Chapter 3

I opened the plastic bag. Inside lay a pink pad covered in a thick layer of dust—clearly a brand that couldn't sell, randomly bought from a roadside convenience store.

"If you really didn't have any, you could've borrowed one from someone. Why did you have to hole up at school refusing to come out, making me wait for you for a whole hour?"

"Hurry up and go change, then get in the car. Don't get it dirty."

He kept talking on and on. I looked at his beautifully shaped thin lips and only felt utterly exhausted.

I closed the plastic bag and said weakly,

"Luke, I can't use this brand."

To be precise, I couldn't use any mainstream pads on the market because they all had adhesive backing, and I was severely allergic to glue. Even touching it would make my whole body turn red.

Much less during my most vulnerable time, sticking something with glue to my most private area.

So I only used one specific brand—the only one I could use.

Actually, when I first got together with Luke, I'd mentioned this.

"Luke, I'm allergic to glue and can only use this one brand of pads. If you see it on sale, remember to stock up for me, okay?"

Luke didn't even look up from his game, scoffing.

"So high maintenance."

My fingers froze on my phone screen. I forced out an ugly smile.

"Sorry, I'll stock up myself. This is kind of troublesome, and you don't really understand..."

He always spoke to me like this, occasionally like he was wielding a club, beating down on me without warning, leaving me hurt and at a loss.

But aside from this, he was actually pretty good to me. After we moved in together, he did all the housework and cooked well, even fattening me up by five pounds.

Whatever I wanted to buy, he wouldn't stop me. Even when I brought home weird decorations that didn't match his home's style at all, he'd just smile helplessly at most.

"Childish."

Over time, I thought that was just his personality—he didn't like remembering other people's habits and could be pretty cutting sometimes.

Moreover, I was the one who pursued Luke first, so I used the occasional sweetness he gave me to dilute the pain, enduring like this for three years.

Until I endured all the way to today, when I couldn't endure anymore.

"Why can't you use it?"

He'd asked me this question seventeen times. I'd explained sixteen times. This time, I wasn't going to explain anymore. I just casually tossed the pad in the trash and said flatly,

"If I say I can't use it, I can't use it. Since you're afraid I'll dirty your car, I'll just take a cab home."

His frown deepened, but in the end he still opened the car door and stuffed me into the passenger seat.

"It's too late. Would it be safe for you to take a cab? Forget it, just my bad luck. I'll go wash the car tomorrow."

Again, this mix of good and bad.

I gripped the seatbelt in front of me, my throat tight.

I simply took out my phone and contacted the wedding photo company we'd booked long ago.

【Hello, I'd like to cancel the wedding photoshoot scheduled for next week. What procedures do I need to follow?】

The contact I'd labeled "Wedding Photoshoot" kept switching between her name and "typing..." over a dozen times before she finally sent a message.

【Miss Jennifer, three days ago you changed your wedding photos to a couple's birthday art photos, and Mr. Luke contacted us to move up the shoot. The edited photos will be ready tonight.】

【Your husband didn't tell you?】

My fingertip hovered over the screen. After a long moment, I realized it was shaking badly. I used my other hand to hold my wrist so I wouldn't drop the phone.

I turned to glance at Luke. He looked straight ahead, driving seriously, everything like before.

Perhaps sensing my gaze, Luke tilted his head slightly, his tone unfriendly.

"Why are you looking at me? Can't handle being criticized a little?"

I didn't respond. Once my hands steadied again, I slowly typed.

"Can I see the photos?"

The shop owner went through the typing motion several times again before sending the photos, along with a ten-second video.

【At the time, your husband repeatedly assured us he wouldn't cause us trouble, so we agreed to the change and early shoot. Miss Jennifer, please don't make things difficult for us...】

I had no mind to read what else she sent. I opened the photos, and a familiar face appeared in my pupils, stinging my eyes red.

The person in the photo was Ivy, the school's new intern teacher—the same person Luke had given pads and painkillers to.

There were many photos. I flipped through them one by one. Luke appeared in every single one. The two wore matching outfits, looking like an intimate couple.

Finally, I clicked on the video.

Ivy seemed a bit tired from the shoot and pouted in complaint.

"My shoulders hurt so much. Luke, help me rub them."

In those short ten seconds of video, I saw another side of Luke—incredibly gentle in a way I couldn't believe.

"Alright, you little princess. Just one more set of photos. Hang in there a bit longer, and I'll treat you to a big meal after."

Only then did Ivy smile again, happily raising both hands.

"Yay!"

My eyes felt sore. I reached up to touch them, thinking I'd feel salty tears, but there was nothing. I couldn't cry over Luke anymore.

It just made me remember some things.