Chapter 3

A few days later, a mutual friend from the company sent me a message.

[Darlene, why didn't you attend the company's celebration party? Without you there, Maggie, that witch, looked so smug...]

I sat alone in front of the computer. The glow of the screen illuminated my pale face as a torrent of emotions surged through me.

The video of Jeremy's company celebration felt like a sharp needle, piercing through the fragile calm I had desperately tried to maintain.

In the video, he smiled so brightly, clinking glasses with his employees. That hearty laugh, that confident demeanor of a leader, I used to be so proud of him. But now, it all felt unbearable to watch.

Especially, the moment he shielded Maggie from drinking too much, my heart took a crushing blow, leaving me gasping for air.

I still vividly remember that suit.

It was the one I carefully picked out for him on our wedding anniversary, brimming with joy, believing it symbolized our love.

Now, that very suit on his body had turned into evidence of his closeness with another woman.

I closed my eyes, trying to erase those images from my mind, but tears betrayed me, slipping silently onto the cold keyboard.

I opened Maggie's social media. Her posts were filled with gratitude toward Jeremy.

There was also that photo of him and Maggie together. Maggie was closely leaning against him, her head resting on Jeremy's shoulder, while Jeremy's hand was gently placed on Maggie's waist. Both of them had happy smiles on their faces.

But to me, it was so glaringly painful.

At that moment, I seemed to see the truth of our marriage.

He was no longer my rock but had become someone else's safe harbor. My heart turned completely cold.

Taking a deep breath, I resolved not to run away anymore.

I reached out to a divorce lawyer and scheduled a consultation.

I knew this would be the hardest step of my life.

But I had to take it, for myself, and for the person I once was, the one who had once dreamed of love with such hope.

As I was lost in thought about the impending divorce, the phone suddenly rang, breaking my trance.

The screen lit up with Jeremy's name, surprising and confusing me.

"Why is he calling now?" I thought.

"Jeremy?" I answered, trying to keep my voice calm.

"Darlene, we're having a company retreat, and I'd like you to join."

His tone carried a faint trace of tenderness as if nothing unpleasant had ever happened between us.

"A company retreat?"

I paused, then let out a cold laugh. "Mr. Sisto, I don't think there's any need for me to attend such events anymore, is there?"

"Darlene, I know there have been some misunderstandings between us. I hope this retreat can give us a chance to talk."

His voice sounded unusually sincere.

I hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed.

Perhaps this would be the last chance to understand his heart and let myself finally give up.

On the day of the company retreat, I dressed up intentionally. Not for him, but for myself.

When I walked into the venue, all eyes turned to me, including Jeremy's.

He walked over and introduced me openly as his wife.

At that moment, I felt like I was back in the past, but the cracks in my heart could no longer be mended.

During the game, he tried to get me involved.

But Maggie's appearance shattered all the harmony. She purposely lost the game, then provocatively looked at me and demanded that I drink.

I knew this was her tactic, her provocation.