Chapter 2

The cold wind stung.

But it didn't cut as deeply as Jared's words before I left. "She keeps finding excuses to throw tantrums, just wanting me to buy her things to make her happy. This time, she's probably after that LV bag she saw last week. I'm already exhausted from lab work, barely able to speak, and I still have to force a smile and grovel to please her. Diana, if only Kathy were half as understanding as you."

All this time, his apologies, his concessions, his gifts-they weren't sincere. They were forced by me.

But wasn't I exhausted too?

Why was I even angry?

On my birthday, he left me alone at the restaurant with a casual "my students need me."

On our anniversary, he stayed out all night without a word of explanation.

When I had a fever of 104 degrees, his phone was always busy.

And somehow, this made me the unreasonable one.

Dazed, I checked into a hotel. My phone pinged with a friend request.

The profile picture showed Diana in the lab, circling Jared with her finger, her smile radiant. "Mrs. Cooper, Professor's drunk and keeps saying your name. Can we do a video call?"

After loving him for so many years, I couldn't help but soften.

I hit the connect button.

In the blurry video, Jared mumbled over and over.

"Baby, don't go. Stay."

It was like a bucket of ice water dumped over me, chilling me to the bone.

Jared never called me baby. He always used my name.

The "baby" he was begging to stay was the one he couldn't let go of tonight-Diana Riley.

I didn't say a word. My hands shook as I ended the call.

My mind buzzed with static.

I hugged my knees and didn't sleep a wink until dawn.

Once I had the divorce papers in hand, I didn't waste a second. I rushed back home.

Jared was clumsily carrying two plates of breakfast, the smell of eggs filling the air.

In seven years of marriage, he'd never stepped foot in the kitchen. And he knew I was allergic to eggs.

Those two breakfasts were clearly for him and Diana.

Diana shuffled out of the master bedroom, rubbing sleepy eyes, wearing Jared's T-shirt with nothing underneath. She saw me and said with an innocent smile. "Mrs. Cooper, you're back! I decided not to go to the dorm last night, so I didn't have clothes to change into. Professor lent me his shirt. You don't mind, do you?"

Jared scratched his head, his tone apologetic. "I didn't know you'd be back now. I'll make you a breakfast without eggs. Next time, just let me know in advance."

I swallowed my anger and shot back. "I need to schedule an appointment to come home now? So you two can clean up the mess from last night's sex?" If I don't see it, I'm supposed to pretend you didn't sleep together, all pure and innocent?"

He exploded again. "What are you blabbering about? Do you know how much this could ruin Diana's reputation? Can you take responsibility for that? Last night, Diana took care of me all night. I made breakfast to thank her, and you come in accusing her instead of being grateful!"

So last night's rage wasn't just the alcohol. This time, too, it was all for Diana.

He used to hate even raising his voice at me.

Tears fell before I could stop them.

He panicked, fumbling to wipe my tears away. "I'm sorry, Kathy, I didn't mean to yell. You just went too far, and I lost my temper. How about I get you that LV bag you wanted? Forgive me."

Another forced apology?

I slapped his hand away and placed the divorce papers, signed with my name, on the table. "Sign it."