Chapter 4

Caleb quickly tried to smooth things over by cooking his signature dinner.

He only knew how to make a handful of specific dishes, and whenever he cooked, it was always the exact same menu.

That was why I recognized the meal in Serena’s Instagram post instantly.

Soon, the table was set with the exact same food.

I rarely let Caleb cook in the past. He used to plead with me: "You've done so much for me. Cooking for you is the only way I can repay you!"

Only then would I let him into the kitchen.

To protect his pride and out of my love for him, I always smiled and said it tasted amazing.

The truth was, I hated bland food.

When he placed the last plate down, he looked up at me with an eager smile.

In the past, whenever we argued, he would cook this meal and give me that puppy-dog look, and my resolve would melt. I would forgive him every time.

Not anymore.

I didn't touch a single bite. I pushed my chair back and stood up.

"Caleb, do you really think making one meal erases what you did?"

His expression instantly soured. I knew his real nature all too well.

He had zero patience when it came to apologizing; one failed attempt, and he would throw a fit. I had indulged his childish temper for far too long.

I was done indulging him.

Anger flared in his eyes, hot enough to swallow me whole.

Without another word, he snatched his phone, made a call, and slammed the front door shut behind him.

The next morning, the doorbell rang.

I opened the door to find Serena clinging tightly to Caleb’s arm on my porch.

The sight made a surge of bile rise in my throat.

Leaning into Caleb's shoulder, Serena looked at me with fake concern dripping from her voice:

"Chloe, are you feeling okay?"

"You really need to be careful with your health. That was your third miscarriage, after all... you definitely can't afford a fourth."

The gloating in her voice was unmistakable. Caleb just stood there, gazing down at her with the exact same tender look he used to give me.

I remembered when someone left a mildly rude comment under my social media post years ago, Caleb tracked them down until they issued a public apology.

Now, he just watched another woman insult me in my own doorway.

I looked at Caleb—at the face I had loved for ten whole years.

Five years in this marriage, sacrificing my health, pouring everything I had into pulling him out of the gutter.

And in return, I didn't even get a single word of concern about my condition.

The last spark of love in my eyes died out, replaced by chilling disgust.

I barred the door and scoffed:

"How my body is doing is none of your damn business."

"Keep your fake pity to yourself. I don't need a pair of cheating scumbags checking up on me!"

Caleb blew up immediately.

He pulled away from Serena, pointing an accusatory finger in my face:

"What the hell is wrong with you, Chloe? Cheating scumbags?"

"I've told you a hundred times, we're just friends! There’s nothing dirty going on like you imagine!"

"And what do you mean it's none of my business? Aren't we husband and wife?!"

Listening to his righteous indignation, I almost laughed out loud.

"Do you need me to hire a private investigator to pull the hotel security footage from two nights ago?"

"Or do I need to hold up the used condoms left on the bedroom floor before you shut up?"

"'Just friends'? Don't you feel pathetic saying that out loud?"

Exposed, Caleb lunged forward as if he wanted to hit me.

Before he could touch me, Serena pulled him back, stepping in with her signature innocent routine.

"Caleb, please calm down! Chloe just got out of the hospital, her hormones must be all over the place after the surgery."

"Don't lower yourself to her level. Don't let her upset you."

She turned to me, a smug smirk dancing on her lips. "And Chloe, he just missed one hospital visit. Don't you think you're being a little petty over something so minor?"

Caleb spat on the ground in disgust, glaring at me:

"I think that miscarriage ruined your brain. You’ve gone completely insane! Go rot inside by yourself!"

"Now get out of the way and let me in!"

I didn't move an inch. I just looked directly into his eyes:

"Did you know I almost died on that operating table?"

Caleb scowled impatiently.

"There were dozens of doctors and nurses in that room! You were never going to die!"

"Serena only had me! If I didn't go, she would have jumped!"

"Why do you have to be so damn petty? Why do you always cling to these tiny things?"

"If you had even half of Serena's kindness, maybe our marriage wouldn't be this miserable!"

So, he knew. He knew the surgery was life-threatening. He knew I had barely survived.

He knew everything. He just didn't give a damn.

His words stabbed into my chest like serrated blades, ripping my heart to shreds.

There was nothing left between us except divorce.

I had fought for this love for ten years, only to end up here.

I took the signed divorce papers out and shoved them hard against his chest.

Silently, I spoke to the System in my head:

System, I'm tired. Take me away.