Chapter 2

When I woke up the next morning, Sarah sat by the bed and apologized condescendingly.

“I remembered what happened yesterday. I will make up for it today. I’ll have my line cooks stay late and prepare a feast for your mom tonight.”

I sat up and looked at her. As she said that, she looked so relaxed, as if she were dealing with a minor inconvenience.

“There’s no need,” I said.

She froze for a moment, clearly not expecting me to refuse. “What?”

“Yesterday’s birthday dinner already happened at another restaurant.”

Sarah’s expression turned cold. “What do you mean by that? I said I’d make it up to you, and you’re still holding a grudge against me?”

“I’m not holding a grudge.” I pulled back the covers, stood up, and looked down at her. “I just don’t need you to do it anymore.”

She reacted as if she had just heard the biggest joke in the world. “You don’t need me to do it anymore? Do you know how many people would beg me to cook a meal for them? I already agreed to cook for you, and you’re giving me an attitude?”

The morning light fell across her, making her look strikingly beautiful. At thirty-seven, Sarah had even more allure than when she was younger. Her skin was fair, and her hair was loosely tied behind her head, revealing a slender neck.

With an apron on, she was the youngest female executive chef in the city; with it off, she was still a woman no men could take their eyes off. Yet as I looked at her now, my chest felt heavy.

To her, cooking a spread for Mom was an immense act of charity, and I was supposed to accept it with gratitude, flip the page on yesterday’s mess, and continue being her hardworking, submissive husband.

“Since you’re so busy, I won’t bother you.”

Sarah’s face darkened, and just as she was about to speak, her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID, and her expression visibly softened.

“Hello, Mark? Yeah, go ahead.” She turned around, her tone incredibly gentle and sweet.

I heard the muffled sound of a man speaking on the other end. I couldn’t make out the exact words, but his tone was familiar.

Sarah listened for a moment, her lips curving into a smile.

“Why did you go to all that trouble… Fine, fine, I’ll thank you on his behalf.”

After hanging up, she turned back around with a look on her face that practically read, “Why don’t you learn a thing or two from him?”

“Mark heard about what happened yesterday and felt really bad about it, so he has personally planned a dinner for your mom. He said we can just head straight over. Free of charge.”

I almost thought I had misheard.

Yesterday, as I stood outside the restaurant, I had seen Mark glance over in my direction with an unfathomable smile on his face. He knew I was there.

“I won’t go.” I articulated every word clearly. “Mom’s birthday was yesterday.”

“Are you ever going to let this go?” Sarah snapped. “He went out of his way to do this for you, so stop being ungrateful! As for yesterday, it was your fault for not confirming the reservation with me beforehand. I was so busy. Who would remember a random comment you mentioned in passing?”

My mouth opened, but I suddenly realized I had no idea what to say. It wasn’t that I hadn’t checked with her beforehand; it was simply that with Sarah, my affairs always came last. She would forget what I said as soon as she heard it, as though I had never said it.

“Fine.” I sighed. “If you think I’m being unreasonable, then I am.”

Sarah scoffed and said with contempt. “You finally said something sensible. Get yourself ready and come with me this afternoon. Let’s not make Mark go through all that trouble for nothing. You should learn from him about what it means to be understanding!”

She turned to put on her shoes and muttered under her breath, “Living with you is so exhausting.”

The door slammed shut with a loud bang. I stood alone in the bedroom, staring blankly into space.

It really was exhausting, and I didn’t want to keep living like this anymore either.