Chapter 2

Mandy frowned. "I'm really busy. I don't have time to play games with you."

Those words sounded familiar.

She said the same thing when my mother was in an accident and her life was in danger. It was only when I took a picture of the critical illness notice from the hospital that Mandy finally called me back.

"Mandy, I need $15,000 for my mother's hospital bill. I need you—"

Before I could finish my sentence, she interrupted me sharply. "All my money is in a fixed deposit. If I withdraw it, I’ll lose the interest. This transaction isn't worth it."

I was stunned, and I yelled madly when I snapped out of it, but her calm reply only chilled me to the bone.

"Money doesn't come easily, Mick. If you were capable enough, you could pay her bills yourself."

Mandy seemed to have forgotten her promise to me when she got on one knee to propose to me. "I'll be the family's breadwinner. All you need to do is enjoy life at home. If you had to get a job, it would just make me feel I'm not an adequate moneymaker."

She was a Venture Capital General Manager and had a strong personality, and in a marriage, someone always had to compromise for the marriage to last.

Thus, I always gave in to her. However, the result was that my mother died in the end because the payment of $15,000 was not made on time.

I looked down at my phone and scrolled to the date of my mother's death. Felix had posted a listing that night. He was selling a pair of boxers with holes in them.

Mandy had commented: [My dear, you'll only make me jealous by doing this.]

The bid started at $15,000, and Mandy bought it for $30,000.

While I was staring at my phone, Mandy's voice rang in my ear once more. "I'm going on a business trip in a month."

I looked up at her, trying to find any trace of guilt on her face, but I found nothing.

Mandy had been going on business trips for the past eight years, and I felt bad that she had to travel so much, so I packed her luggage perfectly every time for her. This time, however, I did nothing.

She noticed this but said nothing. However, she slammed the door harder than on any day before when she left the house.

Mandy claimed she was going on a business trip, but for the past eight years, she had been going on trips with Felix.

More items were put up for sale, and they were all sorts of travel souvenirs.

Felix was not mad, and Mandy continued buying everything he sold.

Other buyers started to notice something funny between them.

[Has this marketplace account turned into a flirting zone? Singles like us can't take this!]

This time, Felix put up a belt for sale. The bid started at $2, but the moment he listed it, he posted a comment.

Felix: [I forgot that this isn't for sale. I got it for my best buddy. Please don't bid on it!]

After that, he tagged Mandy.

Felix: [Get this quickly. This way, it can be your present to Mick.]

This was the only time Mandy did not bid on an item on Felix’s page.

Mandy: [That's not necessary. He's a practical guy and thinks $2 is expensive. I don't need to buy something for him only to be scolded.]

After that, Mandy bid on a suit Felix put up for $150.

Mandy: [It's still not good enough for you, no matter how expensive it is.]

After reading all their comments, I no longer hesitated and texted Mandy a message I had been editing for a long time.

Mick: [Come home. It's urgent.]

Unexpectedly, Mandy came home the next day. I thought she would ignore my message and claim she was busy.

I passed her a piece of paper. "This is the property notice, and the property owner has to sign it."

Mandy was distracted by other thoughts, and she signed without looking at the contents. She had no idea that she had just signed our divorce papers.

"Felix says he misses you and wants to have dinner at our place tomorrow. Get him his favorite lobster."

I put the divorce papers away and took the $300 she gave me. Making one meal for Felix cost more than my monthly allowance from Mandy.

No wonder Mandy came home early. It was because Felix wanted to be back early too.

Mandy went out of her way to remind me of what Felix could or could not eat, and I nodded to everything she said.

This was our last meal together.

I had accepted the job offer 2,000 miles away, and I would start work next week.

My mother was right. A man needed to have his own career.