But starting today, I was done being a doormat.

Seeing that I was silent, Chloe got bolder over the phone.

"I seriously don't get why you’re giving me attitude. If you hadn't been so busy with work, would I have turned to Leo? Honestly, this is all your fault!"

"Ever since he arrived, have you shown him any kindness? He’s so fragile and innocent. He needs our love and care. He and I just... did a few things. Why is that such a big deal?!"

Even through the phone, I could picture her throwing her head back in that arrogant, snobbish way of hers.

A dull, crushing pain squeezed my chest, making it hard to breathe. Thinking of Daniel's lonely death, I clutched my chest, unable to speak.

Five years of marriage, and she had never once stood by my side. She used my love as a weapon to walk all over me. I used to be blinded by love, even enjoying the pain. But Daniel's death tore away the last veil of my self-delusion.

How ironic.

I cleared my throat and said flatly, "Are you done?"

Chloe choked on her words, her voice softening slightly. "Fine, whatever. I’m coming home in a few days. My mom wants us over for dinner. You're coming, right?"

She was offering an olive branch.

She wanted things to go back to how they were—with me being obedient and never complaining.

But I would never let that happen again.

There were too many things to settle. We might as well lay it all out.

With that in mind, I didn't say much and simply replied, "Sure."

Chloe let out a tense, slightly guilty laugh. "Should I pick you up?"

"Sure," I said.

Her usual arrogance was gone, replaced by a sudden, anxious need to please. How amusing.

Don't worry, Chloe. This is only the beginning.