Chapter 2

But now, I quietly called my lawyer.

"I need divorce papers prepared," I said. "The sooner, the better."

...

On the day I was discharged from the hospital, I had barely stepped out of the front door when I saw Evan's car parked nearby.

When he noticed me, he looked startled. A flicker of panic crossed his face. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm getting discharged today. Aren't you here to pick me up?" I asked, trying to stay calm.

He hesitated briefly, then forced an awkward smile. "Oh, right. Yes, I'm here to get you."

I climbed into the car, and the moment I sat down, the strong scent of women's perfume overwhelmed me.

Makeup items and handbags were scattered carelessly across the back seat. A black piece of lingerie peeked out from between the passenger seat cushions. It was so blatant that I felt like I couldn't breathe.

Following my gaze, Evan's face immediately darkened. He quickly grabbed the tiny piece of fabric, shoving it hastily into his pocket. "My driver used the car yesterday," he muttered. "That idiot... I'll dock his pay."

The air grew tense and heavy with silence. I kept my head lowered, not saying a word.

Sensing that I seemed upset, Evan reached behind him and handed me a gift bag from the back seat. His voice carried a forced cheerfulness. He was clearly hoping to please me. "Here, a gift to celebrate you leaving the hospital."

I took the bag, and as soon as my fingers touched the packaging, I could tell it had been opened before.

Inside was a necklace adorned with flashy crystals—exactly the kind of gaudy style Cecilia preferred. A long strand of hair was even stuck to the inner lining of the box.

I laughed bitterly and tossed the necklace back onto the seat.

"What's wrong? You don't like it? I bought that especially for you," he said.

"I don't want something that someone else has already used."

His expression darkened in an instant. Anger surged into his eyes, and he snapped defensively, "What's that supposed to mean?"

I stared directly at him and said coldly, "Do I really need to spell it out for you? It disgusts me!"

He slammed a hand on the steering wheel and growled through clenched teeth. "Stop being so ridiculous! You're just imagining things!"

The anger in me was so intense that my chest tightened painfully. I took a deep breath, managing to say with difficulty, "Stop the car. Let me out."

Without a word, he abruptly hit the brakes and pulled over to the side of the road. I had barely stepped out of the car when he hit the gas and sped off without looking back.

I stood motionless. The pain in my chest lingered long after he had driven away.

Right then, faint notes of piano music drifted from the store beside me. I looked up and froze. It was a piano shop—the very one where Evan and I first met five years ago.

That day, I'd been helping a friend at her store, playing Chopin's "The Farewell Waltz".

Evan happened to walk past and was drawn in by the melody. He lingered by the doorway for a long while.

After I finished playing, he approached me. He complimented my performance and said it was exactly like a dream.

From then on, he pursued me eagerly, often mentioning our shared love for music.

Eventually, we married. For a time, our marriage was harmonious and fulfilling. I genuinely believed we'd grow old together.

But things changed after he started his own business. He asked me to leave my performances behind, support his career, and focus on our family.

Then, Cecilia appeared, and Evan transformed into someone I hardly recognized. The same man who once adored hearing me play the piano now resented even the faint sound of my practicing at home.