Chapter 2

That night, Shane never came home. He didn't return until the next evening, showing up with Amelia in tow. He walked straight in as if he owned the place.

Shane held two shopping bags and said with a smile, "Rachel, Amelia said she wants to thank us. She insisted on cooking for us herself."

Bruises were still visible on Amelia's face. "Rachel, I'm really grateful Shane helped me call the police yesterday. There's nothing I can do for him, so I thought I'd cook for him to show my gratitude."

With that, Amelia walked in as if she owned the place and headed straight into the kitchen.

Without thinking, Shane followed her. "Let me help you, just like I used to."

Amelia turned back, feigning annoyance. "You should just wait in the living room. Whenever you offer to help, you just get in the way."

However, Shane refused to leave the kitchen, lingering around shamelessly. "I can help wash the vegetables.

"Surely I can handle that, right? Come on. It's been seven years. I've got to have improved by now."

Amelia said with a smile, "Fine. Help me tie my hair up. It's in the way."

He did as he was told and helped her tie up her long hair. I could only force myself not to notice how close they were.

Not long after, Amelia came out with the food. "Dinner's ready, Rachel."

I barely tasted a thing during dinner, but Shane was all smiles. "Amelia, your cooking's just as good as before. It's been ages since I had it."

Amelia added more ribs to his plate. "I know you like my baby back ribs best, so I made them just for you. Try these. They're meatier."

Finally, Amelia noticed me. "Rachel, why aren't you eating? Is the food not to your liking?"

Shane looked up at me, and his voice was commanding. "Rachel, you should at least eat something. Amelia has spent all afternoon cooking this dinner."

I was about to say something when the doorbell rang. I opened the door and found two workers standing outside, holding a large cardboard box.

"Good evening. Your wedding photos have arrived."

I froze. Shane and I had taken those wedding photos last month. When we ordered the photos, he kept going over the delivery date again and again. He insisted he would feel better if they arrived the day after his 30th birthday.

Back then, I assumed Shane just liked a sense of occasion, but he had only asked for that because of his promise to Amelia.

After hearing what the workers said, Amelia's expression shifted. She dropped the glass she was holding, and it shattered on the floor, scattering shards everywhere. "Ah!"

Shane immediately shot up from the dining table and bent down to steady her arm. "Don't move. You'll step on the shards."

The workers were still asking, "Where should we hang these wedding photos?"

Shane didn't even bother looking up. "Hang them wherever you like. Rachel, could you just sign for the delivery?"

Shane then picked Amelia up bridal-style and carried her to the couch.

The two workers looked at me, clearly feeling awkward. "Miss…"

I stared at the cardboard box holding our wedding photos, and my eyes suddenly stung.

We had been so happy on the day those photos were taken, smiling in each other's arms.

I turned back, only to see Shane carefully disinfecting Amelia's wound. He then lifted her ankle and carefully placed a bandage over it.

So, Shane's indifference toward those photos was just so he could focus more on another woman.

I took a deep breath, forcing down the bitterness. "No need to hang them up. Just leave them in the box."