Chapter 5

The surgery was scheduled for the next morning, so I went home.

The flowers on the balcony looked especially beautiful in the evening light.

There were gardenias, roses, succulents, and hydrangeas. I had nurtured every single one of them over the years.

Audrey was always too busy to spend time with me, so I found solace in caring for my plants.

Once I left, no one would be left to tend to them. It would be a shame to let them wither.

I snapped a picture and posted it to the neighborhood group.

The caption read: I’m moving. Free plants. First come, first served.

My neighbors were more than happy to help. Within half an hour, most of the balcony was cleared.

After giving away the last pot of hydrangeas, I stood alone on the empty balcony.

Somehow, letting go was easier than I had imagined.

I turned and went into the walk-in closet.

Inside the glass cabinet were rows of watches, most of them gifts from Audrey.

I used to be overjoyed whenever she gave me one.

As I looked at them again, I could only think of the indifference on her face whenever she gave them to me, and how she had even gifted me the same style twice. It was almost laughable.

The Audrey I loved had only ever existed in my imagination.

Once the illusion shattered, I realized it had never been worth all I had given.

I photographed the watches and listed them on a resale platform.

Seven or eight of them sold in a single night.

The once-full cabinet was suddenly half empty, just like my heart.

At 10 p.m., I heard the sound of the lock turning at the door.

Audrey was back.

Her forehead was scraped, her face was bruised, and her right arm was wrapped in a thick bandage.

Ryan was helping her inside.

His eyes were red, like he had just been crying.

“Luke, the patient’s family caused a scene today. Audrey got hurt because she stepped in to protect me. Please take good care of her.”

I glanced at him and said calmly, “Stay and look after her yourself if you’re so worried.”

Ryan’s face immediately flushed.

He stammered, “Luke, that’s not what I meant… Audrey and I are just coworkers…”

Audrey’s expression immediately darkened.

“Luke, would you stop taking jabs at him?”

“What did I say?” I asked, confused.

“Ryan kindly brought me home. Why are you being sarcastic?”

She slammed the car keys onto the table, disappointment filling her eyes as she looked at me.

Ryan quickly forced a smile, though his eyes grew red with tears again.

“Audrey, don’t blame Luke. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have brought you home. I’ll leave now.”

With that, he turned and ran out.

Audrey did not hesitate for even a second before chasing after him.

The front door slammed shut behind her.

An hour later, she returned, her expression even darker than before.

She did not notice anything different about me, much less the empty balcony or the half-empty watch cabinet.

She only had one question.

“Are you happy now?”

I did not bother looking up.

“Happy about what?”

“Ryan cried the whole way home. He hasn’t done anything wrong. Why do you keep picking on him?”

I kept packing my things.

I had long since gotten used to it.

In her eyes, Ryan was always the victim, and I was the villain.

I packed away the last watch, then got to my feet. Arguing felt pointless, so I headed for the bedroom.

“Stop.”

Audrey’s voice turned cold.

“You didn’t make dinner again?”

I stopped in my tracks.

“There are ravioli and pasta in the fridge. If you really can’t manage, order takeout.”

Audrey lifted her bandaged arm, her expression hardening.

“I’m injured.”

I turned back to her with the faintest smile.

“You didn’t get hurt because of me. Why should I be the one repaying someone else’s favor?”

Audrey’s face turned livid. After a long silence, she gave a cold laugh.

“Fine. Luke, you’ve really outdone yourself.”

She marched into the study and slammed the door hard enough to rattle the walls.

I did not so much as glance up.

My surgery was the next day, so I had no interest in arguing with her.

I fell asleep almost as soon as I got into bed.

It was the soundest sleep I had had since deciding to get divorced.

Early the next morning, Evan came to pick me up.

“Are you really sure about this? You’re not staying childfree anymore?”

I looked down at my empty wrist. After a brief silence, I nodded.

“I’m sure.”

Back then, my entire world had revolved around Audrey.

I had been willing to give up my career for her, and even my chances to have children.

But in the end, none of it was worth it.

So, I was going to live a different life.

After the paperwork was completed, I was wheeled into the operating room.

The surgeon was verifying my information, and the anesthesiologist was standing by.

Just then, a familiar figure walked in.

The instant our eyes met, a chill ran down my spine.

It was Ryan.

He stood beside the surgeon, dressed in sterile surgical attire with a mask covering his face.

When he noticed me looking at him, he did not seem surprised at all. Instead, a clear trace of amusement flickered in his eyes.