Chapter 2

I asked the maid to prepare breakfast for me. Then, while eating, I started my visa application online.

Once everything was sorted, I subconsciously tapped open Samantha's Facebook page again.

She had posted two new updates.

The first one read, [You drove straight over as soon as I said I wasn't feeling well! I'm so lucky to have met you! You really love me! I love you too!]

The photo was of Theodore taken from the side as he held Samantha's hand tightly, as if he was worried she would leave him soon.

I suddenly remembered that a few years ago, I would practice the piano through the night and even forgot to eat because of work. The stomach ache was so bad that I couldn't even stand up straight. I dragged myself to the sofa before pleading with him, "Theo, can you take me to the hospital? My stomach hurts."

He didn't even glance at me as he was busy gaming. "Can you stop making a scene? How bad can it be? Just drink some water."

In the end, I called for the ambulance myself because I simply couldn't take it anymore.

When my consciousness drifted away, I thought I could hear him say, "Tsk. What a killjoy."

Turns out people really do treat others differently.

I kept on scrolling and then saw an earlier post from that morning.

The background was a hotel suite, and the table was filled with a lavish breakfast. Samantha was happily posing with a peace sign.

[He's the best! I casually mentioned I craved some shrimp and grits from Gloria Cafe, and he woke up early this morning to drive an hour just to get them for me. I fed all the leftovers to the animals!]

I knew she was secretly taking a jab at me.

After I resigned, I had always been the one making breakfast for Theodore to help him with his health. But to think that I only got something from him today because of Samantha…

I couldn't help but smile bitterly.

In the past, I thought love could overcome anything. All I needed to do was to treat him better, and Theodore would one day be able to see how much I contributed. But in the end, I overestimated my place in his heart. I also underestimated his love for Samantha.

I felt the stuffiness in my chest again as I thought about it, so I relaxed by going shopping in the afternoon.

I didn't expect to run into the people I least wanted to see.

The moment I stepped into a handbag boutique, I walked straight into Theodore and Samantha.

Samantha was still playing coy and said to Theodore sweetly, "I told you I don't need all of this, but you just keep on buying them for me! You must have spent a lot on all of this!"

I could clearly see Theodore carrying five or six shopping bags in his hands.

I recalled that when we had gone shopping, he would refuse impatiently even when I asked him to help me hold my handbag. In the end, he left me alone because he was complaining that I spent too much time.

I saw a hint of awkwardness on Theodore's face. "Why are you here? Sammy said she doesn't have enough handbags, so I'm accompanying her to look around."

Then, he added, "Is there anything you want?"

I shook my head. I lost all interest in shopping after seeing his face.

Theodore looked mildly irritated, and felt a little uneasy.

Samantha sweetly held my arm and said, "It's all thanks to Theo for helping me last time. I told him to apologize to you properly. Speaking of which, we're going for dinner now. Why don't you join us?"

Theodore also said, "Yea, join us."

I had just wanted to refuse, but he lost his patience again. "Sammy already invited you. Why are you still hesitating?"

And that was how I was forced into the backseat, squeezed in with a bunch of shopping bags.

Samantha turned and smiled. "I'm so sorry. I get carsick easily. You don't mind, do you?"

Theodore answered on my behalf, "She won't mind. It's just a ride."

But I had once told him that the passenger seat was reserved for one's girlfriend. There was even a pink sticker in front of the passenger seat that said, "Girlfriend Only".

Back then, he had stroked my hair affectionately and even said with a smile, "Sure, sure. The passenger seat is only for Elle and no one else."

Why had everything changed?

I stared blankly at the photo of them together beside the driver's seat.

There was even a small line with a heart drawn in the end. "Drive safe! Don't drive when you're tired!"

Theodore noticed my expression and tried to explain. "Sammy was worried I would doze off while driving, so she wrote this for me. If you're unhappy with it, I'll remove it later."

"It's fine," I replied indifferently.

Theodore noticed something was off about me today, so he checked on me from the rearview mirror as he drove.

But I really didn't expect him to bring me to a seafood restaurant. For once, Theodore wasn't fussing over Samantha, as he fretted over me instead.

He even opened the door for me and took my hand warmly, saying, "This restaurant is pretty good. We can come here more next time. Just tell me what you want to eat later."

I looked at him and quietly thought to myself, 'But there's no next time for us anymore. Theodore, we have no more future.'

While he told me to order, there really wasn't much I could eat. I ordered some desserts. Samantha, on the other hand, ordered plenty of seafood.

When the food was served, I simply ate my dessert. Meanwhile, Samantha tugged at Theodore's sleeve and said innocently, "Come on, apologize! She's probably only eating dessert because you're accompanying me at the hospital."

Theodore held my hand with guilt on his face. "I'm sorry, Elle. I'll make up for the marriage registration."

I pulled my hand away in annoyance. "I'm allergic to seafood. I just told you this morning."

Theodore looked embarrassed, but Samantha quickly stepped in. "I'm willing to take risks and try something exciting, even with my heart condition. Some people are just too delicate with all their allergies."

Theodore asked her to stop, but I simply looked down, as I couldn't even bother to react to her as I quietly took the last bite of my strawberry cake.

These two were so disgusting that I lost my appetite. I stood up and wanted to leave.

Theodore had just wanted to stand up and chase after me as Samantha let out a cry as she held her chest. "Ah! Theo, my heart… It's hurting again."

I looked at how Theodore was hesitating as he called out for me to stop. I didn't want to make things difficult for him, so I said, "Go. I'll be fine on my own."

Theodore picked Samantha up and hurried out of the door.

Meanwhile, Samantha gave me a provocative smile.

When Theodore came home, it was already midnight.

He wrapped his arm around my waist, nuzzling on my shoulder. "I'm so tired after getting back from the hospital. Can you make me something to eat?"

I calmly pushed him away as I kept reading my novel. "Just order DoorDash. I don't feel like it."

When Theodore heard I refused him, he thought I was upset. He pinched my face with a smile and said, "You're jealous of Samantha again? We're just friends now."

I nodded and said nothing.

His voice was slightly shaking. "Let's register our marriage tomorrow, alright? Nothing else will happen this time."

I glanced at him and said nonchalantly, "Sure."

Theodore planted a kiss on my cheek happily before playfully saying, "Honey!"

The next morning, I noticed my visa had been approved.

Meanwhile, Theodore had been called away by Samantha again. He left a message for me, "I'll see you at City Hall at ten, honey."

I let out a quiet snort and ignored the message. I quickly packed my luggage and headed to the airport. Then I blocked both of them.

Lastly, I snapped my SIM card in half and tossed it into the trash can. Then, I boarded the plane that would take me overseas.