Chapter 2

Looking at the endless call log on my phone, I just felt ridiculous.

I typed out a message to her: "Since you say this isn't your home, let's get a divorce."

My finger hovered over the send button for a few seconds, but I finally pressed it.

Watching the message deliver, the seven years of frustration weighing on my heart suddenly lifted.

The next morning, I was woken by my phone ringing.

As soon as I answered, Sarah's voice, thick with a hangover and anger, blasted through.

"Leo Knight, it's Christmas, of all days! What are you making a scene about now?"

"It's not like I did anything more than go out for a few drinks. Do you really have to bring up something as heavy as divorce on Christmas?"

"I'm telling you, I'm not divorcing you. And don't be so petty. Lucas's wife never makes a fuss with him."

"Besides, didn't I explain it to you last night? Lucas is only back from abroad for one day. I don't get to see him any other time. What could we possibly be doing?"

"You're just overthinking things, I'm telling you..." I didn't listen to her lengthy explanations, just hung up and got out of bed.

Was I overthinking?

Every Christmas, she'd find all sorts of excuses not to spend it with me.

"Our old family home is too run-down."

"My parents want me this year."

"I absolutely have to go back and see my friends this year."

...

To accommodate her, I'd gone back to her parents' place with her every year for the holidays, leaving my own parents to celebrate alone.

But every year, she'd leave me by myself at her parents' house.

She'd go out to parties alone.

Claiming she was afraid I wouldn't get along with her friends.

There was even one time I waited for her until three in the morning.

I kept calling and texting, but got no response.

Worried something had happened, I sent her a message saying I was coming to look for her.

But just as I stepped out, I ran into Lucas.

He was carrying my drunken wife in his arms. "I was worried Sarah was being plied with too much alcohol, so I brought her back first."

He helped her into my arms, but she clung tightly to him, refusing to let go.

He had to coax her repeatedly before she finally released him.

I never imagined that the next day, she'd chew me out.

"Who told you to interfere? Why were you rushing me? What kind of face did I have left in front of my friends?"

"And making Lucas bring me back? Did you want him to freeze?"

Now I realize that my going to look for her that night was nothing but an interruption to them, which was why she was so furious.

I never thought this year she'd be so blatant.

She just ditched me directly, ran into Lucas's arms, and left my entire family waiting for her.

And even made me listen to them flirting.

Perhaps she'd been like this for seven years; this year, she was just too lazy to even find an excuse.

A call from an unknown number pulled me out of my thoughts.

I answered, and an unfamiliar woman's voice spoke.

"Are you Sarah Miller's husband?"

"Yes."

"I'm Chloe Thorne, Lucas's wife. Let's talk."